Luis de Santángel

Luis de Santángel (*? Probably in Valencia , † 1498 in Alcalá de Henares , Spain ) was a Spanish statesman in the service of the Catholic Kings . He was the treasurer of King Ferdinand II of Aragon and an important supporter of Christopher Columbus .

Luis de Santángel came from a wealthy Jewish family who had emigrated from Aragón to Valencia and had excellent contacts with Alfonso V of Aragon and John II of Aragon . Notwithstanding this, the family felt compelled to convert to the Christian faith .

The Converso Luis de Santángel was still entrusted by John II with the collection of the royal taxes in Valencia. After his death he entered the service of his son, Ferdinand II, who entrusted him with the supervision of the finances and on September 13, 1481 appointed escribano de ración (treasurer, accounting officer).

Luis de Santángel made a significant contribution to the successful crossing of the Atlantic by Christopher Columbus. In the spring of 1492 he convinced the Catholic Monarchs to accept the demands made by Columbus and was a co-signatory of the so-called Capitulaciones de Santa Fe , i.e. the treaty in which the Genoese navigator becomes admiral, viceroy and governor if the project is successful over the areas he has discovered and is awarded 10 percent of the profit. In addition, Santángel made a substantial contribution to the financing of the project with a large sum that he lent to the crown from his own resources. The first letter that Columbus sent from the New World to the Spanish monarchs was addressed to Luis de Santángel.

In gratitude for his services to the Catholic Monarchs, on May 30, 1497 , he was certified blood purity ( limpieza de sangre ), that is, a "thoroughbred" descent from Christian ancestors.

Web links

• Entry on Luis de Santángel at arteHistoria (Spanish)