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Gil González de Ávila
(c. 1480–1526)

Other names: Gil González de Benavides, the Elder

Biographical

Vecino of Mexico City
Encomendero of Guaymeo
Encomendero of Zirándaro
Encomendero of Cuautitlán

A conquistador and explorer, González de Ávila was raised by Juan Rodríguez de Fonseca, Bishop of Burgos, who enabled him to receive training and made it possible for him to travel to the Americas, as well as obtaining the position of accountant in Hispaniola. After returning to Spain, he became a partner of the explorer and navigator Andrés Niño. Again, through the influence of the Bishop of Burgos, they obtained a royal licence to explore the Pacific coast in 1519, with González de Ávila as captain general of the fleet. After stopping at Hispaniola for some days, they landed at Acla in January 1520. There, the tyrannical governor Pedrarias Dávila confiscated their ships because they had not sought his permission to land. González de Ávila decided to travel to Las Balsas River with his men and build ships there to continue the expedition. After numerous obstacles and at the cost of a number of his men's lives and resources, the task was finally completed months later. The expeditions resumed, only for the ships to be lost at the Pearl Islands. Again, the ships were built, and the expedition resumed in January 1522. Travelling along the Pacific coast of Panama and to southern Costa Rica, they enjoyed great success in terms of exploration and rewards in gold. The journey continued on land, and due to the sweltering conditions, González de Ávila's health was adversely affected, rendering him unable to walk. Eventually, they returned to sea on rafts, travelling along the coast to Caldera to meet Andrés Niño. The expedition continued by Niño on two ships, and González de Ávila on land. He travelled through to Nicoya, onto Nicaragua, and met with various chiefs who presented him with many riches. He baptised numerous indians along the way, and took many towns, and the Mar Dulce, in the name of Spain. In April 1523, his expedition was attacked by the powerful chief Diriangén. With only sixty men left, González de Ávila decided to retreat. He eventually returned to Panama, but being made aware that Pedrarias Dávila was preparing to ambush him, he fled to Hispaniola. From there, he decided to return to Nicaragua, and travelled to Honduras, and to Guatemala, where he founded San Gil de Buena Vista in 1524. The expedition came to an abrupt halt after Pedrarias Dávila took Nicaragua, and, on behalf of Hernán Cortés, Cristóbal de Olid took González de Ávila prisoner in Honduras for alleged crimes committed, and he was sent to Spain to stand trial. He died there the following year.

Place of birth: Ávila
Place of marriage: Xochimilco
Place of death: Ávila

A grandson of Alonso de Ávila, of Ávila, and brother of the conquistador Alonso de Ávila, he married Leonor de Alvarado (sister of the conquistador Pedro de Alvarado), and had issue.

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