Lope Díez de Armendáriz, 1st Marquess of Cadreita facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent
The Marquess of Cadreita
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| Viceroy of New Spain | |
| In office September 16, 1635 – August 27, 1640 |
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| Monarch | Philip IV |
| Prime Minister | Count-Duke of Olivares |
| Preceded by | Rodrigo Pacheco |
| Succeeded by | Diego López Pacheco |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1575 Quito, Ecuador |
| Died | c. 1640 or after Madrid, Spain |
Lope Díez de Aux de Armendáriz, the 1st Marquess of Cadreita, was an important Spanish nobleman. He was born around 1575 in Quito, which is now part of Ecuador. He was the first person born in the Americas (a Criollo) to become the Viceroy of New Spain. He served as Viceroy from September 16, 1635, to August 27, 1640. He passed away in Madrid, Spain, around 1640 or later.
Contents
Lope Díez de Armendáriz grew up in Peru. His father was a high-ranking official in Quito. He made sure Lope received a good education for a career in the navy.
Lope became a skilled naval commander. He led groups of ships that protected merchant vessels and treasure ships. These ships traveled from the Americas to Spain. In April 1633, he successfully led a fleet. This fleet helped remove the Dutch from the island of Saint Martin.
Becoming Viceroy of New Spain
On April 19, 1635, King Philip IV of Spain chose Lope Díez de Armendáriz to be the Viceroy of New Spain. A Viceroy was like a governor who ruled a large area for the king.
Lope officially arrived in Mexico City on September 16, 1635. He then began his important duties.
Protecting Mexico City from Floods
One of Lope's first big tasks was to continue building drainage systems. These systems were very important to protect Mexico City from constant floods. He also had to fix damage from recent flooding.
On January 17, 1637, an earthquake hit the area. It damaged some of the drainage structures, especially a tunnel called La Quemada. Lope asked two experts for advice on what to do.
In March of the next year, they suggested building a new canal. This canal would replace the damaged tunnel. Lope worked with the city government and other groups. They approved building a canal in a large natural crack called Nochistongo. This new canal greatly helped control floods. Later, the independent government of Mexico expanded it even more.
Laws and Protection
On April 22, 1639, a special order from Pope Urban VIII was issued. This order said that slavery was not allowed in Latin America. King Philip IV then banned the slavery of Indigenous people in New Spain. However, the slavery of Black people was still allowed to continue.
To protect people in the New Kingdom of León (now Nuevo León) from raids, Lope ordered new forts to be built. These forts were called presidios. He ordered one presidio at Cadereyta and another fort with the same name in Querétaro. He also sent an expedition to California.
Improving the City and Defenses
Lope Díez de Armendáriz ordered the cleaning of the city's drainage ditches and canals. He also helped establish the Hospital Espíritu Santo and the San Bernardo convent.
He created the Armada de Barlovento, a special navy fleet based in Veracruz. This fleet patrolled the Gulf coast. Its job was to protect ports and ships from pirates.
Lope Díez de Armendáriz handed over his role as Viceroy to his successor, Diego López Pacheco, on August 28, 1640.
See also
In Spanish: Lope Díez de Aux y Armendáriz para niños
