Francisco de Lorenzana - Firma Manuscrita / Privilegio-Castillejo - 1790

Signature of Cardinal and Archbishop of Toledo and Mexico Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana y Butrón (1722–1804)

Manuscript - Castillejo Family - 1790

Francisco de Lorenzana grants to Fray D. Luis de Castillejo y Montenegro, priest of the Order of Calatrava, permission and authorization to create an oratory in his residence to celebrate the exercises of the Mass, on October 16, 1790, in the royal city and court of Madrid.

23x42cm

Manuscript on both sides and bilingual: original in Latin and a copy/translation in Spanish on the front.

Handwritten signature [by mandate] of Francisco de Lorenzana on the reverse. It preserves the original seal.


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Francisco Antonio de Lorenzana y Butrón (1722–1804) was a prominent cardinal and enlightened Spanish humanist, famous for his immense patronage and administrative reforms. His life was marked by great achievements in America and Spain:

Archbishop of Mexico (1766–1772): Modernized administration, implemented the new Bourbon policies, and published the famous Histories of the New Spain by Hernán Cortés. He created hospitals, hospices, and founded museums of native antiquities.

Archbishop Primado of Toledo (1772–1800): Promoted a major cultural renaissance, financing the creation of the Pontifical University, the Archiepiscopal Library, and the embellishment of the Cathedral, including the famous Puerta Llana.

The Lorenzana Cadastre (1782–1789): Directed an exhaustive documentary project in which he sent questionnaires to every parish in his diocese to collect information about the economy, culture, agriculture, and health of the Spanish populations.