This series on Anti-Heroes of the SouthWest was actually inspired by a conversation I had with a friend of mine, Jesus Soto Karass, a few months ago. We were talking about Sinaloa, Mexico, the Mexican State of his birth. The topic of Pancho Villa and other legends and stories of the area came up. He then proceeded to tell me that Batman was really a Mexican invention that spawned off the Story of El Zorro, just like the Lone Ranger. He mentioned that El Zorro was actually born in his state in a place called El Fuerte, Sinaloa. So of course I had to go down the rabbit hole.
This is the Hollywood Version of what Zorro looks like,
they might not be that far off
Source: Flickr.com
Part I
William Lamport was born in Wexford, Ireland in 1611. These were turbulent times in Ireland. The encroachment of England on Irish land caused much strife and rebellion. William's Catholic upbringing saw him schooled by Franciscans and Augustinian Friars. At the age of 15 or 16 he had to flee England for the publication and distribution of a treatise against the British King.
The young Lamport joined a pirate vessel that attacked British vessels. He was also involved in the Siege of La Rochelle during the hostilities between Protestants and Catholics in France in 1628. After traveling extensively throughout Europe and learning many languages, he was invited to attend the Colegio de Imperial in Madrid, where the Jesuits would further his studies. He would learn further about politics, science, and philosophy.
In Spain, he hispanicized his name from William Lamport to Guillen de Lombardo. The young Irishman caught the attention of the Marquis de Mancera, who then introduced him to the Duke of Olivares, who was the Chief Minister of Philip IV of Spain. By now the young Guillen had fought for Spain in the Netherlands against Swedish forces. Then after proving himself again in 1634 at the Battle of Nördlingen, the Duke summoned Guillen to the Spanish Court.
William Lamport/ Guillen de Lombardo
1638/ 1639
Source: Wikimedia
The young red headed Irish debonair was a Captain in the Spanish Army, and a ladies man in the Court of Philip IV. In 1638 he again distinguished himself in the Battle of Fuenterrabía. Guillen would remain in favor of the court until a scandalous affair between Guillen and the wife of a prominent member of the Spanish Court came to light. The King used this opportunity to send Guillen to New Spain (Mexico) in order to avoid the scandal and not punish the favored Irishman. In 1640 he left Spain for the New World.
During this time, Spain was fighting rebellions and revolts throughout its empire. The Spanish Inquisition was in full swing, and used as a tool to maintain Spain's control. Guillen was sent to the New World with the new viceroy of New Spain, the Marquis of Villena, but with a secret mission of spying for the Duke of Olivares. The Duke did not fully trust the Marquis. The Duke also believed that the Criollos, Spaniards born in Mexico (New Spain), were also looking to revolt, and Guillen was to report back any subversive activity from the Marquis or the Criollos.
Guillen de Lombardo quickly integrated himself in the culture and society of the Criollos in the New Spain, Mexico. He made friends with Don Fernando Carrillo, Chief Clerk of the Mexico City Government. Guillen lived with the Carrillo family, and even tutored their son, Sebastian Carrillo. It is here that Guillen learned of the political ongoings within the Criollo community. Guillen would learn of problems that affected Criollos in their daily dealing with the Spanish Government. Guillen would sympathize with the people of the New World, and would quickly take action to alleviate them of their grievances.
Bishop Juan Palafox y Mendoza
Viceroy of New Spain 6/10/1642 - 11/23/1642
Source: Wikimedia
When Guillen was on the way to the New World, he also befriended Juan de Palafox y Mendoza, the newly appointed Bishop of Puebla, Mexico. The newly appointed Bishop and Guillen conspired against the newly appointed viceroy, the Marquis of Villena. The Marquis had Portuguese sympathies, and would favor Portuguese businesses over the Criollos. This caused the Criollos to file many grievances, and they would petition Don Fernando Carrillo. Guillen would help Carrillo and his clients, and would eventually learn of the injustices inflicted on the people of the New World by a government thousand of miles away. Guillen sent the Duke of Olivares a message informing him of the new viceroy, Marquis of Villena, and his Portuguese leanings. The Duke had the Marquis arrested and then had Guillen's supposed friend and Bishop of Puebla, Juan de Palafox y Mendoza appointed as the new Viceroy of New Spain (Mexico) on June 10, 1642.
Guillen sought a place in the new viceroy's administration, but the Bishop Palafox would not allow him a position. Guillen continued to tutor Sebastian Carrillo, and assist Don Fernando Carrillo with clients that needed his legal assistance. He would continue to socialize among the haute society of New Spain, while secretly living the life of a spy for the Duke of Olivares.
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Sources:
http://www.irlandeses.org/dilab_lamportw.htm
http://www.wexfordzorrofest.com/history.html
http://www.canaldelmisterio.com/tag/william-lamport/
http://familylambert.net/History/bios/william.html
https://visitwexford.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/wexford-celebrates-roots-of-zorro-with-mexican-festival-2/
https://archive.org/details/LamportZorro2
http://www.coppercanyontours.com.mx/los_mochis.html
https://www.taringa.net/post/apuntes-y-monografias/12997883/La-historia-real-y-verdadera-del-zorro.html
http://www.historyireland.com/early-modern-history-1500-1700/the-man-behind-the-mask-of-zorro/