Pedro de Villagra

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García Hurtado de Mendoza, Pedro de Villagra and Rodrigo de Quiroga in an illustration by Alonso de Ovalle

Pedro de Villagra y Martínez (Colmenar de Arenas; 1513 - Lima; September 11, 1577) was a Spanish soldier who participated in the conquest of Chile, being appointed its Royal Governor between 1563 and 1565.

His father was Juan de Villagra, a minor civil official. In 1537 he moved from Spain to Cartagena de Indias, then to Santa Marta and later Peru. He arrived in Chile with the expedition of Pedro de Valdivia.

With the founding of Santiago, Villagra held for 4 years the post of the city's mayor. Valdivia also granted him an encomienda in Tirúa. After the death of the governor, he moved back to Peru, where he married Beatriz de Figueroa.

He returned to Chile when his nephew Francisco de Villagra was governor. He fought in the Arauco War and took command of the southern forces when the governor became ill. In 1556 he commanded the forces that drove Lautaro back from Santiago in the Battle of Peteroa. Francisco de Villagra died on June 22, 1563, leaving Pedro de Villagra as interim governor. This was later confirmed by the Viceroy of Peru, Diego López de Zúñiga y Velasco. His military strategy led him to concentrate his forces, vacating the fort Arauco in order to reinforce Angol and Concepción. Some of the worst Mapuche defeats would be suffered through the attack of Angol, where the garrisoning forces lead by Bernal del Mercado inflicted thousands of casualties.

Later he headed a new campaign in the south, resulting in the victorious battles of Reinohuelen and Tolmillán against the Mapuches.

With the death of the viceroy in 1563 the political situation deteriorated for Villagra. He was replaced by Rodrigo de Quiroga, arrested, and sent to Peru, where he managed to clear his name. After his absolution he petitioned the king for the reparations he believed himself due, but he never received a response.

He died in Lima on September 11, 1577.