Hernando Pizarro
Spanish conquistador and the only Pizarro brother to survive Peru.
Hernando Pizarro y de Vargas (c. 1504 – c. 1578) was a Spanish conquistador and a member of the Pizarro brothers, who governed Peru. He was the sole Pizarro brother to survive his time in Peru, eventually making his way back to Spain. Unlike his half-brothers, Hernando was born to married parents, received an education, and built connections at the Spanish court.
He was related to Francisco, Juan, and Gonzalo Pizarro, and had two full sisters, Inés and Isabel Pizarro y de Vargas. Through his father, he was a second cousin of Hernán Cortés. In 1530, Hernando traveled to the New World with his half-brother Francisco and took part in the conquests in Peru. In 1533, he was sent back to Spain carrying the royal fifth for the emperor—a collection of fine items gathered from Atahuallpa’s ransom. He arrived in Seville on January 9, 1534, then went to Calatayud for an audience with Charles. He presented the royal fifth and recounted the Pizarros’ exploits. Charles confirmed Francisco’s earlier grants, extended them seventy leagues south, and gave Diego de Almagro a grant two hundred leagues further south.
Returning to Peru, Hernando ruled the Inca capital of Cuzco alongside his half-brothers Juan and Gonzalo. He governed harshly and helped suppress the Inca uprisings led by Manco Inca. In 1533, Hernando wrote a letter to the Royal Audience of Santo Domingo about the expedition. He described founding the town of San Miguel and searching for Cajamarca, where local rulers were fighting. In the letter, he noted: “The road over the mountains is a thing worth seeing, because, though the ground is so rugged, such beautiful roads could not in truth be found throughout Christendom. The greater part of them is paved. There is a bridge of stone or wood over every stream. We found bridges of network over a very large and powerful river, which we crossed twice, which was a marvelous thing to see.”
After Diego de Almagro returned from a fruitless gold-seeking trip to Chile, he found the Pizarros in control of Cuzco. Believing he deserved credit as Francisco’s main partner in discovering Peru, Almagro claimed the city as his share. He seized Cuzco in 1537, capturing Hernando and Juan. Hernando was released after negotiations between Almagro and Francisco. In 1538, Hernando and Gonzalo returned with an army to confront Almagro. At the Battle of Las Salinas, the Pizarros won decis
- born
- c. 1504
- died
- c. 1578
- field
- Conquistador
- nationality
- Spanish
- known_for
- One of the Pizarro brothers who ruled Peru; only brother to survive and return to Spain
Lore & Background
Hernando Pizarro departed for the New World in 1530 with his half-brother Francisco Pizarro and accompanied him during his conquests in Peru. In 1533 he was sent back to Spain with the royal fifth for the Emperor, which consisted of 'a number of the most beautiful articles' collected for Atahuallpa's ransom. He arrived in Seville on 9 January 1534, proceeded to Calatayud, and had an audience with Charles, delivering the royal fifth and recounting the Pizarro brothers' adventures. Charles confirmed Francisco Pizarro's previous grants, extending them seventy leagues further south, and gave Francisco's partner Diego de Almagro a grant two hundred leagues further south.
Returning to Peru, Hernando ruled with his half-brothers Juan and Gonzalo Pizarro over the Inca capital of Cuzco, governing with an iron fist and helping suppress Inca uprisings led by Manco Inca. After Diego de Almagro returned from Chile and seized Cuzco in 1537, capturing Hernando and Juan, Hernando was eventually released. In 1538 he and Gonzalo returned with an army, winning the Battle of Las Salinas and capturing Almagro, who was executed later that year. The Spanish infighting caused fallout in the Spanish court, and Hernando returned to Spain in 1539 to lobby for the Pizarros. Despite bribery, he was imprisoned for twenty years, from June 1541 until May 1561, in the Castle of La Mota. He then lived in his Trujillo palace until his death in 1578.
Reader's Guide
Hernando Pizarro's significance lies in his role as a key figure in the Spanish conquest of the Inca Empire and as the only Pizarro brother to survive the conflicts in Peru and return to Spain. His letter to the royal audience of Santo Domingo in November 1533 provides a firsthand account of the expedition, describing the remarkable roads and bridges built by the Incas. His diplomatic missions to the Spanish court helped secure royal grants for his family, though his later involvement in the execution of Diego de Almagro led to his own imprisonment for two decades. His legacy also includes the continuation of the Pizarro line through his marriage to his niece Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui, daughter of Francisco Pizarro and an Inca mistress, which produced offspring including the Marqueses de La Conquista. The Pizarro male line eventually became extinct, but Hernando's actions shaped the early colonial administration of Peru.
Did You Know?
- Hernando Pizarro was the only one of the Pizarro brothers who was not killed in Peru.
- He was born in wedlock and educated, unlike his half-brothers.
- He wrote a letter in November 1533 describing Inca roads as 'a thing worth seeing' with paved roads and network bridges.
- He married his niece Francisca Pizarro Yupanqui, daughter of Francisco Pizarro and an Inca mistress, in 1552.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Hernando Pizarro?
Hernando Pizarro y de Vargas (c. 1504–c. 1578) was a Spanish conquistador and one of the Pizarro brothers who governed Peru. He is best remembered as the only one of his brothers to survive his time in the New World and make it back to Spain.
What made Hernando Pizarro different from Francisco, Juan, and Gonzalo?
Unlike his half-brothers, Hernando was born to married parents, received a formal education, and cultivated connections at the Spanish court. These advantages set him apart socially and politically from the other Pizarro siblings.
How does Hernando Pizarro's story end?
Hernando was the sole Pizarro brother to survive his period in Peru, eventually returning to Spain where he lived until around 1578. His survival and return to the motherland distinguish his ending from the violent fates that claimed his brothers.
Who were Hernando Pizarro's close family ties?
He had two full sisters, Inés and Isabel Pizarro y de Vargas, and was the half-brother of Francisco, Juan, and Gonzalo Pizarro. Through his father, he was also a second cousin of Hernán Cortés.
Why is Hernando Pizarro important in conquistador history?
As the only Pizarro brother to survive Peru and return to Spain, his story offers a rare glimpse of a conquistador who escaped the violent fates that claimed his siblings. His educated background and court connections also highlight a different, more privileged path into the colonial enterprise.
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