Page:Vol 4 History of Mexico by H H Bancroft.djvu/183

Rh leaving the European prisoners still in the alhóndiga under guard.

The reader will recollect that when the bishopric of Michoacan was established in 1536, Tzintzuntzan was elected as the cathedral town. In 1554, however, the episcopal seat was removed to Patzcuaro, whence it was finally transferred in 1580 to the city of Valladolid, in conformity with a bull issued by Pius V. in 1571. This city was originally founded by Cristóbal Olid in the valley of Guayangaréo, which name was bestowed upon the town and retained until 1540, when it was refounded and formally settled by Viceroy Mendoza, who changed the name to that of Valladolid in honor of his birthplace in Spain. For the purpose of insuring its stability and prosperity, Mendoza sent several noble Spanish families from Mexico to the revived settlement, and among the first settlers mention must be made of Juan de Villaseñor Cervantes, from whose family Iturbide was descended. In 1553 Charles V. ennobled the city and granted it a coat of arms.