Letters of Cortes: The Five Letters of Relation from Fernando Cortes to the Emperor Charles V

by Hernán Cortés

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Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography, Spain, Classics, Renaissance, Spanish Literature

396 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1521

About the author

Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, 1st Marquess of the Valley of Oaxaca (1485–1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish explorers and conquistadors who began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas.

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could as easily give this one star. Cortez's account of his conquest of the Aztec empire is on the one hand utterly horrifying--it's as if the influenza virus were writing its life story. On the other hand, it's a riveting, nail-biting work of what amounts to science fiction, in the old Edgar Rice Burroughs vein. A small band of voyagers lands on an alien planet and takes over. Unique, anyway.

[Marlen Leiva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Este libro entrega una visión panorámica de lo que fue la conquista de México por Hernán Cortés, un hombre renacentista ambicioso y estratega, que busca el afán de gloria y fama, además de las riquezas que se puedan encontrar en tierras lejanas de Technochtitlan.
Relata el período de la conquista, la visión. del hombre indígena, su estructura social y económica.

[Wes · Rating 5 out of 5]

I knew that Cortes landed on the shores of Mexico, stomped through the jungle to the heart of the Aztec empire, and then overthrew it, but I didn't know any details about it. For the most part, I assumed a lot of it was related to the technological advantages of the Spanish. Not the case. Not the case, at all.

Cortes had a whole hell of a lot of things going for him that lead to his success in Central America. He was a brilliant tactician, both militarily and politically, was clearly quite charming and manipulative (how else do you keep a bunch of blood and money thirsty professional soldiers in check) a rebel, and above all, an adventurer. Nothing about this Event (yup, capital e) in history was simple and it keeps getting more and more jaw dropping until you get to the end.

Highly recommended for people studying Spanish or Mexican history, the Age of Exploration and the Conquest of the new world.

[Ο σιδεράς · Rating 3 out of 5]

Το ισπανικό χρονικό της   καταστροφής του Μοντεζούμα,  μιας από τις πιο τραγικές φιγούρες στην ιστορία -   και της αυτοκρατορίας του, από τη σιδεροφρακτη Νέμεση τους. 

Και τι μας παραδιδει το  κείμενο του Κορτές, πέρα από τις ηρωικές σάλτσες- όμοιες κι απαράλλαχτες από τις εποχές του Ξενοφώντα και του Ιούλιου Καίσαρα; 

Μετά τις εισαγωγικές σελίδες, μια μονάχα λέξη που επαναλαμβάνεται μονότονα:
χρυσάφι, χρυσάφι, χρυσάφι, κι άλλο χρυσάφι για τη δόξα του θρόνου της Καστίλης.
Πόλεμος και πόλεμος..

Manu Chao - Lágrimas de oro (Official Audio) - YouTube https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ydtfbux...

[Graham Cammock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very insightful book. In the five letters addressed to the Emperor or the king of Spain, Cortes relates all about how he conquered the Aztecs and New Spain, about all the wars, obstacles and adventures, and about all the treachery and commotion with Diego Velasquez. If you have read The Four Voyages, by Christopher Columbus, this is a good continuation of the discovery and conquest of the New World.

[Paul H. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just impossibly fascinating -- I think I often take it for granted that we can not only read about the conquest of Mexico, but can also literally read the letters that Hernán Cortés sent to King Charles V. It really is crazy, when you think about it.

Also, these should be read alongside Diaz's 'Conquest of New Spain' for the full effect.

[Araceli.libros · Rating 5 out of 5]

No creo que sea un texto al que corresponda ponerle puntaje o rating, pero la verdad es que me encantó.

Nunca pensé que la figura de Cortés me resultaría tan fasciante. El manejo retórico y del discurso que tiene es digno de admiración. La forma en la que justifica sus acciones ante el rey, lo que calla y lo que remarca, cómo se construye él mismo en estas cartas y cómo ve a los indígenas...

Sé que solo podemos imaginar cómo habrá sido realmente este encuentro o choque de civilizaciones, y textos como estos ayudan mucho, más que nada a entender en qué basamos todo nuestro imaginario sobre el “descubrimiento” y la conquista de América, y sobre los propios aztecas cuya imagen nos llega atravesada por el prisma de los moldes mentales y del lenguaje europeo.

Estoy verdaderamente fascinada con todos estos textos coloniales que estamos leyendo en la facultad *-*

[Ned · Rating 5 out of 5]

the notes here are fantastic

[Maximiliano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Una verdadera aventura épica...

[txai · Rating 1 out of 5]

of course i'm not rating the literary quality of Cortes' letters (that'd be a 3/10), that would be the wrong way to approach a historical text like this. i'm also not rating its historical importance (which i'd say is an 8/10), because that would be too partial to the Eurocentric flow of history.
what am i rating? i'm not sure. maybe the conquest of mexico. maybe how Cortes flatters himself so much in his portrayal of himself that i had to constantly remember the events he was referring to from the perspective of the conquered, lest i feel any sympathy for the man. notable details i didn't expect before coming into this were just how appreciative and in awe of the aztec empire Cortes genuinely is (which somehow is worse than if he'd just ignorantly and brutishly destroyed it), or just how insidious religious justification is in even the worst of the spanish atrocities (you do wonder how genuinely they believed this was a holy war vs how much they were just profit-motivated).
it was hard to get through, dense to unravel from its subjective bias, and infuriating all the way.

PS. It was kinda cool to see just how many of the original place names still remain, especially near the center of the country.

[LZF · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las Cartas de Relación escritas por Hernán Cortés al emperador Carlos V de España constituyen uno de los documentos históricos de mayor valor durante la época de conquista de México.
Aunque la historia contada por Cortés parece más una justificación de sus actos y excesos, que una narración objetiva de los acontecimientos ocurridos en la época, logra plasmar en su texto y de primera mano, la riqueza, esplendor y modo de vida antiguo de los pobladores del México prehispánico. Resulta increíble tener noticia de la antigua Tenochtitlán, su magnificencia y poder, así como una descripción detallada de sus inigualables palacios, plazas y mercados.
La obra, vista como un todo, constituye un referente obligado para los amantes de la historia de México.

[Barby]

Si esto hubiera sido ficción, lo habría "disfrutado" algo. Pero como no es así, mi odio se acrecentaba con cada palabra. Eso sí, hay que admitir que este hombre fue un gran estratega. Pero aun así, sigo odiando leer cómo se destruyó una cultura tan rica.

[The Esoteric Jungle]

Speaks in his letters on how the Huns and China came to the America’s in the 400’s AD as the eminent M. De Guigne also confirmed. Of course this man was an utter, bloodthirsty, genocider and destroyer of several millenia of unknown wisdom of the Aztecs now lost forever.

[James Moffett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A detailed account of Hernan Cortes from his youthful days in Spain to his sailing to the New World and his subsequent exploits in the Caribbean and Mexico. This is a long read requiring patience, but well worth it.

[Michael Esquivel · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most important meetings of two people in the history of the entire world, in my opinion, was the meeting of Hernan Cortés and Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin, AKA, Montezuma. The best Sci-Fi movie could not write a better storyline of such a reunion.

This book contains five letters written by Cortés while in The New World, to Carlos V, AKA, Carlos I of Spain, AKA The Holy Roman Emperor, whose title meant that his role was to defend Catholicism against the rising Protestant Reformation. Carlos V was the grandson of King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella.

After reading Cortés’ detailed account of his adventures, there is no doubt, that even with horses, gun powder, musketeers, and cannons, that the Spanish conquistadors never would have succeeded in conquering Mexico if it weren’t for the other native tribes who aided them in hopes to become free of Montezuma’s reign. Many times the Spaniards were outnumbered, wounded, losing, freezing, and starving, but were saved by the military aid and food supplied to them by these hopeful natives.

In the letters, there is a long build up as Cortés and his cohort travel westward from the coastal town of Veracruz, Mexico, conquering tribe after tribe, setting their target on the capital, Tenochtitlán (today’s Mexico City). At the time of Cortés’ arrival, the population of Tenochtitlán was between one hundred thousand and two hundred thousand people, not including the surrounding areas which contained about another three hundred thousand people.

When Cortés finally arrives at the capital, many times he is unable to put into words what he sees because of its wonder. He writes, “For to give your Majesty a full account of all of the strange and marvelous things to be found in this great city of Tenochtitlán would demand much time and many and skilled writers, and I shall be able to describe but a hundredth part of all the things which are worthy of description.” Cortés and his men were in awe of the markets that sold everything: wild game, fish, animals bred specifically for eating, medicines, furniture, leather, chinaware, honey, and food and drink stands and even barber shops.

There were many temples for various gods including one main temple “whose size and magnificence no human tongue could describe, for it is so big that within the lofty wall which entirely circles it, one could set a town of fifteen thousand inhabitants.” Upon describing Montezuma’s various palaces, Cortés describes one that had a ten-pool aquarium. In another palace, there were large cages that contained every type of bird imaginable which needed a crew of three hundred men to feed and take care of them. There were also cages of lions, tigers, wolves, and foxes. Another three hundred workers were required to take care of and feed those animals as well.

Montezuma even had wine cellars, and when it came time to eat, it took between three and four hundred youths to serve meals to Montezuma, his noblemen, chiefs, and their servants, which totaled six hundred people. Before and after eating, Montezuma would wash and dry his hands. The towels he used would never be used again, as was the same with the dishes that he used.

Unsurprisingly, Montezuma and the inhabitants of Tenochtitlán did not wish to surrender to Cortés, therefore there was a seventy five-day war which saw many casualties for both sides. Tragically, this war would destroy most of Tenochtitlán including most of the wonderous things that the conquistadors witnessed and would never be seen again.

Tribes that were unwilling to serve the Spanish crown and the Catholic God were seen as savages and were made to be slaves who worked in the mines. Other tribes who were cooperative, or “able to be pacified,” were spared from slavery and were allowed to live in a new Spanish settlement.

The juxtaposition of Aztec modernity and cleanliness coupled with acts of human sacrifice and cannibalism that Cortés witnessed was shocking, but I believe that the same can be said regarding the conquistadors. While they attempted to convert the Aztecs to Catholicism, at the same time they burned their cities, enslaved their people, branded them, sold them, hung them, burned their feet and/or burned them alive.

Many things are obvious about Hernan Cortés after reading this account. His cruelty is surely downplayed since he wrote it himself and wanted to be seen in a positive light in the eyes of the king. On the other hand, I think that he deserves admiration where it is due. He was a brilliant military strategist, brave adventurer, daring explorer, and a pious servant to the king.

For a more detailed and first-hand account of the atrocities that the Aztecs suffered under the Spanish, I recommend “A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies” by Bartolomé de las Casas.

[Steve]

Hernán Cortés acted under the principle ‘tis better to ask forgiveness than permission. A less kind interpretation is that he mutinied against the governor of Cuba, Diego Velásquez whose administration formally covered Mexico, and then as rogue agent, refused attempts to cede his concocted authority, all the while begging “Your Sacred Majesty” to sanction his duplicity. These five letters were sent to the Spanish monarch, King Charles V, between 1519 and 1526 to secure Cortés’ legacy and to inspire official favor. Cortés never missed an opportunity to disparage Velásquez and those who arrived to investigate or outright deter his efforts, a surprising number of whom met untimely, convenient deaths, including one Juan Ponce de León. While this record is as long as it is tendentious, Cortés admits to much murder and pillage absent guilt in an effort to prove his unquestionable fealty.

Cortés landed on the east coast of Mexico in Veracruz and marched to the Mesyco capital, Temixtatan, now in Mexico City. The city sat on an island amidst a salt lake, with four long causeways connecting the mainland. Don’t bother to look for that lake today; it’s gone, long gone. Despite setbacks, Cortés ultimately conquers the local Indians under Mutezuma, who we know as Montezuma. Many die, including Mutezuma, who was reportedly felled by a rock to the head during a public melee while he was under Spanish custody.

Given the recurring hyperbole, it’s difficult to judge from these letters whether Indian deaths from battle actually measured in the tens of thousands or hundreds of thousands, against Spanish forces that numbered only in the hundreds. One thing’s for certain, a lot of indigenous persons perished from Spanish administration in only a few years. Atrocities weren’t limited to the Spanish, however. Even Cortés was repulsed with some local practices, notably human sacrifice and cannibalism. He implored his sovereign to right these wrongs. While Cortés writes of deaths from battle, he only mentions smallpox once. I expect, however, that smallpox may have led to a greater number of deaths than all the battles combined.

[Airácula · Rating 4 out of 5]

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Fua,
Ni R.R. Martin se atrevió a tanto.

[Marco Navarro · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitivamente al autor se le daba mucho mejor la espada que la escritura. Más que una compilación de memorias, es un conjunto de reportes administrativos con los que Hernán Cortés pretende justificar la invasión de las Américas. A pesar de ser un libro de una lectura difícil (redundante, hasta cierto punto repetitiva), es interesante conocer la "verdad" española respecto a los hechos que dieron pie a la caída de los pueblos mesoamericanos.

[Amaranta · Rating 5 out of 5]

La primera lectura que completé de este semestre fue esta carta. Leí en algunas reseñas que decían que no podían calificarla por la naturaleza del texto y que si se piensa como ficción es muy agradable de leer, pero cuando la lees sabiendo que esto fue lo que pasó hay otra sensación al acabarla.

[Jaime Fernández Garrido · Rating 4 out of 5]

Las cartas que escribió Cortés a Carlos V (y la primera de ellas también dirigida a "la reina Doña Juana") son un material imprescindible para conocer, de primera mano, qué es lo que ocurrió en la conquista de México. La puntuación que le concedo al libro no es, por tanto, por su importancia, sino porque tiene un estilo repetitivo y tedioso que se hace cansino para un lector del siglo XXI. Además, y por desgracia, a mi ejemplar le falta un pliego entero, con el final de la primera carta y el principio de la segunda, que tuve que suplir con su lectura on line.

Es de sobra conocido que Cortés partió con 10 carabelas y 400 hombres para su conquista, pero que pudo llevarla a cabo gracias a la ayuda de otros pueblos de la zona que se iban uniendo, algunos voluntariamente y otros bajo la amenaza de un duro trato, hasta alcanzar (según Cortés) los 100.000 hombres a la hora de destruir Tenochtitlán, que el autor denomina Temixtitán.

Cortés describe con precisión (casi se podría dibujar) la maravilla que supone esa ciudad de canales (una Venecia americana), de enormes templos y de viviendas muy bien construidas. Al menos cuando llega él, porque una vez que decide conquistarla la ciudad cambia por completo su perfil. La estrategia consiste en ir poco a poco, arrasando con azadas todos los canales y quemando todas las edificaciones que encuentran a su paso. El mismo Cortés calcula que más o menos destruyeron así el 80% antes de la conquista final. Luego cuenta también que volvieron a reconstruir una parte para meter allí a españoles que cohabitaron con los naturales de la tierra que estaban controlados militarmente por tropas y bergantines.

Es curioso que a pesar de sus desmanes (que incluyen, siempre según sus declaraciones, asesinatos en masa, secuestros de mujeres y niños, a veces para uso y abuso propio, y otros para venderlos como esclavos y mandárselos como ofrenda al emperador, y destrucción de pueblos por completo) Cortés se considera diplomático y magnánimo y critica lo que han hecho los españoles en las islas, que no ha sido más que "esquilmarlas y destruirlas".

Cortés cuenta también los roces, que llevan a auténticas escabechinas, con otros españoles, especialmente con Diego Velázquez, a quien odia a muerte y a quien intenta, por todos los medios, enemistar con Carlos V. Un rey, por cierto, a quien nunca le interesó la evangelización en América y a quien Cortés reclama sacerdotes porque "hay muy pocos, o cuasi ninguno".

Entre las grandes epopeyas del libro, que daría para una película, está cómo construyen una serie de bergantines y los transportan desmontados cruzando la selva para luego montarlos y calafatearlos para usarlos en su conquista, que así, y no de otra manera, es como llama Cortés a lo que está realizando en México.

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

At least Cortes saw beauty in what the natives were doing. Unlike another colonizer... ahem... Columbus

[Jean Cantorné · Rating 4 out of 5]

Le personnage de Cortes est bien plus complexe qu’on ne le pense. Le plus grand conquistador de la Nouvelle Espagne sous un angle épistolaire, à lire.. et à relire…

[Yann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hernan Cortes est le conquistador qui a assujetti le Mexique à la couronne d'Espagne. Arrivé avec une poignée d'homme sur le continent, forcé d'aller toujours plus avant, pressé par les inimitiés de certains compatriotes restés à Cuba, il parvient à bousculer l'empire Aztèque, appuyé par leurs anciens vassaux lesquels étaient lassés de porter le joug d'une théocratie cruelle. Le comportement velléitaire de Moctezuma, les prophéties annonçant le retour des dieux, l'avance technologique, tout conspire à enhardir les espagnols avides de gloire et de richesses, et à accomplir les plus grandes prouesses militaires. Incapable de supporter la défaite, trahis par les peuples anciennement vaincus, les Mexicains préfèrent la mort et par une guerre à outrance, précipitent la chute de Tenochtitlan. Ce livre contient cinq relations écrites par Cortés à l'attention du roi, afin de mettre en lumière ses mérites, et de combattre les calomnies dont les jaloux qui entourent le monarque l'accablent. Comme La Guerre des Gaules, c'est un document exceptionnel. On trouvera peut être plus de vérité chez Bernardo Del Castillo, un de ses compagnons de guerre qui a aussi relaté leur périple

[Paola López · Rating 2 out of 5]

It took me longer to read this book than the actual conquest.
Not an easy or enjoyable read for sure, felt like a chore, but I had to finish it.

I had the expectation that it would help to get to know more about who the man, Cortes, was and his impressions about all the interesting and "exotic" things in the "New World" . There is a tiny bit of that in the first letter but, in general, this book is not that, it's just an administrative report of the conquest from Cortes' point of view, told in the most dull way.

It also didn't help that the formatting of my copy had tiny font and no spaces between paragraphs, so, it was also not easy on the eyes.

[floreana]

yo no puedo creer que la gente pueda puntuar este libro. de verdad. si no fuese porque tuve que leerlo para una clase, no hubiese podido pasar de la primera página. es un horror. y lo peor es que no es ficción, que creo que es algo que mucha gente, al leerlo, se olvida. cortés llego a méxico y destruyó, quemó, aniquiló, asesinó, violó, y la lista sigue sin terminar. leí estas cartas atragantada, la angustia era demasiada. no quiero volver a tocar esto nunca más en mi vida, gracias.

[David Cooper · Rating 4 out of 5]

We are lucky to have these letters to read today. Cortes writes plainly, but you have to realize it is from his point of view. The appendices are helpful to give you a more rounded view. The letter describing the main fighting is something to read.

[Leonardo A. González · Rating 4 out of 5]

No hay mejor forma de conocer la historia que del puño y letra de sus protagonistas. Leer las cartas de Cortés nos muestra a un personaje muy distinto al que la historia tradicional nos cuenta.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conquest of the Aztec empire (and many lesser empires) in his own words.

There’s a lot written and told about the man Hernan Cortes- his motives and actions- but I believe that anyone who holds an opinion about him or the conquest of the Americas by Spain really ought to read this work.
He presents himself to the King of Spain in this collection of letters to give an official account of his deeds and motives.
He saw a land terrorized and dominated by an oppressive king- Monteczuma.
Hundreds of thousands of locals either flocked to serve him or were quickly pacified and joined him in his March towards the capital of the Aztec empire.
In his wake he promised locals that he would do three things:
1. Teach them to respect each others property.
2. End the practice of cannibalism. This was insanely rampant: it was required for religious ceremonies and even the king regularly ate humans. The Aztec empire thought it had to regularly sacrifice human lives to their gods to maintain their success so they demanded “tribute” from all kingdoms under their domain. Apparently, cooked human flesh could be found in local markets on the daily.
3. To teach the people about the True God, the creator of all things, who sent His son to die that the people who believe in Him might live.

Unfortunately, Cortes’ countrymen didn’t always or even usually come with the same motives. He was undercut and schemed against constantly, if you work with people who are always scheming against you, this book will help you to bear it because my goodness did Cortes get into some sticky situations due to his jealous countrymen.

The second letter is by far the best, as Cortes and his men enter Tenochtitlan and describe the wondrous city, the culture of the people and their dealings with the King and priests. Writers of fiction can’t outdo the reality of this work and the sense of wonder it instills as we watch two vastly different cultures meet for the first time, forever changing the fate of two continents.
This book is long, and it’s certainly formal- Cortes is writing the King after all- but it is necessary reading if one wants a more comprehensive look at why and how Latin Americans are in the state they are in today.

This work is rife with life lessons and hard truths, it’s an education unto itself.

[Etienne OMNES · Rating 3 out of 5]

Je l'ai lu il y a longtemps, mais j'avais beaucoup aimé le fait de lire un témoignage direct de l'incroyable chute des aztèques. Hernan Cortès est un homme dont je n'ai pas une très haute opinion: basiquement c'est un homme hautement arrogant, qui fuit la Havane pour échapper à ses créanciers et sans grand plan ni grands moyens, se retrouve presque accidentellement à faire écrouler un empire de plusieurs millions d'hommes. Et tout cela avec une centaine de fantassins, 15 arquebuses et 10 chevaux. Même en enlevant les exagérations et choses passées sous silences, on est impressionnés par l'épopée, et on ne peut être que d'accord quand Cortès dit: "Le Seigneur nous accorda la victoire".

Par contre, je préviens: le style est ampoulé et un peu du genre: "Si votre Majesté pouvait un seul petit de ses glorieux instants considérer la peine que se donne le plus humble de vos humbles serviteurs qui à l'autre bout du monde travaille pour votre gloire seule sans s'enrichir lui-même. Veuillez ne pas écouter les vils lâches qui me critiquent à la cour mais ne vous enrichissent en rien. J'ai tout fait pour votre nom, sans rien gagner en retour, si bien que je suis un peu quelque peu -comment dire?- à sec. Pourriez vous payer cette expédition que vous n'avez pas demandé, que vous n'avez pas souhaité, mais bon..."

Maintenant, je souhaite lire Bernardo Diaz del Castillo, un membre de son expédition qui a publié dans sa vieillesse sa propre histoire de l'expédition, et qui -paraît-il - est beaucoup plus honnête.

[David Jacobson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This fascinating document takes us back to the very earliest days of the colonization of North America. In the midst of conquering Mexico City, killing the Aztec leader Montezuma, and stoking civil war between the native people, Hernan Cortez was firing off hyper-detailed, self-serving letters to the Spanish king and Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. The writing—or, at least, the English translation—is highly readable, making it sound at times almost as if a 21st-Century reporter had accompanied the conquistadores. Modern too is the subtext of the letters: Cortez spills more ink complaining about slow reimbursement for his expenses and about being thwarted by the governor of Cuba than he does describing people and geography that were wholly new to European eyes. Only by carefully reading the two introductions to this edition can one fully grasp the political work Cortez is hoping the letters will accomplish.

The five letters themselves span a period from 1519 to 1525. The first three deal with the establishment of the colony at Veracruz, the capture and loss of Tenochtitlan, and its subsequent recapture. The fifth deals with the harrowing journey to Honduras. The fourth, which is less interesting as a standalone narrative, deals with the period when Cortez consolidated his control of Mexico (or "New Spain") as governor.