The Battle of Tucapel is the name given to a battle fought between Spanish conquistador forces led by Pedro de Valdivia and Mapuche (Araucanian) Indians under Lautaro that took place at Tucapel, Chile on December 25, 1553. This battle happened in the context of the first stage of the Arauco War, named the "offensive war" within a larger uprising by Araucanians against the Spanish conquest of Chile. It was a defeat for the Spaniards, resulting in the capture and eventual death of Valdivia.
Pedro de Valdivia
Bust of Lautaro in the square of Cañete.
Pedro Gutiérrez de Valdivia or Valdiva was a Spanish conquistador and the first royal governor of Chile. After serving with the Spanish army in Italy and Flanders, he was sent to South America in 1534, where he served as lieutenant under Francisco Pizarro in Peru, acting as his second in command.
Posthumous portrait by Federico de Madrazo
Alonso de Ovalle's 1646 engraving of Pedro de Valdivia.
Pedro Lira's 1789 painting of the founding of Santiago by Pedro de Valdivia at Huelén Hill.
Alonso de Ovalle's 1646 engraving of Valdivia, Villagra and Alderete.