- Battle of Añaquito
Infobox Military Conflict
conflict=Battle of Añaquito
caption=
partof=theSpanish conquest of Peru
date=January 18 ,1546
place=Añaquito, nearQuito , present-dayEcuador
result=Decisive victory for Nueva Castilla
combatant1=Nueva Castilla
combatant2=Viceroyalty of Peru
commander1=Gonzalo Pizarro Francisco de Carvajal
commander2=Blasco Núñez Vela KIAFrancisco Hernández Girón
strength1=700 men
strength2=Unknown, but fewer
casualties1=Unknown
casualties2=Unknown, but heavyAfter his unheard claims as governor of
New Castile (Peru ) following the death of his brother,Gonzalo Pizarro pressed claims to be recognized as the ruler of the land he and his brothers had conquered. After the arrival of appointed royalviceroy Blasco Núñez Vela in 1544, Gonzalo succeded to have him repelled and sent toPanama in chains. He was released, however, and returned to Peru by sea while Gonzalo was mustering an army. The two met onJanuary 18 atAñaquito in the outskirts ofQuito , present-day capital ofEcuador , where the superiority of the Nueva Castilla army ensured victory for Gonzalo. Blasco Núñez Vela reportedly fought bravely but fell as a victim in battle and was laterdecapitated on the field of defeat, a fate Gonzalo himself would recognize two years later at Jaquijahuana.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.