Tegueste (mencey) facts for kids
Tegueste or Tegueste II was an important Guanche leader, also known as a mencey (king). He ruled the area called Menceyato de Tegueste on the island of Tenerife during the 1400s, when Europeans were trying to take control of the island.
Contents
Tegueste's Role in the Conquest
In 1494, a group of European soldiers led by Alonso Fernández de Lugo arrived in Tenerife. Tegueste decided to join forces with another powerful Guanche king named Bencomo. Their goal was to stop the Europeans from taking over their island. Tegueste brought about 1,200 of his warriors to help fight.
Early Battles and Victories
In early 1495, some European soldiers went to an area called La Laguna. They were looking for cattle. A Guanche woman told them that many Guanches were sick with an illness. The soldiers then explored the valley of Tegueste and took some cattle from a place called Tejina.
As they were returning to La Laguna, Tegueste and another leader named Zebenzuí surrounded them. This happened in a spot known as Las Peñuelas. The Guanches won this fight, and the European leader, Gonzalo del Castillo, was captured. Tegueste sent him to King Bencomo.
Surrender and Unknown Fate
By the spring of 1496, the Guanches had suffered many defeats. Important Guanche kings like Bencomo, Tinguaro, and Bentor had been lost. Because of this, Tegueste decided to surrender his kingdom to the Europeans. This event is known as the Paz de Los Realejos (Peace of Los Realejos).
Later that same year, Tegueste was taken to mainland Spain by the European captain. He went with six other Guanche kings to meet the Catholic Monarchs. What happened to Tegueste after this is not fully known. Some historians think he might have been made a slave. Others believe he was set free and protected by the monarchs, but far from his home island. It is also possible that he was one of the kings the Catholic Monarchs gave to the Republic of Venice in 1496.
See also
In Spanish: Tegueste II para niños
