PEDRO DE LA GASCA. — Spanish statesman and bishop, b. at Barco de Avila in 1485, d. at Valladolid on 10 Nov. 1567.
After having held various public offices, in 1546 Charles V appointed him president of the Royal Audience of Peru, endowing him with unlimited powers, with the task of quelling the rebellion and civil war in Peru instigated by Gonzalo Pizarro. Having landed in Central America, he obtained at Panama the adhesion of Pedro de Hinojosa, commander of the fleet, and of Fernando Pizarro, brother of the rebel.
Having reached Peru in 1547 and found negotiations with Gonzalo fruitless, G. assembled an army with which on 8 Apr. 1548 he confronted the enemy troops. Since many of Pizarro’s soldiers had deserted, the latter was taken prisoner and then beheaded along with his lieutenant Carvajal. Once the revolt was suppressed, G. devoted himself to a swift work of pacification, revoking excessively harsh ordinances, introducing beneficial reforms for the Indians, replacing military administration with civil administration in the cities, encouraging economic growth, especially the exploitation of the subsoil. His government, which lasted until 1550, was considered by all to be beneficial and just, and G. was hailed as the “father restorer and peacemaker.” Returning to Spain, he was elected bishop of Palencia (1551) and of Sigüenza (1561).