Bernal Díaz del Castillo

Bernal Díaz del Castillo, born in 1492, was a notable Spanish conquistador and chronicler who played a significant role in the conquest of the Aztec Empire under Hernán Cortés. Before joining Cortés, he had already gained experience as a soldier of fortune, participating in expeditions to Tierra Firme, Cuba, and Yucatán. His military career laid the foundation for his later endeavors as a historian and writer.

In his later years, Díaz del Castillo served as an encomendero and governor in Guatemala, where he penned his memoirs titled The True History of the Conquest of New Spain. He began writing this account nearly thirty years after the events unfolded, revising and expanding it in response to Hernán Cortés' letters to the king, which he felt unjustly credited Cortés while downplaying the contributions of other Spaniards and their Indigenous allies, particularly the Tlaxcaltecs.

Díaz del Castillo was critical of the historical narratives presented by Cortés' chaplain, Francisco López de Gómara, and the monk Bernardino de Sahagún. He believed these accounts either excessively glorified Cortés or were overly sympathetic to the Indigenous peoples, particularly the Aztecs. His own memoirs, while containing inaccuracies and biases, are considered one of the few first-hand accounts of the Spanish conquest, providing valuable insights into the motivations and intentions of the Spaniards.

Despite his significant contributions, Díaz del Castillo felt discontented with the lack of wealth he had anticipated and believed the Spanish government had failed to recognize his efforts. He summarized the intentions of the Spaniards in Mexico succinctly: 'We came to serve God and to get rich, as all men wish to do.' He passed away in Guatemala at the age of ninety-two, leaving behind a legacy that continues to be studied and debated by historians.