The Despatches of Hernando Cortes

What It's About

These letters provide a firsthand account of a Spanish expedition into Mexico in the early 16th century, describing the journey inland, encounters with indigenous peoples, and the arrival in Tenochtitlán, the capital of the Aztec Empire. They chronicle key events that contributed to the eventual conquest and colonisation of the region under the Spanish Crown.

Key Concepts

Exploration and conquest, imperial ambition, cross-cultural encounters, early colonial administration, and descriptions of indigenous societies and cities.

Why It Matters

As a primary historical source, these letters offer insight into one of the most consequential encounters between Europe and the Americas. They reveal both the ambitions of Spanish expansion and the perspectives through which indigenous cultures were interpreted and recorded at the time.

About the Author

Hernando Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire. His actions played a central role in establishing Spanish control over large parts of mainland Mexico, making him a key figure in early colonial history.

About This Edition

This is a 19th-century English translation by George Folsom, first published in 1843, and includes an introduction, notes, and selections from the second, third, and fourth letters.