The Conquest of New Spain

2020 Reprint of the 1963 Edition.  Full facsimile of the original edition and not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software.  Díaz took part in the campaigns against the Mexica, later called the Aztec Empire. He was a highly experienced member of Hernán Cortés's expedition. During this campaign, Díaz spoke frequently with his fellow soldiers about their experiences. These accounts, and especially Díaz's own experiences, served as the basis for the recollections that Díaz later told with great drama to visitors and, eventually, in a book entitled Conquest of New Spain. Therein Díaz describes many of the 119 battles in which he claims to have participated in, culminating in the defeat of the Aztecs in 1521. This work also claims to describe the diverse native peoples living in the territory renamed New Spain by the Spaniards. Bernal Díaz also examines the political rivalries of the Spaniards, and gives accounts of the natives' human sacrifices, cannibalism and idolatry, which he claims he witnessed first-hand, as well as the artistic, cultural, political and intellectual achievements of the Aztecs, including their palaces, market places and beautifully organized botanical and zoological gardens. His account of the Mexica along with that of Cortés are first-person accounts recording important aspects of Mesoamerican culture. His account remains one of the best accounts we have of Mexico at the time of the conquest.

Contents: The expedition of Francisco Hernandez de Cordoba -- The expedition of Juan de Grijalva -- The expedition of Hernando Cortez : preparations -- The voyage -- Doa Marina's story -- A pause on the coast -- The stay at Cempoala -- The foundation of Vera Cruz -- The march to Cinggapacinga and return to Cempoala -- Events at Vera Cruz : the destruction of ships -- The Tlascalan campaign -- Peace with Tlascala : embassies from Mexico -- The march to Mexico -- The entrance into Mexico -- The stay in Mexico -- Montezuma's captivity -- Cortez in difficulties -- The flight from Mexico -- Cortes collects fresh strength -- Expeditions around the lake -- The siege and capture of Mexico.