VALVERDE, VINCENZO. — Dominican bishop, at Oropesa (Toledo) at the beginning of the 16th century, d. on the island of Puna (Peru) in Nov. 1542.
A Dominican in 1523, after his profession he studied at Valladolid, at the school of Vitoria. In 1529, with other brethren, he followed Pizarro to Peru and in 1536 was named first bishop of Cuzco and protector of the Indians. Advisor to Pizarro and not infrequently in opposition to him, he claimed the right to the freedom of the Indians, applying the teachings of his master. He worked to pacify the Spaniards who had immigrated there, divided into the factions of the Almagrists and the Pizarrists. He ended up being killed by the natives while he was celebrating Mass. His *Relación sobre la conquista del Perú* constitutes a primary source for the history of the Spanish colonies.