Juan de Zúñiga y Pimentel facts for kids
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Juan de Zúñiga y Pimentel (1465–1504) was an important Spanish leader in the Catholic Church. He became a bishop and later a cardinal. He was also a brave knight and a dedicated student.
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Juan de Zúñiga y Pimentel: A Spanish Leader
Juan de Zúñiga y Pimentel was born in Béjar, Spain, in 1465. His father was Álvaro de Zúñiga y Guzmán, the Duke of Plasencia, and his mother was Leonor de Pimentel. His family, the House of Zúñiga, was very powerful.
Early Life and Knighthood
From a young age, Juan was interested in military life and fighting. On January 23, 1475, he became the Grand Master of the Order of Alcántara. This was a very important position for a knightly order in Spain.
Spain was at war during this time, trying to take back land from the Moors in what was called the Reconquista. Juan de Zúñiga played a part in important battles and sieges, including those at Málaga, Baeza, and Granada.
A Time for Study and Faith
On November 20, 1494, Juan decided to leave his role as Grand Master. He moved to Villanueva de la Serena. There, he had a monastery built and lived a quiet life with other former knights. They followed the rules of Saint Benedict, focusing on prayer and study.
During this time, Juan became a serious student. He learned Latin from a famous scholar named Antonio de Nebrija. He studied law with Gutierre de Trejo and Christian theology (the study of religious beliefs) with Father Domingo. He also gained a "prebend," which was a payment from the Burgos Cathedral.
Becoming a Church Leader
In 1502, the King and Queen of Spain, known as the Catholic Monarchs, chose Juan to become the Archbishop of Seville. An archbishop is a very high-ranking bishop who leads a large area of churches. He accepted this important role and was officially elected on May 5, 1503. He began his duties in Seville in June 1504.
The Catholic Monarchs also wanted Juan to become a cardinal. A cardinal is a senior leader in the Catholic Church, chosen by the Pope. Pope Julius II agreed and made him a cardinal priest on November 29, 1503. He received his special cardinal's church, called a "titular church," on December 6, 1503. He also received his "red hat," a symbol of a cardinal, with a special letter from the Pope on February 24, 1504.
His Final Journey
On July 17, 1504, Juan de Zúñiga left Seville to travel to the royal court. However, he became very ill during his journey. He passed away on July 26, 1504, at the monastery of Santa María de Guadalupe in the Province of Cáceres.
He was first buried there. But in 1533, his remains were moved to the monastery of San Vicente de Ferrer in Plasencia. This monastery had been founded by his own mother.
