Luis de Santángel

Luis de Santangel (* probably in Valencia; ? † in Alcalá de Henares, Spain 1498) was a Spanish statesman in the service of the Catholic Monarchs. He was treasurer of Ferdinand II of Aragon and important patron of Christopher Columbus.

Luis de Santangel came from a wealthy Jewish family that had emigrated from Aragón to Valencia and had excellent contact with Alfonso V of Aragon and John II of Aragon. Nevertheless, the family was forced to convert to Christianity to escape persecution by the Spanish Inquisition.

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

Luis de Santangel contributed significantly to the successful crossing of the Atlantic by Christopher Columbus. In the spring of 1492 he convinced the Catholic Monarchs them to respond to the charges of Columbus claims, and was a signatory to the so-called Capitulaciones de Santa Fe, which is the contract in which the Genoese navigator in case of success of the project to admiral, viceroy and governor is appointed over the territories he discover him and 10 percent of its profit is awarded. In addition Santangel contributed a large sum which he lent the crown from its own resources, with much to finance the project. The first letter of Columbus from the New World sent to the Spanish monarchs, is addressed to the attention of Luis de Santangel.

As a reward for his services to the Spanish crown him the blood purity ( limpieza de sangre ), ie a " purebred " pedigree has been attested by Christian ancestors on May 30, 1497. Thus he and his descendants were protected from persecution by the Inquisition. The originally confiscated goods Valencian his family were restored to him.