Conquest of New Spain Chronicle (Vol. 1 & 2)

Author: Bernal Díaz del Castillo
Publisher:
Publication Date: 1997-05-01
Features: This series also includes Of Work and Days, The Destruction of the Indies, The History of the English Church, Climate and Life, and Theoretical Geography. In this work, The Conquest of New Spain, the author, as a direct participant, provides a detailed account of the entire process of the Spanish conquest of Mexico. He not only introduces the preparations and the composition of the conquering forces but also vividly describes the weaponry and equipment.
As it is well known to me, most renowned historians, before beginning their main text, write lengthy prefaces or introductions filled with grand principles and elegant language to elucidate the purpose of their work, allowing careful readers to grasp its meaning. However, I am not a scholar, so I dare not write such a preface or introduction. To praise the heroic battles and achievements we accomplished in conquering the regions of New Spain under the command of the brave leader Hernán Cortés, and to fully demonstrate its greatness, would require great literary talent, which I do not possess.
However, as a witness, with the help of God, I can faithfully record everything I have seen and the battles I have experienced, without bias toward either side. I am now an old man over eighty-four, both deaf and blind, and I have no wealth to leave to my descendants. But fortunately, I have left behind this true and important history.
I shall not dwell further on this but shall now tell you who I am, where I am from, when I left Castile, which commanders I followed into battle, and where I now reside.