Juan II Coloma, 1st Lord of Elda facts for kids
Juan II Coloma (who died in 1517) was an important official in the Spanish royal court. He was also known as Mosen Coloma. He became the first Lord of Elda, Salinas, and Petrer, and the second Lord of Alfajarin.
Contents
Juan Coloma's Family
Juan Coloma was born into the House of Coloma. His father was Juan I Coloma, who was the first Lord of Alfajarin.
Juan II Coloma married twice. His first wife was Dona Isabel Díez de Aux. After she passed away, he married Dona María Pérez Calvillo. She was a wealthy lady from Malon and Bisimbre. Her family had converted to Christianity.
Juan Coloma had one son, born in 1500, named Juan III Francisco Coloma. His son later became the third Lord of Alfajarin and the second Lord of Elda, Salinas, and Petrer. Juan also had an illegitimate daughter who became the head of a monastery for nuns called the Poor Clares in Zaragozza. Juan Coloma was buried in the monastery that he helped to build.
Juan Coloma's Career
When Juan Coloma was young, he went to work at the royal court of Juan II de Aragón, the King of Aragon. He became a trusted friend and helper to the king. From 1462, he served as the king's royal secretary, handling important papers and messages. He held this job until 1479.
His career continued when King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella came to power. He traveled with the royal court during the war to take back Granada. During this time, he helped create a very important document called the Alhambra Decree.
Juan Coloma was also asked for his advice about setting up the Holy Inquisition in Aragon. He even traveled to France as a royal diplomat to meet with King Charles VIII.
Helping Christopher Columbus
At the request of the King and Queen, Juan Coloma helped set the rules for Columbus to get royal support for his famous journey. In 1491, he finished the important document that gave Columbus the official approval he needed. This document was known as the Capitulations of Santa Fe.
King Ferdinand was very thankful for Juan Coloma's work. In 1506, the King gave noble status to Juan's first wife. However, Juan wanted to become even more important. In 1512, he bought the lands of Elda, Salinas, and Petrer, which made him a Baron. This allowed his family to rise higher in the Spanish nobility.
After King Ferdinand died in 1506, Juan Coloma retired to his palace in Zaragoza. He became the second lord of Alfajarin. He then moved back to Borja, where he passed away.
Juan Coloma's Memorial
In 2017, a group called the Centro de Estudios Borjanos organized "Año Coloma" (Year of Coloma). This event honored Juan Coloma on the 500th anniversary of his death.
See also
- Treaty of Barcelona
- Alhambra Decree
- Capitulations of Santa Fe
