Tejano History

Ronquillo, Pedro De

Tejanos |

       RONQUILLO, PEDRO DE (?–?). As Spanish ambassador to England in the late seventeenth century, Pedro de Ronquillo played a vital diplomatic role in dealing with the French threat in America. Although King Charles II of England was noted for his mercenary relationship with Louis XIV of France, Ronquillo obtained from him news of the renegade Spaniard Conde de Peñalosa's scheming with the Sun King to conquer parts of New Spain. On Charles's death in 1685, his brother, the Catholic James II, took the English throne. James manifested a new friendliness toward Spain, and Ronquillo was instructed to cultivate the friendship and assure the new king of Spain's close alliance and support.

 

Full article on the Texas State Historical Association's Handbook of Texas Online

   Courtesy of the Texas State Historical Association.