198 AGUSTÍN J. PÉREZ CIPITRIA
ejércitos de Europa con total dependencia y lealtad hacia una corona, sufragar
campañas militares e incluso intervenir en las decisiones de grandes
operaciones bélicas acaecidas en el norte de África, ostentando el mando de
Capitán General de África.
PALABRAS CLAVE: artillería, armada, conquista, milicias, piratería,
Cisneros.
ABSTRACT
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, cardinal, archbishop of Toledo,
primate of Spain and Inquisitor General of Castile, has traditionally been
regarded as one of the leading figures in the history of Spain due to his commitment
and involvement, as a statesman, in many of the key events related
to Castilian politics, religion and culture.
However, beyond his lengthy list of political and religious achievements,
there is another less well-known, yet by no means less important,
side to the Cardinal: his undoubted military vocation. This Franciscan monk
always displayed great admiration for the military world, to the point that
he was the main architect behind the creation of one of the first armies in
Europe to be totally independent and loyal to the crown. He also funded
military campaigns and even became involved in the decisions concerning
major military operations to take place in North Africa, holding the post
General Captain of Africa.
KEY WORDS: artillery, armada, conquest, militias, piracy, Cisneros.
* * * * *
INTRODUCCIÓN
Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros fue un hombre con una enorme capacidad
como gobernante durante las dos etapas en las que estuvo
desempeñando funciones como regente de la Corona de Castilla. Del
mismo modo, es también muy reconocida su labor en el ámbito humanístico
reflejada en su mecenazgo en obras culturales y científicas e, incluso, en la
Revista de Historia Militar, 129 (2021), pp. 198-232. ISSN: 0482-5748