Bernal Díaz del Castillo facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bernal Díaz del Castillo
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A 1904 depiction of Díaz
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| Born | c. 1492 |
| Died | 3 February 1584 (aged c. 92) |
| Nationality | Spanish |
| Occupation | Conquistador |
| Known for | Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire |
Bernal Díaz del Castillo (born around 1492 – died 3 February 1584) was a Spanish soldier and writer. He was a conquistador, which means he was a Spanish explorer and soldier who helped conquer new lands for Spain. Bernal Díaz took part in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire alongside Hernán Cortés. Many years later, he wrote a famous book about his experiences called The True History of the Conquest of New Spain.
He was an experienced soldier who had traveled to many places like Cuba and Yucatán before joining Cortés. Later in his life, he became a governor in Guatemala. He wrote his book because he felt that other accounts of the conquest, especially one by Cortés's chaplain, were not accurate. He wanted to make sure that the efforts and sacrifices of all the soldiers were remembered.
Contents
Early Life and First Adventures
Bernal Díaz was born in 1492 in Medina del Campo, a busy city in Spain. His father was a regidor, which was like a city council member, so his family was well-known. Bernal went to school and learned to read and write. He was also good at learning languages. He learned to speak the Taíno language in Cuba, Nahuatl in Mexico, and the Cakchiquel language of the native people in Guatemala.
In 1514, when he was about 18, Bernal Díaz left home to go to the New World. He joined a large group of 1,500 people on 19 ships, hoping to find his fortune. But when they arrived in a place called Darien (in what is now Colombia), many people got sick and died. More than half of the settlers did not survive. This made many people lose hope. Some went back to Spain, while others sailed to other islands like Cuba.
Exploring New Lands
In 1516, Díaz went to Cuba with about 100 other soldiers. They were looking for gold and native workers, but there wasn't much to be found. So, in 1517, Díaz joined a new trip to "discover new lands." About 110 soldiers and settlers chose Francisco Hernández de Córdoba to lead them.
After sailing for 21 days, they reached the Yucatán Peninsula in March 1517. They met native people who invited them to their village. But it was an ambush! The Spanish fought back and managed to escape, though many were wounded. They captured two native people who later helped them as translators. The Spanish then sailed to Florida to find fresh water. There, they were attacked again while digging a well. They had to retreat without getting water. They returned to Cuba, all of them badly hurt. Their captain, Francisco Hernández de Córdoba, died soon after.
Even after this difficult trip, Díaz returned to Yucatán in April 1518 with a new group led by Juan de Grijalva. They explored more of the land. When he returned to Cuba, he joined yet another expedition, this time led by Hernán Cortés. This would be his most important journey.
Joining Cortés and the Conquest of Mexico
In this third expedition, Bernal Díaz played a part in the battles against the Mexica people, who were also known as the Aztec Empire. During these campaigns, Díaz often talked with his fellow soldiers about their experiences. These stories, and especially his own memories, became the basis for his famous book, Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España (The True History of the Conquest of New Spain).
In his book, Díaz describes many of the 119 battles he says he fought in. These battles led to the defeat of the Aztecs in 1521. He also wrote about the different native peoples living in the land the Spanish called New Spain. Bernal Díaz described the amazing achievements of the Aztecs, including their grand palaces, busy marketplaces, and beautiful gardens. He also wrote about some of the Aztec customs that the Spanish found very different and sometimes shocking. His book, along with Cortés's own writings, gives us a firsthand look at the important culture of Mesoamerica during that time.
Writing His Famous Book
As a reward for his service, Díaz was given land and native workers by Cortés in 1522. In 1541, he settled in Guatemala. Later, in 1551, he was made regidor (governor) of Santiago de los Caballeros de Guatemala, which is now Antigua Guatemala.
He finished his book, Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España, in 1568. This was almost 50 years after the events he described! He started writing it around the time he became governor. He wrote to the king of Spain, Charles V, to tell him about his services and ask for rewards. This was a common thing for conquerors to do.
Bernal Díaz's book was a response to other accounts of the conquest, especially the official story of Hernán Cortés written by Francisco López de Gómara. Díaz felt that Gómara's book didn't give enough credit to the soldiers who actually fought. The title Historia verdadera (True History) shows that he wanted to tell the real story from the point of view of someone who was there. He also wanted to show that the conquest was fair and just.
Even though Bernal Díaz didn't have a lot of formal education, and he wrote the book to highlight his own importance, The True History is a unique and powerful book. It helps us understand the amazing and often sad time when one great empire ended and another began.
Later Life and Legacy
Bernal Díaz died in January 1584. His son, Francisco, told the local council in Guatemala that his father had passed away on January 3.
His original manuscript was sent to Spain and was finally published in 1632, many years after his death. The book was edited by two friars, Alonso de Remón and Gabriel Adarzo y Santander. This first published edition included a chapter that some people believe was not written by Bernal Díaz himself. Later editions often left this chapter out.
Today, The True History of the Conquest of New Spain is still a very important source for understanding the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. It gives us a rare look into the minds and experiences of the soldiers who were there.
See also
In Spanish: Bernal Díaz del Castillo para niños
