Roderigo Lopes

16th-century Portuguese physician

Roderigo Lopes (c. 1517 – 7 June 1594) was a Portuguese physician of Jewish origin who served as the physician-in-chief to Elizabeth I of England. His life and execution for alleged treason have been subjects of historical interest and controversy.

Early Life and Education

Roderigo Lopes was born around 1517 in Portugal, into a family of Conversos, Jews who had converted to Christianity under pressure from the Inquisition. Despite the conversion, many Conversos secretly maintained their Jewish faith and practices. Lopes studied medicine at the University of Coimbra, where he excelled in his studies and became a licensed physician.

Career in England

St. Bartholomew's Hospital, Mediaeval Period

Lopes emigrated to England in the 1550s, likely to escape the religious persecution in Portugal. He established himself as a physician in London and gained a reputation for his medical skills. By 1581, Lopes had become a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians. He was appointed as the physician-in-chief to Queen Elizabeth I, a prestigious position that underscored his professional success.

Allegations and Trial

In 1594, Lopes was accused of conspiring to poison Queen Elizabeth I. The charges were brought forth by Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex, who was a prominent figure at the court and had political motives for implicating Lopes. The trial was highly publicized, and Lopes was found guilty of treason. Despite his protestations of innocence, he was executed by hanging, drawing, and quartering on 7 June 1594.

Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex

Controversy and Legacy

The case against Lopes has been viewed by many historians as being motivated by anti-Semitic sentiment and political intrigue. The evidence against him was largely circumstantial, and his trial was marked by a lack of due process. The execution of Lopes is often cited as an example of the precarious position of Jews and Conversos in Elizabethan England.

Lopes' story has been referenced in various cultural works, including William Shakespeare's "The Merchant of Venice", which reflects the anti-Semitic attitudes of the time.

Related Pages

• Elizabeth I of England
• Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl of Essex
• Converso
• Inquisition

Elizabeth I of England

See Also

• History of the Jews in England
• Tudor England