Jorge de Alvarado facts for kids

Jorge de Alvarado y Contreras was a Spanish conquistador. He was born around 1480 in Badajoz, Extremadura, Spain. He died in Madrid in 1540 or 1541. Jorge was the brother of Pedro de Alvarado, who was a more famous conquistador.

Who Was Jorge de Alvarado?

Jorge de Alvarado came from a noble family in Badajoz, Spain. His father, Gómez de Alvarado y Mexía de Sandoval, held many important titles. These included Commander of Lobón and Alcalde of Montánchez. He was also a General for the Spanish border with Portugal.

In 1510, Jorge traveled to Hispaniola (an island in the Caribbean) with his brothers. His older brothers were Pedro and Gonzalo. His younger brothers were Gómez, Hernando, and Juan. Their uncle, Diego de Alvarado, also joined them.

Adventures in the New World

Jorge de Alvarado was one of the people who helped conquer Mexico and Guatemala. He worked alongside his brother Pedro. He became the Lieutenant-Governor of Guatemala under his brother.

To gain support from local groups, Jorge married a daughter of Xicotencatl I. Xicotencatl I was the ruler of Tizatlan in Tlaxcala. His wife was baptized with the Spanish name doña Lucía. They had a daughter named Francisca de Alvarado. She later married another conquistador, Francisco Xiron Manuel.

Jorge de Alvarado helped establish new cities. In 1527, he founded Santiago de los Caballeros in Guatemala. The next year, in 1528, he founded the city of San Salvador.

Like his brother, Jorge married twice. His first wife was Francisca Girón. In 1526, he married Luisa de Estrada. She was likely related to the wife of Francisco Vázquez de Coronado, another famous explorer. Jorge and Luisa had a son named Jorge de Alvarado y Estrada. This son was born in Mexico. He later married Catalina de Villafañe y Carvajal. Their son, also named Jorge de Alvarado y Villafañe, became the Governor and Captain-General of Honduras. He was also a Knight of the Order of Santiago.

See also

In Spanish: Jorge de Alvarado para niños