Note XV‑41 — Chapter XV · PANAMÁ AND PERU. 1538-1550.

Gasca was born in 1494 in the Caballería de Navarregadilla, a small town near the Barca de Ávila. He received a liberal education, being placed by his uncle at the famous seminary of Alcalá de Henares, and subsequently transferred to the university of Salamanca. He was ordained a priest in 1531, and in 1541 was appointed counsellor of the inquisition. He acquired great renown by his gallant defence of the city of Valencia, at a time when its inhabitants were panic-stricken at the approach of a foreign foe. 'Vinieron á tierra de Avila la familia de Gasca mudándose ... las dos letras consonantes C y G el nombre de Casca en Gasca.' Hist. de Don Pedro Gasca, MS. Even when a student he showed the power of his will and decision of character in quelling political disturbances. Datos Biograficos, in Cartas de Indias, 763-7.