His biography is obscure; only a few details of his life are known, which he himself included in his written work. He was born around 1522 in
Mexico City. He was the son of a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Mexico. Luis Alberto Sánchez says that he was probably mestizo, although he also defines him as Creole-Mexican. It is believed that he moved to
Peru around 1543, as he is reported to have been present during
Gonzalo Pizarro's march from Cuzco to Lima, during the prelude to the civil war from 1544 to 1548 (the so-called "Great Rebellion" or rebellion of the encomenderos).He was a soldier of Pablo de Meneses, a supporter of Viceroy
Blasco Núñez Vela.He possibly witnessed the viceroy's death and, together with Meneses, went over to the Pizarro side. == References ==