Luis Fajardo (Spanish Navy officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don
Luis Fajardo
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| Born | c. 1556 Murcia, Spain |
| Died | 21 May 1617 (aged 60–61) Madrid, Spain |
| Allegiance |  Spanish Empire |
| Service/ |
Spanish Navy |
| Rank | Captain General |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars |
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Luis Fajardo y Ruíz de Avendaño (around 1556 – 21 May 1617), also known as Luis Fajardo, was a famous Spanish admiral and nobleman. He had an amazing career in the Spanish Navy. Many people saw him as one of the best Spanish military leaders during the reigns of King Philip II and King Philip III.
He held important jobs in the navy. He led many military missions against English, Dutch, French, and Barbary forces. These battles took place in the Atlantic, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. He is especially famous for taking over La Mamora in 1614. Because he came from a noble family, he also had important titles. These included Adelantado of Murcia and Knight of the Order of Calatrava.
About Luis Fajardo's Life
Luis Fajardo was born in Murcia, Spain, around 1556. His father was Luis Fajardo y de la Cueva. He was the 2nd Marquis of Los Vélez and a Grandee of Spain. Luis's mother was Ana Ruiz de Avendaño y Alarcón.
Because Luis was born outside of marriage, he did not have the same social standing as his father's other children at first. But as he became a successful naval officer, his social status grew. His powerful family, the House of Los Vélez, also supported him. Luis was also his mother's only child and heir.
His father later officially recognized Luis as his son. This good relationship with his father and family helped him. He was able to marry a noblewoman named Luisa de Tenza, Lady of Espinardo. They had three children together. Their children's marriages also helped Luis's family gain more land and power in the Murcia area.
His oldest son was Alonso Fajardo de Tenza. Alonso became the governor and captain general of the Philippines in 1616. His second son was Juan Fajardo de Tenza. Juan joined his father on military missions and also became an admiral. He later became the governor of Galicia.
Luis also had a daughter named Mencía Fajardo de Tenza. In 1609, she married Juan Antonio Usodemar Narváez. Luis also had another son, named Luis, with a different woman. This son went with his brother Alonso to the Philippines.
Luis Fajardo started his military career very young. He joined his father and brother Diego to help stop the Alpujarras Revolt (1568–1571). He was only thirteen years old when he carried his father's flag in 1569. Later that year, he helped defend the towns of Oria and Cantoria from attack.
He began his naval career in the Spanish Navy when he was still young. By 1593, he was serving under Francisco Coloma. Coloma was the captain general of the Armada de Tierra Firme. Fajardo helped move silver from the Azores Islands with a fleet of 12 ships. The next year, he became an overseer of the Armada de Tierra Firme. He then took over Coloma's position.
In 1597, he inspected Cádiz after the city was attacked by English and Dutch forces. The king also asked him to lead the investigation into who was responsible for the disaster.
In 1598, Fajardo became captain general of the Armada de la Guardia de la Flota de Indias. His main job was to protect the Spanish treasure fleet from privateers. This was a very important and dangerous task for the Spanish Empire. He continued this mission until he died.
In 1600, Fajardo told the king that it would be good to have galleys in Cartagena de Indias. Between 1601 and 1602, he fought several battles against English and combined Anglo-Dutch fleets. He successfully defended the Spanish treasure fleet each time. In one battle, his fleet of seven ships faced 20 enemy ships. He managed to damage the enemy's main ship and capture two others.
In November 1604, he became captain general of the Armada del Mar Océano. This fleet protected the Atlantic coast of Spain and the Strait of Gibraltar. This was also the route for the Spanish treasure fleet. He often fought against Dutch, English, or French privateers, even near America.
In 1605, Fajardo led a mission to the Caribbean, specifically to Araya. There, he surprised and attacked a fleet of Dutch smugglers and privateers. They were illegally taking salt from the area. Fajardo completely destroyed their fleet. This greatly hurt the Dutch salt industry.
After this attack, he spent a short time in the Caribbean chasing privateers. Then he returned to Spain. The next year, he defeated the Dutch Admiral Willem Haultain at the Battle of Cape San Vicente. This victory helped lift the blockade of the Spanish-Portuguese coast. It also allowed the Spanish treasure fleet to arrive safely that year.
By 1607, his son Juan began helping him lead the Armada del Mar Océano. In May 1609, Fajardo reported to the king about problems with Spanish ships. The ships were rotting because the wood was not treated correctly.
During the time of the Pax Hispanica (Spanish Peace), Fajardo spent a lot of time in eastern Spain. He worked to fight the growing threat of Anglo-Barbary piracy in the Mediterranean. He tried to catch famous pirates like Zymen Danseker and Jack Ward.
In June 1609, Fajardo led a mission to the Barbary Coast to chase the pirate Danseker. He reached the Tunisian coast. There, he attacked the strong port of La Goulette. He destroyed and captured all the ships there. This showed how strong the Spanish navy was against pirates. Then, he helped with the expulsion of the Moorish people from Spain.
In 1612, some of Fajardo's ships captured a French privateer's ship. This ship was carrying all the old books from the Zaydani Library. These books belonged to the Moroccan Sultan Muley Zidan. The Spanish Crown did not return the books. They became part of the Royal Library of El Escorial.
In August 1614, Fajardo led a large mission of almost 100 ships and 5,000 soldiers. With this force, he conquered La Mamora. This military action brought him great fame. He did not lose any soldiers during the attack. Taking over La Mamora stopped pirates from using it as a safe place. It also prevented the Dutch from taking control of this important location.
In his last years, he continued to lead the Armada del Mar Océano. He fought several naval battles along the Spanish Atlantic coast. Luis Fajardo died on 21 May 1617. Fadrique de Toledo, 1st Marquess of Valdueza took over his command.
See also
In Spanish: Luis Fajardo y Chacón para niños
Sources
