1522: Vicent Peris, of the Revolt of the Brotherhood

ExecutedToday.com ^ | March 3, 2014 | Headsman

[CheshireTheCat]

On this date in 1522, the leader of the Revolt of the Brotherhood came to his grief in Valencia.

Spain circa 1519-1520 was a powder keg. The rival kingdoms Aragon and Castille had of late been joined by a personal union of Ferdinand and Isabella, but now that couple was several years dead, and the scepter held by an irritating Flemish youth who had just popped in to hike everyone’s taxes so he could fund the bribe campaign necessary to become the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V.

These tensions triggered the Revolt of the Comuneros in Castile, whose consequent executions we have already dealt with; in Aragon, they launched the Revolt of the Brotherhoods. The “brotherhoods” in question were the germanias, urban artisan guilds. Those guilds stepped into a power vaccuum in Valencia when a 1519 plague triggered anti-Moslem riots and sent the nobles scurrying for the safety of their country estates. (Charles was busy in Germany being crowned Holy Roman Emperor.)

This was more than fine by the salty Valencia townsfolk, who much detested the overweening aristocracy....

[Theophilus]

I’ve been ignorant of this whole history of Spain. Thanks!

[marktwain]

At the time this was happening, the conquistador, Cortez, was discovering and conquering Mexico (1519-1521).

Everyone should read the first hand account written by one of his foot-soldiers, Bernal Diaz.

Here is a review of the book.