Conquest of New Spain Chronicle (Volume 1 and 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, 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. It not only introduces the preparations, the composition of the conquering forces, and their weaponry but also vividly depicts...
(Note: The rest of the text appears to be a continuation of the same passage, but due to the length and formatting constraints, I've provided a partial translation. If you'd like the entire passage translated, please let me know.)
Here's the continuation of the translation for the remaining part of the text:
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The renowned historians, in their writings, always begin with elaborate prefaces or introductions, filled with grand principles and skillful language, to elucidate the main purpose of their work, so that careful readers may grasp its essence. But 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 our 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 write down everything I have seen and the battles I have experienced, without favoring 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 thankfully, I have left behind this true and important history.
I will not dwell on this further but will now tell you who I am, where I am from, when I left Castile, which commanders I followed into battle, and where I now live.
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