Chapter XIII: Part 13

The men of warre stoode in the house toppes and zoties beholding their perdition. All the nobilitie of _Mexico_ were enbarked with the kyng. Then _Cortes_ gaue signe with the shotte of a handgunne, that his captaines should be in a readinesse, so that in shorte space they wanne fully and wholy the great Cittie of _Mexico_. The Vergantines likewise brake in among the fléete of boates, without any resistaunce, and euery one sought where he might beste succour himselfe, the Royall Standarte was beaten downe. _Garcia Holguin_, who was captayne of a Vergantine, had espied a great _Canoa_ of .xx. ores déepe laden with men. And one of his prysoners sayde vnto him, that the king wente in that greate _Canoa_. _Holguin_ beyng gladde of the newes, gaue chase to that _Canoa_ and ouertooke him. In his foreship he had thrée crossebowe men. And when _Quahutimoc_ who stoode on the puppe of the _Canoa_ ready to fighte, sawe those bowes ready bente, and many drawen swordes, he yéelded himselfe, declaryng that he was the king. _Garcia Holguin_ being a gladde man of his prysoner, tooke and carried him vnto _Cortes_ who receiued him reuerently. When _Quahutimoc_ came neare vnto him, he layde his hande vpon _Cortes_ his dagger, saying, I haue done all my possibility to defende me and mine, accordyng to my duetie, hoping not to haue come to this estate and place where now I stande: And considering that you may doe with me what you please, I beséeche you to kill me, and that is my only request. _Cortes_ comforted him with faire words, giuyng him hope of life and seniory, and tooke him vp into a zotie, requiring him to commaund his subiectes to yéelde and render themselues: he obeyed his request. At that time there was about thrée score and tenne thousande persons, who in seing their Prince, threwe downe their weapons and submitted themselues.

The taking of Mexico.

In the order before declared, wanne _Hernando Cortes_ the famous cittie of _Mexico_, on tuesday being the .xiij. of August, _An._ 1521. in remembraunce wherof, and of the great victory, euery yéere on that day they make a sumptuous feast & solemne procession, wherin is carried the standart royall, with the whiche the cittie was won. The siege endured thrée moneths, & had therein .200000. _Indians_ .900. Spaniardes .80. horses .17. péeces of ordinaunce, 13. Vergantines, & 6000. _Canoas_. In this siege were slayne fiftie Spaniardes & sixe horses, & no great number of the _Indians_ their friends. There was slaine on the cötrary side a hundred thousand, and some affirme many moe: but I speake not of them that died with hunger and pestilence.

At the defence of the citie were al the nobilitie, by reason wherof many were slayne. The multitude of people was great, who eate litle, dranke salte water, and slepte among the dead bodies, where was a horrible stenche: for these causes the disease of pestilence fell among them, and thereof died an infinite number. Wherevpon is to be considered, their stedfaste determination, for although they were afflicted with such hunger, that they were dryuen to eate boughes, ryndes of trées, and to drinke salte water, yet woulde they not yéelde themselues. But at the laste they would haue submitted them, and then their kyng _Quahutimoc_ woulde not, bycause at the begynnyng they refused his will and counsell, and also with their generall deaths, should appeare no cowardise, for they kept the dead bodies in theyr houses to kéepe that secrete from theyr enimies. Here also is to bée noted, that although the _Mexicans_ eate mans fleshe, yet they eate none of their owne Cittie or friendes, as some doe thynke: for if they had, there woulde not so many haue died with hunger. The _Mexican_ women were highly commended, not onely bycause they aboade with their husbandes and Fathers, but also for the greate paynes they tooke with the sicke and wounded persons, yea and also they laboured in makyng slings, cuttyng stones fitte for the same, and throwyng stones from the soties, for therein they dyd as muche hurte as their men. The Cittie was yéelded to the spoyle, and the Spanyardes tooke the Golde, Plate and Feathers, the _Indian_ friends had all the rest of cloth and other stuffe.

_Cortes_ commaunded greate bonfiers to be made in token of victory, and also to mortifie the horrible stenche of the dead bodies, whome he lykewise commaunded to be buried, and some of the prysoners menne and women he caused to be marked in the face, for the Kings slaues, and pardoned all the residue. He commaunded the Vergantines to bée brought ashore, and appoynted one _Villa fuerte_, with .80. men to guarde thë, fearyng least the _Mexicans_ shold set fire or otherwise destroy them. In this businesse he occupied himself foure dayes, & then remoued his campe to _Culhuacan_, where he rendred hartie thanks to all the Gentlemen his friendes, promysing to gratifie their good and faythfull seruice, desiryng them to departe home to theyr houses, cösidering y^e warre was at an end, wherevpon they departed almost all in generall, both rich and iocond with the spoyle of _Mexico_, and also to remayne in the fauour and grace of _Cortes_.

Maruellous signes and tokens of the _destruction of Mexico_.

Not long before _Hernando Cortes_ came vnto the newe _Spayne_, did many nightes after the midnighte appeare in the aire, and in the same port and place where _Cortes_ entred into that land, great lightning of fire, whiche amounted vpward, and suddaynely vaded away. The _Mexicans_ at that time saw flames of fire toward the orient, where now _Vera Crux_ standeth, with a great and thicke smoke, that séemed to touche the heauen and earthe: thys sight was fearfull vnto them.

They also saw the figures of armed men fighte in the aire one with another, a new and strange sight for them, and a thing that filled their heads with ymaginations: for when there was a prophecie spoken of among them, how that white men with beardes should come and rule their kingdome in the time of _Mutezuma_. The Lordes of _Tezcuco_ and _Tlacopan_ were much amazed, saying, that the sword whiche _Mutezuma_ hadde, was the armes of those folke, whose figures they had séene in the ayre, with their apparell and attire. _Mutezuma_ had muche adoe to pacifie them, fayning that the weapon and apparell was of hys forefathers, and bycause they should sée the troth thereof, he gaue them the sworde, and willed them to breake it if they coulde, and they prouing to breake the same and could not, they maruelled thereat, and also were resolued of their opinions.

It shoulde séeme, that a little before these things happened, some of _Mutezuma_ his subiectes founde a chest of apparell and a sworde in it on the sea coast, which came floting out of some shippe that had wracked there about, and broughte it to their prince. Others affirme, that the cause of alteration among the noble men, was, when they saw the sword and apparell that _Cortes_ had sent vnto _Mutezuma_ by _Teudilli_, séeing it a thing so like the attire of the figures whiche they had séene in the ayre, but howsoeuer it was, they beléeued with these new tokens, that their Kingdome shoulde haue an ende, when they saw those straungers come into their Countrey.

The same yeare that _Cortes_ came into _Mexico_, appeared a vision vnto a certaine _Malli_, which is to say, a slaue taken in the warres to be sacrificed, who at the time of his deathe and Sacrifice, bewayled his sorrowfull ende; calling vppon the God of Heauen, who at that instante sawe in spirite a vision, and heard a voyce, bidding hym not to feare that death, for the God whome be had called vpon, would haue mercy vpon hym, willing hym also to say vnto the pristes and ministers of the Idols, that their wicked sacrifice and bloudsheding was néere at an ende, and that there was a people at hand, that should take away all that wicked and abhominable religion.

This _Malli_ was sacrificed in the middest of the market place of _Tlatelulco_, where at this daye is the place of execution.

They remembred, and noted well the wordes of the _Malli_, and the vision whiche they called a breath from heauen.

The earth also brake open, out of the whiche issued a maruellous greate streame of water, with many greate fishes, which they iudged and held for a strange pronostication.

The _Mexicans_ did reporte, that when on a time _Mutezuma_ came triumphantly with victory of _Xochnuxco_, said vnto the Lorde of _Culhuacan_: Now (quoth he) _Mexico_ is strong and inuincible, for I haue in subiection _Xochnuxco_, and other prouinces, so that now I am without feare of any enemie. The Lord of _Culhuacan_ aunswered, saying, trust not good King too muche, for one force forceth another, with the whiche aunswere, _Mutezuma_ was not a little offended. But when _Cortes_ hadde taken them both prisoners, then he called to remembrance the former talke, and held that saying for a prophesie.

The building vp agayne of _Mexico_.

_Cortes_ pretended to recdifie againe the Citie of _Mexico_, not onely for the scituation and maiestie, but also for the name & great fame thereof, and also to builde vp that which he hadde beaten downe, by reason whereof he trauelled to make this Citie greater, better, and to be more replenished with people. He named and appoynted Iudges, Aldermen, Attourneys, Towneclearke, Notaries, Skauengers, and Seriants, with all other officers, necessarie for the common weale of a Citie. He deuided the Citie among the Conquerors, hauing first taken out places for Churches, market places, townehouse, and other necessarie plottes to builde houses, profitable for the common weale. He also separated the dwellings of the _Spanyards_ from the _Indiäs_, so that the water passeth and maketh deuision betwixt them. Hée procured many _Indians_ to come to the building of the Citie, for auoiding charges, although therein he had somewhat to do, by reason that many kinsmen of _Quahutimoc_ were not as yet come vnder obedience.

[Sidenote: Seauen thousand Ceder beames.]

He made Lorde of _Tezcuco_, _Don Carolus Iztlixuchitl_, by the consent of the Citie, in place of _Don Hernando_ his brother, who was deceassed, and commaunded many of hys vassals to labour in the workes, bycause they were Carpenters, masons, and builders of houses. He promised also to them that were naturals of the Citie of _Mexico_, plottes to build vpon, inheritance, fréedome, and other liberties, and the like vnto all those that woulde come and inhabite there, whiche was a meane to allure many thither. He sette also at libertie _Xihuaco_ the generall Captayne, and made him chiefe ouer the _Indians_ in the Citie, vnto whome he gaue a whole stréete. He gaue likewyse another stréete to _Don Pedro Mutezuma_, who was sonne to _Mutezuma_ the King. All this was done, to winne the fauoure of the people. He made other Gentlemen Seniors of little Ilands and stréetes to builde vpon, and to inhabite, and in this order the whole scituation was reparted, and the worke began with great ioy and diligence: but when the fame was blowen abroade, that _Mexico_ should be built againe, it was a wonder to sée the people that resorted thither, hearing of libertie & fréedome, the number was so greate, that in a whole league compasse was nothing but people both men and women. They laboured sore, and eate little, by reason whereof, many sickned, and pestilence followed, whereof dyed an infinite number. Their paines was great, for they bare on theyr backes, and drew after them stones, earth, timber, lyme, bricke, and all other things necessary in this sort, and by little and little, _Mexico_ was built againe with a hundred thousande houses, more stronger and better than the olde building was. The Spanyardes also built their houses after the Spanish fashion. _Cortes_ built his house vpon the plotte where _Mutezuma_ his house stoode, whiche renteth now yéerely foure thousand duckates a yeare. _Pamfilo de_ _Naruaez_ accused him for the same, saying, that he hadde spoyled the woddes and mountaynes, and spente seauen thousand beames of Ceder trées in the worke of his own house. The number séemeth more héere than there, for where all the Mountaynes are replenished with Ceder trées, it is a small matter. There are Gardines in _Tezcuco_, that haue a thousand Ceder trées for walles and circuite, yea and there are Ceder trées of a hundred & twëty foote long, and twelue foote in compasse from ende to end. They built faire dockes couered ouer with arches for y^e Vergantines, whereas (for a perpetuall memorie) all the thirtéene Vergantines do remayne vntil this day. They dammed vp the stréetes of water, where now faire houses stand, so that _Mexico_ is not as it was wont to be, yea and since the yeare of 1524. the lake decreaseth, and sometime casteth out a vapour of stench, but otherwise it is a wholesome and temperate dwelling, by reason of the Mountaynes that standeth round about it, and well prouided through the fertilitie of the Countrey, and commoditie of the lake, so that now is _Mexico_ one of the greatest Cities in the world, and the most noble in all _India_, as well in armes as policie. There are at the least two thousande Citizens, that haue each of them his horse in his stable, with riche furniture for them. There is also great contractation, and all sortes of occupations. Also a money house, where money is dayly coyned: a fayre schole, whiche the Vizeroy _Don Antonio de Mendosa_ caused to be made. There is a greate difference betwixte an inhabitant of _Mexico_, and a Conqueror, for a Conqueror is a name of honor, and hathe landes and rentes, and the inhabitante or onely dweller payeth rente for hys house. When this Citie was a building, & not throughlye furnished, _Cortes_ came from _Culhuacan_ to dwell there. The fame of _Cortes_, and maiestie of _Mexico_, was blowen abroade into farre prouinces, by meanes whereof, it is now so replenished, as I haue before declared, yea & hath so many _Spanyards_, who haue conquered aboue 400. leagues of land, being all gouerned by the princely seate of _Mexico_.

Hovv the Emperour sent to take accompt _of Cortes of his gouernement in the newe Spayne_.

[Sidenote: The revvard of a knaue.]

In these dayes _Cortes_ was the man of the greatest name of all the Spanish nation, although many had defamed him, and especially _Pamfilo de Naruaez_, who was in the Court of Spaine accusing him. And where, of long time the Counsell of _India_ had receyued no letters from him, they suspected, yea and beléeued, whatsoeuer euil was spoken of him. Wherevppon they prouided the Admirall _Don Diego Colon_, for Gouernour of _Mexico_, who at that time went to lawe wyth the king, pretending the said office and many others, with condition to carrie at his owne coast a thousand men to apprehend _Cortes_. They prouided also for Gouernour of _Panuco_, one _Nonio de Gusman_, and _Simon de Alcazaua_ portingall, for gouernour of _Honduras_. To kindle more thys mischiefe, and to set this businesse forward, one _Iohn de Ribera_, the Attourney of _Cortes_, was a fitte and an earnest instrument againste his maister, and the cause was, for falling out with _Martin Cortes_, father vnto _Hernando Cortes_, about foure thousand Duckates which _Cortes_ had sent by him to his father, which money the said _Ribera_ his Attourney kept to his owne vse, and therefore raised many slaunders against his maister, yea and credite was giuen to his tales, but on a night he had a morsell of bacon gyuen him vppon a skaffolde, wherewith he was choked in the chiefe time of his businesse. These newe officers, and their prouisions, were not so secretely obteyned, but the matter was as secretely talked in the Courte, whiche at that time was abiding in the Citie of _Toledo_, and the procedings séeme not iust vnto the friends of _Cortes_. The Commendador _Pedro de Pina_ opened the matter to the Licenciat _Nouez_, and vnto father _Melgareio_, wherevppon they reclaymed of the Counsels determination, beséeching them to stay for a season, to sée what newes should come from _Mexico_. Also the Duke of _Beiar_ tendred the cause of _Hernando Cortez_, for that _Cortez_ by promise of faith and troth, was assured in marriage to his brothers daughter, named the Lady _Iane de Zuniga_, who aplaked the Emperoure his anger, and the saide Duke became suretie to aunswere in all causes for him.

The matter standing in this estate, there arriued in _Spayne Diego de Zoto_, with a whole Coluerin made of siluer, and 70000. castlins in golde, the newes whereof was blowen ouer all _Spaine_. And to say the troth, this presente was y^e cause, that _Cortes_ was not put out of his office, but a Iudge of residence was sent thither to take an accompt of him. Now a wise and a learned man was sought for that purpose, yea suche a one as could rule the matter, for some souldiers are oftentimes vnmanerly: whervpö they thought the Licenciat, _Lewes pouce de Leon_ a fitte mä, who had bin Lieutenante to _Don Martin de Cordoua_, Earle of _Alcaudete_, & chiefe gouernour of the citie of _Tolledo_. This Licenciate with power sufficient, was sent vnto the new _Spaine_, who carried in his company as assistant, the batcheler _Marcus de Aguillar_, who hadde ruled in time past, in a worshipfull office of Iustice in the Ilande of _Santo Domingo_.

With prosperous weather they departed from Spayne, and in shorte tyme arriued at _Vera Crux_, _Cortez_ hauing newes of their arriuall by foote postes within two dayes. And vppon Midsomer day came letters to _Cortes_ from the Licenciate _Ponce_, with another letter from the Emperour, wherby he vnderstood y^e cause of their comming. He returned backe incontinët an aunswere, and desired to know which way he would come to _Mexico_, eyther by y^e way inhabited, or else the other way which is néerer. The Licenciate replyed, that he woulde for a while abide in _Vera Crux_, to refresh himselfe, béeyng seasicke, and a man y^t had not heeretofore at any time passed the seas, thinking that _Cortes_ meante to haue done iustice on certain offenders, yea & also to haue takë hym by the way: wherefore he suspected, that _Cortes_ had sent, bycause he woulde knowe whiche way he meant to come, wherevpon he secretely tooke post horse, with certaine Gentlemë, and other religious persons that came in hys company, & passed through the Townes, although it was the farther way, and made suche hast, that in fiue dayes he came to _Iztacpallapan_, refusing the entertaynement and prouision of meate and lodging that _Cortes_ had prepared by his Gentlemë, that wët both the wayes to méete him.

In _Iztacpallapä_ they receyued him with great feast and maiestie, but after dinner, the Licenciate fell a vomiting, and the most of hys companye, and after the vomite, they fell into a flixe. They thoughte that certayne hearbes was the cause thereof, whiche were in a dishe of curdes. The Licenciate was somewhat gréedie of the curdes, and tooke the dishe, and offered it to father _Thomas Ortiz_, no (quoth the Stewarde) hys reuerence shall haue another dishe, no (quoth father _Ortiz_) I will none of these, nor yet of anye other, of whyche wordes there were afterwardes Verses made, suspecting somethyng of the curdes: but truely there was no hurte, or anye euill thyng putte in them, (as héereafter shalbe declared) for the _Comendador_, _Proano_, who was then chiefe Sheriffe, did eate of all those dishes, yea in the same dishe that the Licenciat eate of, who neyther vomited nor yet receyued any hurte or alteration. But I thinke, that they cömyng hoate, wery and hungry, did eate too muche, and dranke also colde water, whereby their stomackes reuolted, and thereof followed the flixe with vomite. On the behalfe of _Cortes_ there was presented to the Licenciat a riche present, but he refused it.

_Cortes_ with al the flower of Gentlemen in _Mexico_, came to receyue him, and giuyng him the right hand, they went togyther vntill they came to _Sainct Frances_ abbay, where after their praiers made, _Cortes_ demaüded to sée the kings prouisions, who answered, that the nexte day he woulde shew them vnto him: then they accompanied him to his house, where he was well lodged.

The nexte day followyng, all the magistrates of the Cittie mette the Licentiat in the cathedrall Church, and by acte, before the notary, he presented his auctoritie from the Emperour. He tooke the Vares of Iustice from the Iudges and Sargeants, and incontinent restored them agayne, and saide with gentle speach, this rodde of the Senior gouernour, I will haue for my selfe. _Cortes_ with all the other Magistrates kissed the Emperours letters, and put them vpon the crowne of their heads, in tokë of great obedience, saying, that they woulde obserue and obey all that was therein contayned, as the commaundement of their king and Lorde, requyring the same to be set downe by acte and testimony.

After these things done, they proclaymed the residence and account of iustice, of _Hernando Cortes_, to the intent that all persons who coulde accuse him of any vnrightful dealing, should come and make their complaint, and to haue remedy for the same. There should you then sée the stirre and talke among them, euery officer fearyng his owne cause, with desire to sée the ende of their businesse.

The death of the Licenciat _Luys Ponce_.

The Licenciat comming one day from _Saint Frances_ abbay from seruice, fell into an extréeme burnyng feuer, and lay him downe in his bedde, where he remayned the space of thrée dayes, as a man out of his wittes, and the feuer stil encreasing, so that on the seuenth day he yéelded vp the ghost. In the time of his sickenesse he receyued the communion, and made his laste will & testament. He left for substitute in his office, the bacheler _Marcus de Aguillar_. _Cortes_ made as greate sorrow for his death, as if he had bene his owne father, his funeralles were celebrated with great pompe.

[Sidenote: A madde daunce.]

The enimies of _Cortes_ published, that he died of poyson. But the Licenciat _Pero Lopez_, and Doctor _Hoieda_, who were his Phisitions, swore that he died of a burnyng feuer, and shewed a further consequence, that the euenyng before he deceased, he desired them to play the measures vpon a lute, and as he lay in his bedde, shewed with stirryng his féete the compasses and pointes of the daunce. It was a thing which diuers persons saw, and forthwith he lost his speach, and that night towarde the dawning of the day he yéelded vp his spirite. I thinke that fewe men do die daüsing, as this Lawier did. The number of a hundred persons came out of Spayne with the Licenciat, whereof the moste parte died by sea and on the lande. It was suspected to be a pestilence, for one of them infected another. There were in his company many Gentlemen & ech of them had an office. There was a Frier who was a very slaunderous fellow, & reported that _Cortes_ had poysoned the Licenciat, and also that the Licenciat had an expresse order from the Emperour to cut of _Cortes_ his head, as sone as he had taken the Vare of Iustice from him. The subtle Frier, had thought to haue gotten money of the one, and thankes of the other, and at the ende had nothyng.

Hovv Cortez came into _Spayne_.

VVhere one _Alonso de Estrada_ gouerned the state of _Mexico_, as substitute of _Marcus de Aguillar_, accordying to the Emperours commaundement, _Cortes_ considered with himselfe that it was not possible for him to haue agayne his office, except he wente personally to the Emperours court, where he had many aduersaries and fewe friendes, so that he was afflicted on euery side: yet he in fine determined to goe into Spayne, as well for businesse of importaunce of his owne, as also matters touchyng the Emperour and his new kingdoms whereof I will reherse particularly some.

As touchyng his owne causes, first he beyng a man of good yéeres, went to marry, hoping to haue children, vnto whom he might leaue the profite of his labour and payne: also to appeare before the King his maister face to face, and to enforme his Maiestie what landes and Kyngdomes hée had wonne and brought vnto his royall crowne: To signifie lykewise vnto hym, of the dissention among the Spanyardes hys subiectes in _Mexico_, and to answere for himselfe, to any false reportes whiche had bene made agaynst hym: And finally, to receyue a condigne rewarde for hys worthie and faythfull seruice. _Cortes_ beyng in these imaginations, there was brought a letter vnto him, from the reuerend father _Garcia de Loaisa_ ghostly father vnto the Emperour, and afterwarde was ordeyned Cardinall, in the whiche letter he conuited him earnestly to come vnto Spayne, to the entent that the Emperours Maiestie mighte bothe sée and know him, assuring him of his friendshippe. After the receyte of this letter, he made al the hast possible to departe vpon his iourney, ceasing from his voyage whiche he had in hande, for to inhabite the riuer _De las Palmas_. Before his departure he dispatched twoo hundred Spaniardes, & thrée score and ten horsemen, with many _Mexicans_ for the countrey of _Chichimea_, to inhabite there, finding the lande riche of siluer mines, as it was reported, giuyng vnto those men expresse order, that if the people of that prouince did not entertayne them with friendship, that then they should accept thë as enimies, and forthwith to make warre, and to take them for slaues, for that they are a barbarous people. He wrote his letter to _Vera Crux_, to prepare with all spéede twoo good shippes, and for that purpose he sent _Pero ruiz de Esquiuel_, who was a Gentleman of Siuill: But he wente not on the iourney, for a moneth after, they founde him buried in a little Iland of the lake, with one hande out of the graue, whiche was eaten with dogges and foule: he was buried in his dublet and his hose: he had one onely wounde in his forehead: And a _Negro_, his slaue, who wente in his company, was neuer hearde of, nor yet the _Canao_ and _Indians_ that wente with him, so that the truth of his death was neuer knowen.

_Cortes_ made an Inuentary of his moueable goodes, whiche was valued at twoo hundred thousande Castlins of golde: he left for gouernour of his owne estate, the Licenciat _Altamirano_ his kinsman, with other two friends: he furnished twoo shippes, and proclaymed frée passage and victuals vnto all those that would goe in his cöpany: he shipped for his owne account a thousand fiue hundred markes of siluer, twentie thousand Castlins in good gold, and ten thousand Castlins of base golde. He tooke in his company _Gonsalo de Sandoual_, _Andres de Tapia_, and other of the chiefest of the conquerours. He brought with him a Sonne of _Mutezumas_, & another Sonne of _Maxixca_, who was become a Christian, & named _Don Lorenso_, with many other _Indian_ Gentlemen of _Mexico_, _Tlaxcallan_, and other cities: eight players with a cudgell, twelue tenis players, with certaine men & women of that countrey, who were white of colour, and other dwarfes & deformed persons. He brought also wilde beasts, as Tigres, & other strange beastes called _Aiotochtli_, and one _Tlaquaci_. Moreouer he brought a great number of mantels made of feathers & Conny heare, Targets, bushes or tuffes of galant feathers, and looking glasses of stone. In fine, he came lyke a great Lorde, & arriued in Spayne, in the ende of the yéere 1528. the Courte being then in _Tolledo_. The newes of his arriuall was blowen through out all Spayne, and euery one desirous to sée him.

The honour vvhiche the Emperour _shewed vnto Hernando Cortes, with rewarde_.

The Emperour receyued _Cortes_ magnifically, and to giue him the greater honour, he went & visited him at hys owne lodging.

The Emperour beyng in a readinesse to passe into Italy, to be there crowned with the Emperiall crowne, _Cortes_ went in his maiesties company vnto the Citie of _Saragoza_, whereas his Maiestie calling to remembrance his worthy seruice, & valour of his person, made him _Marques del valle de Huaxacac_, accordyng to his desire, on the .vi. of July, _An._ 1528, and Captayne generall of the newe Spayne, with all the prouinces and coast of the south sea, chiefe discouerer and inhabiter of the same coaste and Ilandes, with the twelfth parte of all that after that tyme should be discouered, for a sure inheritaunce to him and his discendentes: he offered vnto him also the habite of the order of Knighthoode of Saint Iames, the whiche offer _Cortes_ refused, bycause there was no rent gyuen with the habite, but he besought his Maiestie to graunt vnto him the gouernmët of _Mexico_, the whiche request the Emperour denied, bycause that no Conquerour shoulde thinke that the office of gouernment and iustice is due vnto hym, for the like demaunde was desired of the king _Don Fernando_, by _Cristoual Colon_ who firste discouered the _India_, and also the great Captaine _Gonsalo Hernandoz de Cordoua_, who conquered _Naples_. _Cortes_ deserued muche, and also the Emperour gaue him much, to honour him as a most bountifull and gratefull King, who neuer taketh away that whiche once he giueth. He likewise gaue vnto _Cortez_ all the kyngdome of _Michuacan_, but hée had rather haue had diuers other townes whiche he demaunded, many other great fauours and rewardes he receyued at the Emperours handes, but the principall are those before declared.

The Mariage of Cortez.

VVhen it was knowen in Spayne, that the lady _Catherin Xuares_, wife vnto _Cortes_, was deceassed in _India_, by intercessours he was assured vnto the Duke of _Beiar_, his brothers daughter, who was named the Lady _Iane_ of _Zuniga_: hyr fathers name was _Don Carolus de Arrellano_, Earle of _Aguilar_. This Lady was a bewtifull Dame, and hyr brethrene noble personages, who were highly in fauour with the Emperour. And _Cortes_ to matche with so honorable an house and lynage he iudged himselfe fortunate and well maried.

[Sidenote: The riche Emeraldes.]

Among many Iewelles whiche _Cortes_ broughte with him, were fiue moste riche and fine Emeraldes, whiche were valued at a hundreth thousande Duckets: the one was wrought lyke vnto a Rose, an other like a Cornet, an other lyke a fishe with the eyes of golde, whiche was a maruellous péece of worke, beyng wrought among _Indians_: an other péece was wrought lyke vnto a bell, with a great and a riche pearle for the clapper, garnished with golde, ingrauen about with letters, whiche sayde, Blessed is he that created thée. The fifth was made lyke a cuppe with the foote of gold, and had foure little chaynes of gold, that were ioyned all at the top togither, in a great pearle, and the brimme of this cuppe was of gold, with this verse ingrauen rounde aboute, _Inter nates mulierum non furrexit maior_. For this onely péece the Merchantes of _Geneua_ did offer fourtie thousand Ducates, for to sel the same again to the great Turke. But at that tyme _Cortes_ woulde not giue it for any money, although afterwarde he lost them all in the warres of _Argel_, beyng there with the Emperour. It was told _Cortes_ that the Empresse desired to haue those péeces, meaning to demaunde them of him, and that the Emperour shoulde pay for the same, for whiche cause he sent them to the Lady his newe wife, with many other Iewelles before he came at the Courte, and there, when he was enquired for them, he answered, and excused himselfe, for then certaynely he gaue suche Iewels vnto his Espouse, that the lyke neuer Lady had in Spayne. And after he was maried to the Lady _Iane_ of _Zuniga_, he departed with hyr to the newe Spayne, with title of _Marques_.

Hovv the Chancery vvas first placed _in Mexico, and certayne Diuelishe pretences wrought against Cortes_.

Before _Cortes_ his cöming into Spayne, _Pamfilo de Naruaez_ his old enimy wët vp & down in the Court, procuring the conquest of the riuer _De Palmas_ & _Florida_, where at the laste he died, and alwayes when he saw time conuenient he made cöplaints against _Cortes_, yea and to the Emperours owne hand he deliuered a scrole of many articles, amög the which was one, wherein he affirmed that _Cortes_ had as many barres of gold and siluer, as in _Biscay_ were barres of yron, and offered to proue the same: but although it was not true, yet it was suspicious. He also earnestly procured that he shold be punished, saying that he had plucked out one of his eyes, & killed with poyson the Licenciat _Luys ponce de Leon_, & _Francisco Garay_. Through his many and importunate petitiös, it was determined to send to _Mexico_, _Don Pedro de la Cueua_, who was bothe fierce and seuere, and Lorde stewarde of the Emperour his house, and afterwarde made general of the ordinance, and chiefe Comendador of the order and knighthood of _Alcantara_, who findyng the accusation true, should cut off _Cortes_ his head.

But as God would, in the meane season came the testimoniall from the Doctor _Hoieda_, and the Licenciat _Pero Lopez_, Phisitions, who had cured the persons that were reported to haue bene poysoned, whervpon that commission ceased. And when _Cortes_ came into Spayne, _Don Pedro de la Cueua_ would many times laugh and iest with him, saying, From farre places long lies.

[Sidenote: Before the Iudges came, Cortez vvas gone to Spayne.]

The Emperour and his councell of _India_ prouided a Courte of Chancery in _Mexico_, as chiefe place, where as all controuersies and matters of righte throughout the new _Spayne_ mighte there be determined, and also to correct the mutinies, and partes taking among the Spanyardes: likewise to take residence and accompte of _Cortes_, and to be satisfyed both of his seruice and offences. Moreouer that they should visite the officers, and royall Treasorie there. _Munio de Gusman_ was appoynted president and gouernoure, with other foure Licenciates for Iudges to accompany him. He departed toward _Mexico_ Anno 1529. and at his comming, he began to vnderstande in his regimente and office, with the Licenciate _Iohn Ortiz_, for the other thrée Iudges died by the way. _Cortes_ béeing nowe absente, and vppon his iourney toward _Spayne_, this newe Iudge made a terrible residence and condemnation againste him, and commaunded all his goodes to be solde by out-thrappe, for a greate deale lesse then hys goodes were worth, and in his absence they called him by Proclamation: but if he hadde bin there present, his life had bin in daunger, although face to face some respect is had, and it is an ordinarie rule that the Iudge sheweth rigoure against him that is absent. This hatred was not only against _Cortes_, but also againste his friendes, for hée apprehended _Pedro de Aluarado_, who was newly come from _Spayne_, bycause he spake in the fauour of _Cortez_, laying to his charge the rebellion of _Mexico_, when _Naruaez_ was there. He also apprehended _Alonso de Estrada_, & manye others, doing manifest wrongs vnto them.

[Sidenote: A good sentence.]

In shorte space the Emperour had more complayntes against _Nunio de Gusman_, and the other Iudge, than had bin héeretofore againste any other, wherevpon he was put out of office in the yeare 1530. His wrongful dealing in iustice was not onely proued in _Mexico_, but also in the Court of _Spayne_, with many persons that were come from thence, so that the nexte president and Iudges that went thither, did pronounce _Nunio de Gusman_ and his fellowe for partiall Iudges, and enimies vnto _Cortes_, and condemned him to pay all his goodes whiche were euill solde. But whë _Nunio de Gusman_ vnderstoode that he was put out of office, he then was afraide, and tooke his iourney against the _Teuchichimecas_, séeking after the Towne of _Culhuacan_, from whence the _Mexicans_ descended. He caried in his company fiue hundred Spanyardes, whereof the most were horsemen, and many of them went as prisoners, and against their willes.

[Sidenote: Abhominable fact.]

In _Mechuacan_ he tooke prisoner the King _Caconcin_, who was a great friende vnto _Cortes_, a seruitor vnto the Spanyards, and vassal to the Emperour, and as the same goeth, he tooke from him tenne thousande markes of plate, and much golde, and afterward burned him, and many other Gentlemen, and principal persons of that kingdome, bycause they shoulde not complayne, saying, that a dead dogge biteth not. He tooke from thence sixe thousand _Indians_ for the seruice of his army, and with them conquered _Xalixco_, whiche is nowe called the new _Gallizia_. He abode there, vntill the Vizeroy _Don Antonio de Mondoza_, and Chancery of _Mexico_, caused him to be apprehended, who sent him prisoner into Spayne, to giue accompte of his office. If _Nunio de Gusman_ had bin so good a gouernour and Iudge, as he was in bloud a Gentleman, he had then enioyed the best plot of all the West _India_, but he behaued himselfe euill, both with the _Indians_ and _Spanyards_.

The same yeare that he came from _Mexico_, went thyther for president _Sebastian Ramirez_, who was a Bishop, and had in time past bin presidente in _Santo Domingo_, and the Licenciates _Iohn de Salmeron_, _Gasco Quiroga_, _Francisco Ceynos_, and _Alonso Maldonado_, for Iudges to accompany him.

These Iudges gouerned well the land, and caused the Citie of _Angels_ to be inhabited which the _Indians_ called _Cuetlaxcoapan_, that is to say a Snake in water. The reason was, bycause they haue two fountaynes, the one of euill water, and the other of good. This Citie standeth twentie leagues from _Mexico_, in the high way to _Vera Crux_. The Bishop set the _Indians_ at libertie, and therefore many Spanyards departed from thence, who hadde inhabited there before, and wente to séeke their liuing at _Xalixco_, _Hunduras_, _Quahutemallan_, and other places where warre was.

The returne of Cortez to Mexico.

At this season arriued _Cortes_ at the riche Towne of _Vera Crux_, and when his comming was published, how he came wyth title of Marquez, and had broughte hys wife with him, an infinite number of _Indians_ came to visite him, and almost all the Spanyards of _Mexico_, so that in few dayes there came a thousand persons of his owne nation, who made theyr complaintes vnto him, how they were vndone, and that the Iudges which had bin there, had destroyed both him and them, and asked his iudgement whether that nowe they might kill both them and theirs. _Cortes_ hearing their odious request, reprehended them, and also gaue them hope shortly to reléeue their necessitie with new discoueries, and in this order fearing some mutinie, he held them in pleasure and pastime.

When the president hearde howe _Cortes_ was visited of the Spanyaryds, they commaunded forthwith euery one of them shoulde immediately returne to _Mexico_, or else, where their dwelling places were vpö paine of death, yea and they were aboute to apprehende _Cortes_ for a stirrer of vprore, and to sende him backe againe prisoner into _Spayne_. But when he saw howe soone these Iudges were moued, he commaunded to proclayme himselfe openly in _Vera Crux_ Captayne Generall of all the dominions of the new _Spayne_, and there caused the Emperours letters pattentes to be redde, whiche thing being knowen to the _Mexican_ Iudges, it caused them to wring their noses. After this diligence ended, he departed toward _Mexico_ wyth a great company of _Spanyards_ and _Indians_, among whom were a good company of horsemen: but when he came to _Tezcuco_, the President sent to commaund him not to enter into _Mexico_, vpon payne of losse of his goodes, and hys body to be at the Kings pleasure.

He obeyed the commaundemente with greate wysedome, being a thing conuenient to the seruice of the Emperour, and profite of the land, which he had wonne wyth great toyle and laboure: but yet he abode in _Tezcuco_ with a greater maiestie and court, than the President in _Mexico_, and wrote vnto him, that he should consider his good will and whole intent, and not to giue occasion to the _Indians_ to rebell, and for the _Spanyards_ he might assure hymselfe.

The _Indians_ vnderstäding y^e discord betwixt the President and _Cortes_, slew as many Spanyards as they coulde get at aduantage, so that in fewe dayes there wanted aboue two hundred of the Spanish nation, being slayne as well in Townes, as in the high wayes, yea and also they had communed among themselues to rebell in déede. But when the Bishop and the Iudges heard this newes, they began to feare the matter, and considering that they had no better remedy, nor other sure defence, but only y^e name valor, person, and authoritie of _Cortes_, they sente to desire him to come vnto _Mexico_, wherevpon he obserued theyr commaundement and request, & wente toward the Citie, well accompanyed with men of warre, so that he shewed himselfe in estate a generall captaine. All the Citizens came out to receiue him and the lady Marques his wife: his entrie into the cittie was a day of great pleasure among them. Then the president and iudges entred into counsell for to remedie the greate hurt whiche had bene done by the _Indians_. _Cortes_ toke the matter in hand, and apprehended many _Indians_, of whom some he burned, others wer torne with dogges, he did such correction, that in shorte time al the countrey was quiet, and the highe ways without daunger, a thing worthy of great thanks.

The letters that the Indians vsed in _Mexican_.

There hath not bin found letters at any time in the Weast _India_, onely in the newe Spain were vsed certain figures which serued for letters, with the which they kept in memorie, and preserued their antiquities. The figures y^t the _Mexicans_ vsed for letters are great, by reason whereof they occupy gret volumes: they ingraue them in stone or timber, and paint them vpon walles, and also vpon a paper made of cotten wool, and leaues of the tree _Metl_. Their bookes are great and folden vp like vnto our broade clothes, and written vpon both sides. There are some bokes rolled vp like a piece of flannel. They pronoüce not .b.g.e.f. Therfore they vse much .p.e.l.x. This is the Mexical spéech, and _Nahual_, which is the best, playnest, and moste eloquent, in al newe Spayne. There are some in _Mexico_ that do vnderstand ech other, by whistling, whiche is ordinarily vsed among louers, & théeues, a spéeche truely to wonder at, & none of our men could come to the knowledge therof.

The order hovv to recken.

_Ce_ One _Ome_ Two _Ei_ Thrée _Naui_ Foure _Macuil_ Fiue _Chicoace_ Sixe _Chicome_ Seauen _Chicuei_ Eight _Chiconaui_ Nine _Matlac_ Tenne _Matlactlioce_ Eleuen _Matlactliome_ Twelue _Matlactlomei_ Thirtéene _Matlactlinaui_ Fourtéene _Matlactlinacui_ Fiftéene _Matlactlichicoace_ Sixtéene _Matlactlichicome_ Seuentéene _Matlactlichicuei_ Eightéene _Matlactlichiconaui_ Ninetéene _Cempoalli_ Twentie

Euery number is simple, vntil you come to sixe, and then they count, six and one, sixe and two, sixe and thrée. Ten is a number by himselfe, then you must counte ten and one, tenne and two, tenne and thrée, tenne and foure, tenne and fiue.

Then you count ten fiue and one, tenne fiue and two, ten fiue and thrée. Twenty goeth by himselfe, and al the greater numbers.

The Mexican yeare.

The _Mexicans_ yeare is thrée hundered sixtie dayes, for they haue in their yere eightéene monethes, and euery moneth contayneth twentie dayes. They haue other fiue odde dayes, whiche goeth by themselues, in the which they vsed to celebrate greate feastes of cruell and bloudy sacrifice, with much deuotion. And reconing after this sort, they could not choose but erre, for they could not make equal the punctuall course of the Sunne. Yea the Christian yere is not perfit, although we haue learned Astronomers. But yet these simple _Indians_ wente neare the marke.

The names of the moneths.

_Tlacaxipeualiztli._ _Tozcuztli._ _Huei Tozeuztli._ _Toxcalt._ _Ecalcoaliztli._ _Tocuilhuicintli._ _Hueitecuilhuitl._ _Miccailhuicintli._ _Veymiccailhuitl._ _Vchpaniztli._ _Pachtli._ _Huei Pachtli._ _Quecholli._ _Panquecaliztli._ _Hatemuztli._ _Tititlh._ _Izcalli._ _Coavitleuac._

The names of dayes.

_Cipactli_ A Spade _Hecatl_ Ayre or Winde _Calli_ A House _Cuez Pali_ A Lizart _Coualt_ A Snake _Mizquintli_ Death _Macatl_ A wilde Hart _Tochtli_ A Conny _Atl_ Water _Izcuyntli_ A Dogge _Ocumatli_ An Ape _Malinalli_ A Brome _Acatlh_ A Caue _Ocelotl_ A Tigre _Coautli_ An Egle _Cozcaquahutl_ A Bussard _Olin_ A Temple _Tepatlh_ A Knife _Quiauitl_ Rayne _Xuchitl_ A Rose

Althoughe these twentie names serue for the whole yere, and are but the dayes of euery moneth, yet therfore euery moneth beginneth not with _Cipactli_, which is the first name, but as they followe in order, and the fiue odde dayes is the cause thereof. And also bycause theyr wéeke is of thirtéene dayes, which changeth the names, as by example, _Cecipactli_ can go no further thä vnto _Matlactlomeiacatl_, which is thirtéene, and then beginneth an other wéeke: and we do not say _Matlactlinaui Ocelotl_, whiche is the fourtéenth day, but we say _Ceocelotl_ whiche is one, and then recken the other sixe names, vnto twenty. And when al the twentie dayes are ended, begin againe to recken from the first name of the twentie, but not frö one, but from viij. And bicause ye may better vndrestand the matter, here is the example.

_Cecipactli._ _Omehecatl._ _Ei Calli._ _Naui Cuezpali._ _Macuilcouatl._ _Chicoacen Mizquinth._ _Chicome Macatl._ _Chicuei Tochtli._ _Chiconauiatl._ _Matlaciz Cuintli._ _Mailactlioce Ocumatli._ _Matlactliome Malinalli._ _Matlactlomei Acatlh._

The next wéeke following doth begin his dayes from one. And that one is the fouretéenth name of the moneth and of the dayes, and saith.

_Ceocelotl._ _Omecoautli._ _Eicozcaquahutli._ _Naui Olui._ _Macuil Tecpatl._ _Chicoacen Quiauitl._ _Chicome Xuchitl._ _Chicoei Cipactli._

In this second wéeke, _Cipactli_ came to fal on the eighte day, being in the first wéeke the first day.

_Cemacatl._ _Ometochtli._ _Eiatl._ _Nauizi cunitli._ _Macuil Ocumatli._

And so proceede on to the thirde wéeke, in the which this name _Cipactli_ entreth not, but _Macatl_, which was the seuenth day in the first wéeke, & had no place in y^e second, and is the first in the third. This reconing is no darker, than ours, which we haue in a.b.c.d.e.f.g. For they also change with time, and runne in such sort, that .a. whiche was the firste letter of this moneth, commeth to be the fift daye of the nexte moneth, and the thirde moneth he counteth to be the third day, and so orderly doth the other sixe letters.

The accounting of yeares.

These _Mexicans_ had another order to recken theyr yeares, which exceded not aboue foure in number, as one, two, thrée, foure, wherewith they accounte a hundred, fiue hundred, a thousand, and as many moe as they lust. Those foure figures or names are, _Tochtli_, _Acatlh_, _Tecpatlh_, _Calli_, and do signifye, a Conny, a Caue, a Knife, and a House, saying.

_Ce Totchtli_ One yeare _Ome Acatlh_ Two yeares _Ei Tecpatlh_ Thrée yeares _Naui Calli_ Foure yeares _Macuil Tochtli_ Fiue yeares _Cicoacen Acatlh_ Sixe yeares _Cicome Tecpatlh_ Seauen yeares _Chicuei Calh_ Eight yeares _Chiconaui Tochtli_ Nine yeares _Matlactli Acatlh_ Tenne yeares _Matlactlioce Tecpatlh_ Eleuen yeares _Matlactliome Calli_ Twelue yeares _Matlactliomei Tochtli_ Thirtéene yeares

So that the reconing passeth not aboue thirtéene, whiche is one wéeke of the yeare, and endeth where he began.

Another Weeke.

_Ce Acatlh_ One yeare _Ome Tlepatlh_ Two yeares _Ei Calli_ Thrée yeares _Naui Tochtli_ Foure yeares _Macuil Acatlh_ Fiue yeares _Chicoacen Tecpatlh_ Sixe yeares _Chicome Calli_ Seuen yeares _Cichuei Tochtli_ Eight yeares _Chiconaui Acatlh_ Nine yeares _Matlactli Tecpatlh_ Tenne yeares _Matlactlioce Calli_ Eleuen yeares _Matlactliome Tochtli_ Twelue yeares _Matlactliomei Acatlh_ Thirtéene yeares

The third vveeke of yeares.

_Ce Tecpatlh_ One yeare _Ome Calli_ Two yeres _Ei Tochtli_ Thrée yeres _Naui Acatlh_ Foure yeres _Macuil Tecpatlh_ Fiue yeres _Chicoacan Calli_ Sixe yeares _Chicome Tochthi_ Seauen yeares _Chicuei Acatlh_ Eight yeares _Chiconaui Tecpatlh_ Nine yeares _Matlactli Calli_ Tenne yeares _Matlactliome Tochtli_ Eleuen yeares _Matlactliome Acatlh_ Twelue yeares _Matlactliomei Tecpatlh_ Thirtéene yeares

The fourth Weeke.

_Ce Calli_ One yeare _Ome Tochtii_ Two yeares _Ei Acatlh_ Thrée yeares _Naui Tecpatlh_ Foure yeares _Macuil Calli_ Fiue yeares _Chicoacen Tochtli_ Sixe yeares _Chicome Acatlh_ Seauen yeares _Chicuei Tecpatlh_ Eight yeares _Chiconaui Calli_ Nine yeares _Matlactli Tochtli_ Tenne yeares _Matlactlioce Acatlh_ Eleuen yeares _Matlactliome Tecpatlh_ Twelue yeares _Matlactliomei Calli_ Thirtéene yeares

Ech of these wéekes, which our men cal Indition, doth conteyne thirtéene yeares, so that all the foure wéekes make two and fiftie yeares, which is a perfit number in the reconing, and is called the yeare of grace, for from fiftie two yeres, to fiftie two yeares, they vsed to make solemne feastes, with strange Ceremonies, as hereafter shall be declared. And when fiftie two yeares are ended, then they beginne againe, by the same order before declared, vntil they come to as many moe, beginning at _Ce Tochtli_, and so forwarde. But alwayes they begin at the Conny figure. So that in the forme of reconing they kepe & haue in mëmorye, things of 850. yeares, and by this Cronicle they know in what yere euerye thing hapned, and how long euery king raygned: howe many children they had, and all things else that importeth to the estate of the gouernement of the lande.

The Indians beleeued that fiue ages _were past, which they called Sunnes_.

The _Indians_ of _Culhua_ did beléeue that the Gods had made y^e world, but they knew not how, yet they beléeued that since the creation of the world four Sunnes were past, and that the fift and last is y^e Sunne that now giueth light to the world.

They helde opinion that the firste Sunne perished by water, and at the same time all liuing creatures perished likewise.

The second Sunne (say they) fell from the heauës, with whose fall all liuing creatures were slayne, and then (said they) were manye Giantes in that Countrey, and certayne monstrous bones, which our men found in opening of graues, by proportion whereof, some shoulde séeme to be men of twenty spannes high.

The third Sunne was consumed by fire, whiche burned day and night, so that then all liuing creatures were burned.

The fourth Sunne finished by tempest of ayre or winde, which blew downe houses, trées, yea and y^e mountaynes and Rockes were blowë asunder, but the lignage of mankinde perished not, sauing that they were conuerted into Apes. And touching the fift Sunne, which now raigneth, they know not how it shall consume. But they say that when the fourth Sunne perished, all the worlde fell into darkenesse, and so remained for the space of fiue and twenty yeares continually, and at the fiftenth yeare of that fearefull darkenesse, the Gods did forme one man and a woman, who brought forth children, and at the end of the other tenne yeares, appeared the Sunne whiche was newly borne vppon the figure of the _Conny_ day, and therfore they begin their account of yéeres at y^t day, & reckoning from the yeare of oure Lorde 1552. their age or Sunne is 858. so that it appeareth that they haue vsed many yeares their writing in figures: and they had not onely this vse from _Cetochtli_, whiche is the beginning of their yeare, moneth, and day of their fifth Sunne, but also they hadde the same order and vse in the other foure Sunnes which were past: but they let many things slippe out of memorie, saying, that with the newe Sunne, all other things should be likewise new. They held also opinion, that thrée dayes after this last Sunne appeared, all the Gods did dye, and that in processe of time the Gods whiche nowe they haue, and worshippe, were borne. And through these false opinions, our Diuines did soone conuert them to the knowledge of the true lawes of God.

The nation of the Indians called _Chichimecas_.