Bernal Díaz del Castillo (1492–1584) was a foot soldier in the army of Mexico's conqueror Hernán Cortés, and participated in the campaigns that led to the fall of the Aztec empire in 1521. This 1928 translation of his journals derives from the 1904 edition by the Mexican historian Genaro García - the first edition based on the original manuscript. Written as a corrective to accounts that overemphasised Cortés' exploits, Díaz's epic includes the experiences of the common soldier: hardship, thirst, long marches and unexpected attacks by rebels. The most complete contemporary chronicle of the Mexican conquest, this important historical document is also a captivating adventure narrative that combines factual accuracy with many dramatic anecdotes. This final volume contains chapters 174–214 and historical appendices by the editor. Díaz describes the aftermath of the Mexican conquest, and outlines how the Spanish established their authority over the land and its inhabitants.

Customer reviews

Not yet reviewed
Be the first to review

Log in to review

Review was not posted due to profanity
×

, create a review

(If you're not , sign out)

Please enter the right captcha value

Please enter a star rating.

Your review must be a minimum of 12 words.

How do you rate this item?

Reviews must contain at least 12 words about the product.

×

Product details
- Date Published: August 2010
- format: Paperback
- isbn: 9781108017091
- length: 488 pages
- dimensions: 216 x 28 x 140 mm
- weight: 0.62kg
- contains: 2 b/w illus.
- availability: Available
Table of Contents
Book XIV. The Expedition to Honduras:
174. How Hernando Cortés set out from Mexico on the road to Las Higueras
175. What Cortés arranged after the factor and Veedor to Mexico
176. How we had arrived at the town of Ciguatepecad
177. What Cortés attended to after reaching Acalá
178. How we went on our way
179. How Cortés entered the town where the followers of Gil Gonzáles de Ávila were settled
180. How the day after arriving at that town San Gil de Buena Vista we set out with Captain Luis Marin
181. How Cortés embarked with all the soldiers and went to settle the place now called Puerto de Caballos
182. How the Captain Gonzalo de Sandoval began the pacification of that Province of Naco
183. How Cortés disembarked at the Port of Trujillo
184. How Captain Gonzalo de Sandoval, who was at Naco, caputed forty Spanish soldiers
185. How the Licentiate Zuazo sent a letter to Cortés from Havana
186. How certain friends of Pedrarias de Ávila went post haste from Nicaragua
187. How Cortés, going by sea in the direction of Mexico, met with a hurricane
188. How Cortés sent a ship to New Spain
189. How the Treasurer and many other gentlemen prayed the Franciscan Friars to send one Fray Diego Altamirano to Trujillo
Book XV. The Return to Mexico:
190. How Cortés embarked at Havana to go to New Spain
191. How the Licentiate Luis Ponce de Leon arrived at the port of Vera Cruz
192. How the Licentiate Luis Ponce ordered the Residence of Cortés
193. How, after the death of the Licentiate Luis Ponce de Leon, the Licentiate Marcos de Aguilar began to govern
194. How Marcos de Aguilar died
195. How letters came to Cortés from Spain from Don Garcia de Loaysa, Cardinal of Siguenza
Book XVI. The Rule of the Audiencia:
196. How during the time Cortés was in Castile with the title of Marquis
197. How Nuño de Guzman learned that His Majesty had ordered him to be deprived of the Presidency
198. How the Royal Audiencia arrived at Mexico
199. How Don Hernando Cortés, Marques del Valle, came from Spain
200. Of the expenditure which the Marquis Don Hernando Cortés incurred for the fleet
201. How great festivities and banquets were celebrated in Mexico
202. How the Viceroy Don Antonio de Mendoza sent three ships to explore the south coast
203. About a fleet which the Adelantado Don Pedro de Alvarado fitted out from a port called Acajutla
204. What the marquis did when he was in Castile
Book XVII. The Record of the Conquistadores:
205. A record of the gallant captains who left the island of Cuba
206. About the stature and shape of certain of the captains and brave soldiers
207. About the matters dealt with herein concerning the merits which we the true Conquistadores possess
208. How the Indians throughout New Spain practised many sacrifices and vices
209. How we impressed very good and holy doctrines on the Indians of New Spain
210. About other matters and advantages which have followed from our renowned conquests and labours
211. How in the year IVVI (1550) when the Court was at Valladolid there met together in the Royal Council of the Indies certain prelates and gentlemen who came from New Spain and Peru as proctors
212. About other discussions and stories which are here made known and will be pleasant to hear
213. Why many Indian men and women were branded as slaves in New Spain
214. About the Governors who have been in New Spain up to the year 1568
Appendices
Index.
Look Inside
Author
Bernal Díaz del Castillo
Editor
Genaro García
Translator
Alfred Percival Maudslay