Juan Pacheco facts for kids
Juan Pacheco, 1st Duke of Escalona (born in 1419 – died October 1, 1474), also known as Juan Pacheco, Marquess of Villena, was a very powerful noble in Castile (modern-day Spain). His family came from Portugal. He became important during the last years of King Juan II's rule. Later, he was the main person in charge of the government when King Henry IV, Juan II's son, became king. In 1472, he was given the title of the first Duke of Escalona. He also held other important titles, like Marquess of Villena and Master of the Order of Santiago, which was a group of knights.
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Juan Pacheco's Early Life and Rise to Power
Juan Pacheco was the son of Alfonso Téllez Girón y Vázquez de Acuña and María Pacheco. His family, originally from Portugal, had moved to Castile after a big battle in 1385 called the Battle of Aljubarrota. They owned important places like the Alcázar in Seville and later the Castle of Belmonte. Juan Pacheco built the Castle of Belmonte in 1456 after he became Marquess of Villena.
When he was young, Juan Pacheco worked as a page (a young helper) for a powerful leader named Àlvaro de Luna. Àlvaro de Luna later brought Juan to the royal court to serve Prince Henry, who would become King Henry IV.
Juan Pacheco became a trusted friend of Prince Henry. This friendship continued when Henry became King Henry IV. Juan Pacheco helped make many big political decisions for the country. By January 1442, when he was 22, he had become the prince's chamberlain, which was a very high position in the prince's household. That same year, he gained control of lands in Moguer through his marriage to María Portocarrero.
Important Titles and Agreements
In 1445, after the first Battle of Olmedo, Juan Pacheco was given the title of Marquess of Villena. This was the very first time a king in Castile gave someone the title of Marquess. He also arranged for his brother, Pedro Girón, to become the leader (Master) of another knightly group called the Order of Calatrava.
When a conflict started between King John II and Prince Henry, Juan Pacheco helped the prince make peace. He worked with Àlvaro de Luna, who represented the king. This agreement helped both Juan Pacheco and Àlvaro de Luna.
Juan Pacheco earned other important government roles, such as Adelantado of Castile from 1451 to 1456. He was also made Master of the Order of Santiago in 1467 by Prince Alfonso. Prince Alfonso had been declared king by some Castilian nobles in an event known as the Farce of Ávila.
Alliances and Later Life
In 1463, Juan Pacheco offered his help to France. This alliance helped France surround its enemy, the kingdom of Aragón. To show their thanks, King Louis XI of France promised that his daughter, Joanna, would marry Juan Pacheco's youngest son, Pedro de Portocarrero. The King of Aragón reacted by trying to become friends with Castile. He promised his son Fernando to Juan Pacheco's daughter, Beatriz, to break the alliance between Castile and France.
In 1466, Juan Pacheco's nephew, Rodrigo Téllez Girón, was chosen to be the Master of the Order of Calatrava. Since Rodrigo was still young, Juan Pacheco became his guardian. In 1469, Juan Pacheco was given the role of coadjutor of the order. This meant he had almost all the same powers as the Master. Some writers from that time even said he was the Master of Calatrava, in addition to being the Master of Santiago.
In 1469, Princess Isabella, who was King Henry IV's half-sister, married Ferdinand of Aragón. She did this against the king's wishes and broke earlier agreements. This event started the War of the Castilian Succession. In this war, Juan Pacheco supported Princess Juana, who was King Henry IV's daughter.
Juan Pacheco passed away on October 4, 1474, in Santa Cruz, near Trujillo. He died from a throat illness, shortly before King Henry IV also died. Before his death, King Henry confirmed that Juan Pacheco's son, Diego López Pacheco, would become the new Marquess of Villena.
Juan Pacheco's Family
Juan Pacheco, the first Duke of Escalona, was married three times. His first wife was Angelina de Luna, who was a cousin of the powerful leader Àlvaro de Luna. This marriage was later cancelled in 1442.
Soon after, he married María Enríquez Portocarrero (who died in 1470). María became the Marchioness of Villena in 1445. The church officially approved their marriage and recognized their children in 1456.
The children from this marriage were:
- Diego López Pacheco y Portocarrero, who took over his father's titles, including the 2nd Duke of Escalona.
- Pedro de Portocarrero, who inherited lands from his mother's family.
- Francisca de Pacheco, who married Íñigo López de Mendoza y Quiñones.
- Beatriz Pacheco, who married Rodrigo Ponce de León, Marquess of Cádiz, around 1490.
- Maria de Pacheco, who married Rodrigo Alonso Pimentel IV, Count and Duke of Benavente.
- Luis de Pacheco.
- Lope de Pacheco.
- Juana de Pacheco.
After María Enríquez passed away, Juan Pacheco married María de Velasco. They had one daughter:
- Mencia Pacheco, who married Diego de Cardenas Enríquez, the first Duke of Maqueda.
Juan Pacheco also had several children outside of his marriages. He had two children, Juan and Isabel Pacheco, with Catalina Alonso Urueña. King Henry IV officially recognized them as his children on April 25, 1456. He also had four other children—Alonso, Rodrigo, Beatriz, and Leonor—with an unknown woman.
| Preceded by Alfonso of Castile |
Grand Master of the Order of Santiago 1467–1474 |
Succeeded by Alonso de Cárdenas |
| Preceded by Ruy Díaz de Mendoza |
Grand Master of the King's House 1454–1472 |
Succeeded by Diego López de Pacheco y Portocarrero |
| Spanish nobility | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by New creation |
Duke of Escalona 1472–1474 |
Succeeded by Diego López de Pacheco |
See also
In Spanish: Juan Pacheco para niños
- Pedro de Portocarrero (conquistador)
