AbstractsCommunication

This thesis presents the analysis of two major sources on the Spanish conquest of the Aztec realm (1521): the second letter written by Hernán Cortés, directed to the Spanish king Charles V, and the final book of the work of friar Bernardino de Sahagún (the Florentine Codex). The research aims to find out in what measure these texts may be considered as reliable historical reports. The first part of the thesis contains the analysis of the second letter of Cortés, trying to separate facts from propaganda. The second part analyses the pictures that accompany the text of the Florentine Codex, focusing on the material culture of the time. The main question here is whether the armour and weaponry depicted in these images were in fact used in the time of the conquest, were copied from earlier images or represent weapons observed at the time the book was written. In addition the thesis pays attention to the origin and impact of the ‘Black Legend’, which had a determining influence on the opinions about the Conquest in many Western European countries. Advisors/Committee Members: Jansen, M.E.R.G.N (advisor).