Rodrigo de Castro Osorio facts for kids
Rodrigo de Castro Osorio was an important leader in the Catholic Church in Spain. He was born in Valladolid, Spain, on March 5, 1523, and passed away in Seville in 1600.
He held many high positions, including being a Cardinal-Bishop in Zamora and Cuenca. He also became the Archbishop of Seville. Rodrigo de Castro was a key advisor to King Philip II of Spain, serving on the King's Council of State and the Supreme Council of the Spanish Inquisition. He was the great-uncle of Pedro Fernández de Castro y Andrade, the Count of Lemos. Rodrigo de Castro had a special connection to the city of Monforte de Lemos in Galicia, where he founded a famous school called the College of Our Lady of Antigua.
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Early Life and Education
Rodrigo de Castro is often called Cardinal Rodrigo de Castro. Many people consider him one of the last great church leaders of the Renaissance. While most agree he was born in Valladolid in 1523, some details about his birthplace are debated.
He studied church law at the University of Salamanca. His brother, Pedro de Castro Lemos, also became a bishop. Rodrigo was a curious person who loved to travel. He explored many places, including Flanders, Portugal, France, Italy, and Germany. He even made a trip in 1598, just two years before he died, to welcome Margaret of Austria, who would become the Queen of Spain.
Important Roles and Interests
Rodrigo de Castro played a big part in the court of King Philip II. He was given important jobs as a diplomat, helping with relations between Spain and other countries. He also joined the Council of State of Spain, which advised the king, and the Supreme Council of the Spanish Inquisition.
The Cardinal was known for his love of grand events and beautiful things. He enjoyed expensive hunting trips and had many helpers and servants. He also loved luxury and art. One of his favorite hobbies was falconry, which is hunting with trained birds of prey. A book about falconry by Pero López de Ayala that belonged to him is still kept at the Museum of the College of Our Lady of La Antigua. Some people criticized him for surrounding himself mostly with servants and friends from his home region of Galicia.
Despite his love for luxury, Rodrigo de Castro was also very kind and cared about people. He created a home for girls who were in difficult situations. He also worked to make sure prisoners were treated more humanely. He helped poor church leaders and gave money to build and improve churches, hospitals, and places for people in need. He was also a strong supporter of the arts.
The College of Our Lady of Antigua
In 1592, after recovering from a serious illness, Rodrigo de Castro decided to start building his most important project: the College of Our Lady of Antigua. This grand school was first managed by the Society of Jesus, also known as the Jesuits. He helped financially support other Jesuit colleges and was a protector of their groups in Seville.
The school was his greatest gift to Monforte de Lemos. It is one of the few examples of the Herreran style of architecture in Galicia. The college is named after the Virgin of Antigua, whom the Cardinal deeply admired. People often call it the Cardinal College or the Company College.
Around the same time, the Cardinal also started a celebration to honor the holy relics kept in the museum of the Santa Clara convent in Monforte. His nephew, Pedro Fernández de Castro y Andrade, would later continue his uncle's love for humanism and the arts.
Death and Legacy
Rodrigo de Castro passed away in Seville in 1600. In his will, he made sure that the College of Our Lady of Antigua would always be cared for. He wrote that it was "For good and useful for my country." He also arranged for his remains to be moved to Monforte de Lemos. He is buried at the College of Our Lady of Antigua, beneath a statue created by the famous artist John of Bologna.
Sources
- Los señores de Galicia (The Lords of Galicia), Eduardo Pardo de Guevara y Valdés, ISBN: 84-89748-71-3
- History of Monforte de Lemos and Earth, Vazquez Germain, ISBN: 84-241-9865-4
- Pedro Fernandez de Castro, O Great Conde de Lemos, Monica Martinez Garcia, ISBN: 84-453-3763-7
- The Cardinal, Don Rodrigo de Castro, Armando Cotarelo Vallador, 2 vols. Editorial Teaching Spanish, Madrid, 1945.
See also
In Spanish: Rodrigo de Castro Osorio para niños
