The Conquest of New Spain

The defeat of the Aztecs by Hernan Cortes and his small band of adventurers is one of the most startling military feats in history. Fifty years after the event Bernal Diaz (c. 1498-1580), who served under Cortes, wrote this account of the march from the coast, Montezuma’s death, the massacre of the Spaniards and the eventual capture of the capital of Mexico. Diaz inspired W. H. Prescott’s History of the Conquest and has been rendered here by J. M. Cohen, the translator of Don Quixote and other Penguin Classics.

Table of Contents

The expedition of Francisco Hernandex de Cordoba; the expedition of Juan de Grijalva; the expedition of Hernando Cortes – preparations; the voyage; Dona Marina’s story; a pause on the coast; the stay at Cempoala; the foundation of Vera Cruz; the march to Cingapacinga and return of Cempoala; events at Vera Cruz – the destruction of the 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; Cortes in difficulties; the flight from Mexico; Cortes collects fresh strength; expeditions around the lake; the siege and capture of Mexico.

Author Biography

Spanish historian Bernal Diaz del Castillo (c.1492-1584) was a soldier in the army of the conquistador Cortes in the attack on the Aztecs. J M Cohen translated widely from French and Spanish, including for Penguin Classics Montaigne’s Essays and Cervantes’ Don Quixote.