The Last Conquistador

by Stuart Stirling

  Luis Sánchez: Aged over 50. Origin unknown. Illiterate.

  Melchor Bravo de Saravia: Judge. Aged 50. Castilian.

  Hernán González de la Torre: Aged 48. Andalusian. Literate.

  Ordoño de Valencia: Aged 30. Origin unknown. Literate.

  Lucas Martínez Vegazo: Aged 49. Estremaduran. Able to sign his name.

  * Though each witness appears grossly to exaggerate the number of Indian warriors, having never before seen such multitudes, it would nevertheless have been impossible for them to give an accurate assessment.

  * All the witnesses refer to Jauja as the city of the kings so as to indicate that it was the first capital of the governorship, a name later given to Lima because of its foundation on the Feast of the Epiphany.

  * The probable figure was between 100,000 and 200,000, a number of whom would have been porters.

  * Caudillo means military leader.

  * Chuquichaca bridge across the Urubamba River.

  * Gómez de Mazuelas, Francisco de Montenegro.

  APPENDIX 3

  INCA TESTIMONIES, CUZCO, 1561

  In 1561 the Conquistador’s son Juan Serra de Leguizamón also presented his Probanza de Méritos to the Audiencia of Lima at Cuzco, addressed to King Philip II. Archivo General de Indias, Seville, Lima 205. The transcription is by Josefa García Tovar and the translation is by the author. The numbers in brackets refer to item statements. Among his witnesses a number of Incas and Indians of Cuzco gave testimony on his behalf in their native quéchua (they are listed at the end of this appendix). The following are extracts from their testimonies relating to Juan’s mother the Coya Doña Beatriz and to his cousin the Inca Sayri Túpac.

  Juan Serra de Leguizamón: [12 January 1561, Lima] Most powerful Lord, I, Juan Serra de Leguizamón, declare I am the grandson of Huayna Cápac, once lord and king of these realms, and son of Doña Beatriz Yupanqui, his legitimate daughter, and desiring as I do to beg your royal person to favour me in my need. And I ask of Your Highness that in accordance with your royal ordinances the following questions be put to the witnesses I present: (2) If it be known to them that Huayna Cápac Yupanqui was king and lord of these realms of Peru, of its mountains and valleys, from Chile as far as the lands of Pastu, and that among his many children born to him was my mother Doña Beatriz Yupanqui. And that at the time of her birth at Surampalli in his domain of Tumibamba he gave her for her guardian and service the Cacique Cariapasa, Lord of the Lupaca, for being his legitimate daughter of his queen, mother of Huáscar Inca who was later to succeed him as king and lord of Cuzco; and that ever since the death of Huayna Cápac she has been obeyed and honoured as his legitimate daughter by all the Indians and native lords of these realms.

  Don Juan Sona: It is publicly held and commonly known that Doña Beatriz Yupanqui was born there and that she is the daughter of Huayna Cápac; and this is known to me, being as I am the principal cacique of the orejones, and as such she is obeyed and respected by myself and all the Indians of this land.

  Don Diego Cayo: It is the truth that Huayna Cápac was king and lord of these lands; for when he lived all his laws and commands were obeyed; and it is publicly known that Doña Beatriz was born at Surampalli which is in the province of Tumibamba, and that she is the daughter of Huayna Cápac, for since her birth until the present time she has always been obeyed and respected as daughter of that lord, and this witness has always obeyed her and respected her as such.

  Pastac: It is so that Doña Beatriz Yupanqui was born in the lodgings at Surampalli and that she is the daughter of Huayna Cápac: for I witnessed her birth, and because of which great feasting was ordered, being as she was the daughter of so great a lord, the feasting lasting for ten days and ten nights. And from that time to this very day she has been obeyed and honoured because of her birth which I witnessed, having accompanied and served Huayna Cápac in his wars from this city of Cuzco to his seat of Surampalli.

  Mazma: I went with Huayna Cápac from this city to his seat of Surampalli at the time of the war, and in which I served the Inca; and there I witnessed the birth of Doña Beatriz Yupanqui, among the other daughters born to him at that season; and after her birth and in the presence of Huayna Cápac I saw him order Cariapasa to serve his daughter Doña Beatriz and to be her guardian, for Cariapasa was a warrior chief of many people.

  Juan Serra de Leguizamón: (3) If it is known to them that as Doña Beatriz Yupanqui was the legitimate daughter of Huayna Cápac she inherited the rank of his legitimate wife, her mother, who was also the mother of Huáscar Inca, who was later king. And that in her house she sheltered and raised all the granddaughters of Huayna Cápac, daughters of Manco Inca, the father of Sayri Túpac; and because of which a great many calamities were averted at the time Manco Inca was in rebellion.

  Mazma: After the death of the mother of Doña Beatriz this witness saw her inherit the rank of her mother, and I have seen the Indians of all the regions and nations show her their obedience and respect as daughter of the lord and king.

  Don Martín Napti Yupanqui: I have witnessed Doña Beatriz raise two daughters of Manco Inca, her brother, the one called Usezino, and the other Ancacica.

  Pastac: I witnessed two daughters of Manco Inca raised since they were very young by Doña Beatriz Yupanqui in her house; and it is common knowledge that Manco Inca was her brother.

  Juan Serra de Leguizamón: (4) If it be known to them that the Licentiate Vaca de Castro, Governor of these realms, like all the other governors before and after him, attempted in every manner to entice the Inca [Manco] to make peace, and this they were not able to do because of the Inca’s death; and that his son Sayri Túpac was his heir, and that he remained [in the Andes] with all the people and warrior chiefs of his father.

  Chasca: What I know of this is that the Adelantado Don Diego de Almagro, who was Governor of these realms, sent various persons to speak to Manco Inca, though I do not know to what effect; though at the time I was there, as one of Manco Inca’s warriors with the rest of his people he had prepared for war. And at the time of Manco Inca’s death he left as his heir Don Diego Sayri Túpac Inca, his son, who succeeded him in his sovereignty and to the same people he had with him in his rebellion.

  Don García Suma Yupanqui: It was at the time publicly known that Vaca de Castro attempted with great effort and manner to bring Manco Inca in peace: for many Incas of this city went to the Andes [Vilcabamba] to see him on the orders of Vaca de Castro, the Governor.

  Juan Serra de Leguizamón: (5) That after the death of Manco Inca no Spaniard was able to enter the Inca Sayri Túpac’s domain in order to ask him to leave there in peace other than Francisco de Pino, guardian of the sons of Don Paullu Inca, and only with a safe conduct and accompanied by Martín the tongue [translator], at the time of the President Gasca; and that he was not able to achieve anything with him.

  Chasca: All the time Manco Inca and his son Sayri Túpac were in rebellion in the Andes I accompanied them until the time we left there in peace; but when Francisco de Pino and Don Martín came there Sayri Túpac was at war. And they entered and met with the Inca to ask him to leave there in peace; and the Inca sent me and other chiefs of his to the President [Gasca] to tell him that he would come in peace, but to ask of him where he would live; and this witness and the other chiefs spoke to the President who told us that if he left there within three months he would give him the Indians that had belonged to Huayna Cápac and some houses and estate in Pomacorca [in the valley of Písac] and lands in Mayo, in this valley called Guancaro. And thus I told the Inca of what the President had ordered me to say, and the Inca was then about to leave with all his people but for one principal Christian captain who told him that he was too young, and that he should not leave until he was much older, and for that reason he did not leave.

  Guasco: It is true, because I saw Francisco de Pino and Don Martín the tongue at the time they went there on behalf of the President, and that Sayri Túpac did not leave there because a captain of his called Supa i
mpeded him because the Inca was very young at the time Pino was with him, and nothing came of this.

  Juan Serra de Leguizamón: (6) The Lord Viceroy [Marqués de Cañete] tried to send many persons to enter the Andes where Sayri Túpac was, so as to persuade him to leave there in peace, and no one wished to go there except for two friars of Santo Domingo and Juan de Betanzos, the translator; but no one was allowed to enter there other than myself.

  Chasca: What I know of this is that as I was at the time with Sayri Túpac Inca in the Andes and at war, I saw the Friar Melchor and another friar companion of his, and also Juan de Betanzos, and that they went to where the Inca was, but he did not wish Betanzos or any other person to enter where he was, and so the friars went ahead alone, and Betanzos returned [to Cuzco].

  Guasco: I was in the company of Sayri Túpac at war in the Andes, and I witnessed that a friar called Melchor de los Reyes and Juan de Betanzos go there, but the Inca only let the friar enter.

  Juan Serra de Leguizamón: (7–8) If it is known to them that I was involved in the treaties and negotiations with the Lord Viceroy and the Inca, and that I came and went three times to the Viceroy, until after much persuasion on my part I was able to bring the Inca from there in peace, together with his warrior chiefs and lords: and because of which the roads and regions of that part of the Andes are now tranquil and free from war.

  Paucar Yupanqui: As a warrior in the service of the Inca Sayri Túpac, in his company I saw Juan Serra enter [Vilcabamba], and as he was his first cousin the Inca received him well, and also out of respect to his mother Doña Beatriz Yupanqui, his aunt. And also entered there the Friar Melchor. And I heard Juan Serra say to Sayri Túpac that if he left [Vilcabamba] the Viceroy the Marqués de Cañete would give him many Indians and houses for his people and many clothes and other goods, so that he would be content; and all this Juan Serra told him many times and in my presence, and I also heard him say the same to his warrior chiefs. I further witnessed Juan Serra take part in the treaty and discussions with Sayri Túpac; and the Inca sent him twice to the Lord Marqués with regard to his leaving [Vilcabamba], and Juan Serra came two times to see the Inca, bringing with him payment and presents.

  Guasco: When Juan Serra entered there he was received very well by Sayri Túpac as his cousin and out of respect to his mother Doña Beatriz Yupanqui; for this I witnessed with my own eyes as I was in the company of the Inca, who I heard tell him to say to the Viceroy that if he wished to speak to him of his leaving he would only do so through Juan Serra and that he would not allow anyone else to enter there. It is also true that Juan Serra travelled from there to see the Viceroy one or two times, and I myself witnessed him persuade the Inca to leave, promising him and his captains many things, all of which I saw him do with great effort. It is also true that before then the Inca’s warriors had been commanded to attack the roads and rob the travellers of that region, all of which ceased after he left.

  Don Martín Napti Yupanqui: On several occasions I heard Sayri Túpac say after he left in the tambo of Vilcas, where I had gone from this city, that it was his cousin who had brought him there in peace; and this is known to me because I raised Sayri Túpac when he was a young child and because I saw Juan Serra go to the city of the Kings, and then return to where the Inca was, bringing with him dispatches and safe conducts for him to leave in peace.

  The Witnesses

  Chasca: Aged 50. Indian.

  Guasco: Aged 50. Indian of Cayambe.

  Mazma: Aged 79. Indian of Mayo, in the valley of Jaquijahuana.

  Pastac: Aged 80. Indian of Cuzco.

  Don Juan Sona: Aged 68. Inca of Cuzco.

  Don Diego Cayo Yupanqui: Aged 58. Inca.

  Don García Suma Yupanqui: Aged 70. Principal Inca lord of Cuzco.

  Don Martín Napti Yupanqui: Aged 73. Inca of Cuzco.

  Paucar Yupanqui: Aged 37. Inca.

  GENEALOGIES

  CHILDREN OF THE EMPEROR HUAYNA CÁPÁC

  DESCENDANTS OF MANSIO SERRA DE LEGUIZAMON

  Mansio Serra De Leguizamón

  GLOSSARY AND PLACE NAMES

  adelantado: military title, denoting the command of a frontier region.

  Alca: encomienda, in the Cuntisuyo, later founded as a town of that name.

  alcalde: mayor.

  Altiplano: highland plateau of the Collasuyo.

  amauta: Inca bards and elders.

  Andes: mountain range; the quéchua name derived from the name Antisuyo.

  Antisuyo: eastern region of the Inca empire.

  Apurímac: river, on the north-western approach to Cuzco.

  Arequipa: city, founded in 1540 because of its proximity to the Pacific Ocean.

  Audiencia of Lima: Royal Court of Chancery of the Viceroyalty of Peru; governed by its judiciary and President.

  ayllu: Inca or Indian family clan.

  Aymara: language of ethnic tribes of the Cuntisuyo and Collasuyo.

  cabildo: municipal council of a city.

  cacique: word of Caribbean Amerindian origin, denoting a tribal chief, introduced by conquistadors to Peru.

  Cajamarca: Inca township, in the central Andes, north of Cuzco.

  Callanga – Catanga: encomiendas, in the Yucay valley, Antisuyo.

  Cañari: equatorial tribe from the region and city of Tumibamba; auxiliaries of the Spaniards from the earliest days of the Conquest; awarded by Pizarro lands in the Yucay valley and exemption from tributary service.

  captain: commander of a squadron of horse or infantry.

  captain-general: commander of an army or province.

  Chachapoyas: tribe, north Andean region.

  chicha: maize wine.

  Chile: most southern region of the Inca empire; its settlement of Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia.

  Chinchasuyo: northern region of the Inca empire.

  Chuquinga: Battle of, in Cuntisuyo, 30 March 1554; defeat of royalist army of the Mariscal Alonso de Alvarado by Francisco Hernández Girón.

  Coca: narcotic plant sacred to the Inca nobility; from which cocaine is derived; grown in abundance by encomenderos in sub-tropical valleys for the mining markets of Potosí.

  Collasuyo: southern region of Inca empire.

  conde: count (title).

  converso: convert to Christianity, of Jewish ancestry.

  Copacabana: religious colonial shrine on a promontory of Lake Titicaca; Aymara name signifies ‘stone from where all can be seen’, and refers to the view from its former Inca temple; early chapel replaced by a sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin, built between 1610 and 1619. A wooden sculpture of the Madonna, holding a lighted candle, was donated to the sanctuary by the Indian sculptor Tito Yupanqui in 1592 and still adorns its principal altar. The Augustinian chronicler Antonio de la Calancha in the mid-seventeenth century published a history of the sanctuary Historia del Santuario de Copacabana y del Prado.

  cordillera: mountain range.

  corregidor: governor of a city or province.

  Council of the Indies: governing body of the Indies.

  Coya: title of the sister-queen of the Inca Emperor and of their daughters.

  creole: children of Spaniards born in Peru.

  Cristiano viejo: old Christian lineage.

  curaca: quéchua name for a tribal leader.

  Cuzco: capital of the Inca empire of Tahuantinsuyo, established as a Spanish municipality in 1534.

  Don – Doña: courtesy title of royalty, nobles and principal governors and military commanders, among them Pizarro and Almagro, some of whom were hidalgos. Though in later years its use would become more common, in sixteenth-century Peru only the wives and daughters of hidalgos and conquistadors were addressed as Doña. Though Mansio’s courtly relatives were accorded the title of Don, neither he nor his father, though hidalgos, were ever addressed as such. A few of the Inca princes were however awarded the title, among them the Coya Doña Beatriz Yupanqui and her son Don Juan Serra de Leguizamón, as recorded in Mansio’s Will.

  en
comienda – encomendero: land grant of Indian vassals awarded by the Crown in lieu of feudal service and requisite of the evangelization of their domains.

  Guayaquil: equatorial coastal city, founded as Santiago de Guayaquil in 1535.

  hidalgo: term of ancient Spanish nobility; hijo de algo, son of a man of rank.

  huaca: Inca nature shrine.

  Huanacauri: huaca mountain shrine, south-west of Cuzco.

  Huarina: Battle of, on south-eastern shore of Lake Titicaca, 20 October 1547; defeat of Diego de Centeno’s loyalist army by Gonzalo Pizarro.

  Iñaquito: Battle of, near Quito, 18 January 1546; defeat of the Viceroy Blasco Ñúñez Vela’s army by Gonzalo Pizarro.

  Inca: name of ruling ayllu of Quéchua tribe; title of Emperor.

  Indian – Indies: name given by the Spaniards to the natives of the Americas and Caribbean islands because of their belief that the continent formed part of India.

  Inti: sun deity.

  Isthmus of Panama: known formerly as Castilla del Oro because of its purported abundance of gold, and later as Tierra Firme; port city of Panama on its southern coast was founded as a result of the discovery of the Pacific Ocean by Vasco Ñuñez de Balboa in 1533.

  Jaquijahuana: Battle of, in the valley and plain of that name, north of Cuzco, 9 April 1548; defeat of Gonzalo Pizarro’s army of encomenderos by the President La Gasca.

  Jauja: Inca township, in central Andes; founded by Pizarro as the first Spanish municipality in 1533.

  La Paz: city, in the Collasuyo; Nuestra Señora de la Paz, Our Lady of the Peace, founded in 1548 to commemorate the defeat of Gonzalo Pizarro’s rebellion; administrative capital of Bolivia.

  La Plata: city, in the southern Collasuyo founded in 1538; deriving its name because of its abundance of silver mines; known also by its indigenous name of Chuquisaca and Charcas, the name of its region; renamed Sucre in 1825, in honour of Mariscal Antonio de Sucre; capital of Bolivia.

  league: 3½ miles.