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New Kingdom of León

Nuevo Reino de León  (Spanish)
1582–1821
Flag of New Kingdom of León
Cross of Burgundy,
flag of New Spain.
Coat of arms of New Kingdom of León
Coat of arms
Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1819.
Viceroyalty of New Spain in 1819.
Status Spanish colony
Capital Monterrey
Common languages Spanish
Religion
Roman Catholicism
Government Monarchy
King of Spain  
• January 16, 1556 - September 13, 1598
Philip II
• 1813–1821
Ferdinand VII
Royal Governor  
• 1580–1588
Luis de Carabajal y Cueva
• 1795–1810
Simón de Herrera y Leyva
Historical era Colonial era
• Established
1582
• Disestablished
1821
Population
• 1790
43,739
Currency Spanish colonial real
Succeeded by
First Mexican Empire
Today part of Mexico

The New Kingdom of León (called Nuevo Reino de León in Spanish) was a special area that belonged to the Spanish Empire. It was like a colony, and it was managed by the Viceroyalty of New Spain, which was a big Spanish government in the Americas. This kingdom was located in what is now the northeastern part of Mexico, mainly where the state of Nuevo León is today.

How the Kingdom Started

The New Kingdom of León was created in 1582. At that time, Philip II was the King of Spain and its many colonies. He wanted to explore and settle more of the northern parts of New Spain.

He gave permission to create a new "realm" or kingdom. This new place was named Nuevo Reyno de León, which means "New Kingdom of León." It was named after an older kingdom in Spain called the Kingdom of León.

Philip II chose a person named Luis de Carabajal y Cueva to be the first governor and captain-general of this new area. Starting this kingdom was a very important step. It helped the Spanish create more settlements, even reaching as far as Texas later on.

Languages Spoken

The main language spoken by the Spanish settlers was the Spanish language. However, some people who came from the original Kingdom of León in Spain also spoke a language called Leonese language. Over time, this Leonese language mixed with Spanish in the New World.

History of the Kingdom

New Kingdom of Leon DavidRumseyCollection
Map of the former provinces of New Spain, showing the New Kingdom of León (highlighted in green).

Even though the New Kingdom of León was part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain, it often managed its own affairs. This was because its main cities were very far from the capital of the Viceroyalty.

Over time, the New Kingdom of León developed a shared culture with its neighboring areas. In 1776, it became part of a larger group of provinces called the Commandancy General of the Provincias Internas. This group was semi-autonomous, meaning it had some self-rule.

Later, in 1786, this group split into three smaller commands. The New Kingdom of León became part of the Eastern Internal Provinces (Provincias Internas de Oriente). This group also included the provinces of Coahuila, Tejas, and Nuevo Santander. The New Kingdom of León remained part of this command until 1821.

In 1821, Mexico declared its independence from Spain. The New Kingdom of León, along with the rest of Mexico, became an independent republic.

What It Is Today

After Mexico became independent from Spain, the territory of the Nuevo Reyno de León changed its name. It became the "Estado Libre y Soberano de Nuevo León," which means the 'Free and Sovereign State of New León.' This is the state of Nuevo León that we know in Mexico today.

See also

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