Mendez, Gonzalez Pedro

Mendez, Gonzalez Pedro a noted Roman Catholic prelate in the Church of Spain, called the "grand cardinal," was born at Guadalajara in 1428, of an ancient and noble family. He made rapid progress in his studies, especially in the languages, in civil and canon law, and in belles-lettres. His uncle, Gautier Alvarez, archbishop of Toledo, gave him an archdeaconry in his church, and sent him to the court of John II, king of Castile. His merit and quality soon made him friends and he acquired the bishopric of Calahorra. Henry IV who succeeded John, trusted him with the most important affairs of state, and with the bishopric of Sigtenca, and finally procured a cardinal's hat for him, from Sixtus IV, in 173. When Henry died, in the year following, he named cardinal Mendez for his executor, and dignified him. at the same time with the title of the Cardinal of Spain. He did great service afterwards to Ferdinand and Isabella, in the war against the king of Portugal, and in the conquest of the kingdom of Granada from the Moors. He was then made archbishop of' Seville and Toledo successively; and, after governing some years in his several provinces with great wisdom and moderation, he died Jan. 11, 1495. He founded the magnificent college of Santa Cruz at Valladolid, and a hospital at Toledo. See Salazar de Mendoza, Chronica del gran Cardinal de Espana (1625).