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Bernardino Vázquez de Tapia
(c. 1493–1559)

Biographical

Alcalde ordinario of Mexico City 1541, 1549
Regidor of Mexico City 1528–1559†
Perpetual councillor of Veracruz 1526
Encomendero of Tlapa (a share) 1527 (share increased 1529–34)
Encomendero of Tlachinol
Encomendero of Churubusco until 1529 (exchanged for another quarter of Tlapa); 1536
Encomendero of Guamuchitlan

Royal ensign 1552

A Spanish conquistador, Vázquez de Tapia's parents died when he was still a child, and he was placed firstly under the care of his uncle, Pedro Vázquez de Oropesa, and then another uncle, Francisco Álvarez. In 1514, he went to the Americas with Pedro Arias Dávila, and took part in the conquest of Cuba, where he was granted an encomienda by Diego Velázquez. In 1518, he joined Juan de Grivalva to explore the gulf coast of Mexico. After returning to Cuba, he sold all of his properties, and joined Hernan Cortés. In Mexico, Vázquez de Tapia was appointed to a number of posts. He was alongside Pedro de Alvarado at the time of Moctezuma's death and throughout the events that led to the Noche Triste in 1520. He also served as commanding officer for the Spanish forces during the Panuco campaign. Vázquez de Tapia's fortunes soon increased greatly. He was rewarded with a large encomienda at Churubusco in Mexico City, and acquired a large ownership of Tlaxcala. He built the first private residence in Mexico City. 1526 saw the commencement of conflict with Hernan Cortés (he was imprisoned in Seville by him over an old debt), and he was to become one of the main enemies of Cortés and Alvarado for the next few years. He was deprived of his encomiendas and properties in Mexico City, and eventually returned to Veracruz.

Place of birth: Torralba de Oropesa, Toledo
Place of first marriage: Spain
Place of death: Mexico City

Son of Pedro Sánchez Vázquez and Marina Alfonsa de Balboa. He was married firstly to Leonor Vázquez in 1530  (†1554 sp), and secondly to María Goñi de Peralta (with issue, including Bernardina, died young?). He also had issue by an unknown woman (Sancha, married to Pedro Carrillo Dávila), and illegitimate issue by an indigenous woman (Inés Vázquez de Tapia, married to her first cousin Ginés Vázquez de Mercado).

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