Juan López de Padilla (1490 – 24 April 1521) was an insurrectionary leader in the Castilian War of the Communities, where the people of Castile made a stand against policies of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V and his Flemish ministers. Life Padilla was born in Toledo, Spain, the eldest son of the commendator of Castile. In 1520, after the Castilian deputies had demanded in vain Charles V's return to Castile, regard for cortes' rights and the administration of their economy by Spaniards, a "holy junta" was formed with Padilla as its head. At first, the junta attempted to establish a national government in the name of Juana of Castile, but lost the support of the nobility when it abolished their privileges and asserted democracy. Though the nobles' army subsequently captured Tordesillas, Padilla led the capture of Torrelobatón and other towns, but any advantage gained was neutralized by the junta after it granted an armistice. When hostilities resumed, their army was comprehensively defeated near Villalar, on 23 April 1521 and Padilla taken prisoner. He was publicly beheaded the following day. Afterwards, Padilla's wife, Doña María Pacheco, defended Toledo against the royal troops for six months, but ultimately was compelled to take refuge in Portugal. Eponyms Juan de Padilla high school, in Illescas, Toledo. Juan de Padilla street, in Aranda de Duero, Burgos Juan de Padilla street, in Burgos Juan de Padilla street, in Málaga Juan de Padilla street, in Sevilla Juan de Padilla street, in Torrejón de la Calzada, Madrid Further reading Sandoval, Historia de Carlos V., Pamplona: 1681. E. Armstrong, The Emperor Charles V., 1902. A. Rodriquez Villa, Juana la Loca, Madrid: 1892. Pero Mejia, "Comunidades de Castilla", in the Biblioteca de autores españoles of Rivadeneyra, vol. xxi. References Sources 1490 births 1521 deaths People from Toledo, Spain Spanish rebels People executed by Spain by decapitation Executed Spanish people 16th-century executions by Spain People of the Revolt of the Comuneros