Pedro Sánchez de la Hoz

Pedro Sánchez de la Hoz or Pedro Sancho de Hoz (Calahorra, current La Rioja, 1514 - Santiago de Chile, 1547) was a merchant, chronicler and conqueror Spanish who was appointed by Emperor Charles V as advance of Terra Australis in 1539, thus creating the governorate of Terra Australis.

Biography

Early years

He was probably born in the town of Calahorra, in Spain, in the year 1514, in the home formed by Juande Hoz and Juana Sancho.

Conquest of America

Former secretary of Francisco Pizarro, he was also an important chronicler of the early days of the conquest of Peru. On the same January 24, 1539, he signed a capitulation with Emperor Charles V, by which he was appointed governor of the lands south of the Strait of Magellan, then called Terra Australis, and of the islands not assigned that he discovered. However, this capitulation had no effect.

(...) Item, we promise that, having made the so-called discovery of the other part of the strait, or of some island that is not in a foreign place, we will make you the mercy to your services; and while we are not informed of what you discover, you are our governor of thelo. Therefore, by the present, you do the saying But Sancho de Hoz at your expense, and according to the manner in which the discovery is contained, I say I promise that you will be kept this capitulation, and all in it content; I do not do it, nor do we fulfill ancestry, we will not be obliged to you to keep or fulfill the suodicho, nor do I fulfill any command of it; Date in Toledo to 24 days of January 1539 years.

The boundary dispute between Argentina and Chile: the Quesada-Amunátegui debate.

Murder attempts on Pedro de Valdivia

Pedro Sánchez arrived in Peru ruined in 1539 and wanted to reverse that situation. For this he had royal support. He approached Pedro de Valdivia and Francisco Martínez and agreed to partner with them in the conquest of Chile. However, he saw an adversary in Valdivia and instigated his death on several occasions, all with unsuccessful results.

Valdivia, avoiding getting involved in a future residency trial against such an influential character, spared his life on several occasions, and even gave him the freedom that he deservedly earned in the defense of Santiago de Chile following the Michimalonco attack.

Death

However, in December 1547, as a result of Valdivia's departure to Peru, he left Francisco de Villagra in charge, who executed him by beheading, after recognizing himself involved in a conspiracy that sought to remove him as substitute governor.