The Events During The Spanish Conquest Of New Spain

The Conquest of New Spain was an interesting period of Spanish history, during this time the Spanish Empire was in a period of extensive. There are two sources that were written during this time, that portray events in different light. The first letter is written by Hernan Cortés to the Spanish king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles the V, and is a report written by Cortés about the Yucatan, describing its people and Cortés’ journey throughout these lands. The next letter is written by Bernal Diaz del Castillo a member of Cortés’ expedition, the letter itself is entitled Montezuma Stepped out of the Litter and is a description of the events surrounding the first meeting between Cortés’ expedition and the leader of the Aztecs Montezuma. Looking
It is because of this that in Cortez letters he often attempts to make Diego Velasquez look bad, claiming that he is trying to interfere with the expedition, stating in one part of the letter of Diego’s open defiance of a judges authority who commanded Diego not to chase after Cortés or face severe penalties but Diego did so
The account itself is entitled “To Secure Our Lives we Should Seize Montezuma.” Bernal’s account describes his experience in the Aztec capital and the various sights he sees touring around the city alongside Cortés group and the Aztec emperor Montezuma. Bernal’s account offers various descriptions of Aztec society; specifically goods being sold by merchants in the city’s marketplace some notable commodities are bronze tools, canoes filled with human excrement, slaves, animal skins and vegetables. All these goods provide the reader with valuable information on Aztec society. For example vegetables being sold at the market tell us the Aztecs practice some form of agriculture, the letter also discusses the hens, rabbits, ducks, deer and small dogs which gives us further insight into what the typical diet of Aztecs is like. On the other hand the bronze tools show that the Aztecs are capable of metalworking, and the canoes filled with human excrement according Bernal is for tanning leather. The letter continues on stating how large the market place is. After Montezuma’s arrival the king proceeds to take Cortés and his men on a tour of the city, they first head to a temple and climb the stairs, during which Cortés’ captains try to have a religious discussion with the king stating that “ Lord