Doña Leonor

The history of the fasinating Dona Leonor is centered around the conquest that took part in the colonial era in Antigua Guatemala.

Since women of the time were relatively important by virtue of the families they were born into or were married into, much of Doña Leonor's history has to be interpreted through others, however, one should never underestimate the vital role that they played during a time of perpetual turmoil and conquest - not only keeping the families "together," but often-times helping make key decisions of state or in business.

Doña Leonor de Alvarado was born on March 22, 1524 at the newly founded city of Santiago de los Caballeros - Utatlan before the Spanish invasion (from Quiche "place of old reeds"). The site was originally founded around 1400 for its defensive position, as it was a time of warfare in the Guatemala highlands. She was baptized there by the priest Juan Godines.

Doña Leonor was the daughter of Don Pedro de Alvarado and the Tlaxcalan Indian princess “Tecuilhuatzin” (“Doña Luisa”) and was the first woman mestizo born in Guatemala . In 1519, her mother along with three other Tlaxcalan Princesses had been presented as gifts to Alvarado and Cortez and other lieutenants to seal the union of the Tlaxcalans as allies to the Spanish in the fight against their old enemy, the Aztec Empire and its ruler, the powerful Montezuma II

Doña Luisa and (daughter) Leonor de Alvarado were constant companions of Don Pedro in his conquest of Guatemala and Central America .

In 1527, on a return trip to Spain – to secure his conquest - Captain-General Don Pedro married Francisca de La Cueva , the daughter of a noble and powerful family of Castile . Doña Francisca did not last long in the Americas and Don Pedro later returned and married her sister, Doña Beatriz de La Cueva , who became Governor after his death in 1541.

To secure a familial relationship, Doña Leonor was first married to Pedro de Portocarrero, conquistador and companion to Don Pedro, whom he accompanied during the conquest of Mexico and Guatemala , participating in numerous battles against the Indians. In 1524, during the conquest of Guatemala , Portocarrero was appointed alderman of the Cabildo and served as mayor of the original Capitol. He led the 1526 war against the peoples of Sacatepéquez, and in 1527 he conquered the province of Chiapas and founded the town of Comitan . In 1539, Doña Leonor, scarcely fifteen years old, was widowed and heir to the fortune of Portocarrero, who had no other descendants

Don Francisco de La Cueva , arrived in Guatemala in 1539, at the age of 38, and in 1541, after the death of Don Pedro and Doña Beatriz, Bishop Marroquin sought the wedding of Don Francisco (cousin of the Duke of Albuquerque) and Doña Leonor, to consolidate the wealth of her late husband and father. They had six children.

One of the leading figures of the first generation was Doña Leonor de Alvarado (Xicoténcatl) de La Cueva. “El Placio de Doña Leonor” (and the adjoining structures) was originally the private home of Leonor de Alvarado (de la Cueva ), and also served as a center of commerce and government (on the first floor). Don Francisco alternately served as governor, mayor and businessman. Due to his relative inexperience and naiveté, much of the “business” was left to his more experienced wife.

Don Francisco died in late 1576 and Doña Leonor survived until 1583.

In her will, given on September 13, 1583 before the notary (Hidalgo), Doña Leonor expressed her desire to be buried next to her father and husband, in the chapel of the holy cathedral church (Central Cathedral).

As Don Pedro de Alvarado was known for his physical exploits and military leadership, his daughter, Doña Leonor (the first "Mestiza" born in Guatemala) was equally well-endowed with "inner" strength and resolve. The meticulously restored "Palacio" is now a fitting "testiment" to this extraordinary woman.

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