Los náufragos del Ciervo Volador: Una nueva mirada a la integración de extranjeros en el Perú virreinal

This work addresses a long-standing topic in Peruvian historiography: the presence of aliens in Peru during the 16th and 17th centuries. It also contributes to an understudied topic: the situation of those interned due to armed conflicts. In this regard, the wreck of the Dutch ship, Flying Deer, in the early 17th century offers a window into the treatment and temporary integration of foreigners in viceregal Peru. Contrary to their expectations, the twenty-three castaways were not treated as pirates or heretics, but as prisoners of war. Once catechized, they were able to work in Peru in areas related to the military and navy. Eleven of them were temporarily integrated into society but later returned to the United Provinces with useful intelligence for subsequent military expeditions. The study of this particular episode contributes to the historiography on the integration of foreigners in Peru. Thanks to their acceptance of Catholicism, they were able to stay temporarily in the country on a peaceful basis, a situation which they took advantage of to set up an United Provinces’ spy network in the Viceroyalty.