Bonfires of Culture: Franciscans, Indigenous Leaders, and the Inquisition in Early Mexico, 1524-1540

278 Pages·2010·5.393 MB·English

by  Patricia Lopes Don

Bonfires of Culture
Franciscans, Indigenous Leaders,
and the Inquisition in Early Mexico, 1524–1540
Patricia Lopes Don
Bonfires of Culture
“Franciscan friars burning traditional books and clothes,” from Historia de Tlax-
cala by Diego Muñoz Camargo. MS Hunter 242, Glasgow University Library.
Courtesy of Bridgeman Art Library International.
Bonfires of Culture
Franciscans, Indigenous Leaders,
and the Inquisition in Early Mexico,
1524–1540
Patricia Lopes Don
University of Oklahoma Press : Norman
This book is published with the generous assistance of
The McCasland Foundation, Duncan, Oklahoma.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Don, Patricia Lopes, 1952–
Bonfires of culture : Franciscans, indigenous leaders, and the Inquisition in
early Mexico, 1524-1540 / Patricia Lopes Don.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-8061-4049-0 (hardcover : alk. paper)
1. Mexico—History—Conquest, 1519-1540. 2. Franciscans—Mexico—
History—16th century. 3. Indians, Treatment of—Mexico—History—16th
century. 4. Inquisition—Mexico—History—16th century. I. Title.
F1230.D68 2010
972'.02—dc22
2009024345
The paper in this book meets the guidelines for permanence and durability of
the Committee on Production Guidelines for Book Longevity of the Council
on Library Resources, Inc. ∞
Copyright © 2010 by the University of Oklahoma Press, Norman, Publishing
Division of the University. Manufactured in the U.S.A.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a
retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic,
mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—except as permitted
under Section 107 or 108 of the United States Copyright Act—without the
prior written permission of the University of Oklahoma Press.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
To my husband, Allen

Contents
List of Illustrations ix
Preface xi
Introduction 3
1. The Early Colonial Leadership Dilemma 20
2. The Nahualli: The Trial of Martín Ocelotl 52
3. The Millenarian: The Trial of Andrés Mixcoatl 83
4. The Keepers of the Huitzilopochtlis: The Trial of Miguel
Pochtecatl Tlaylotla 111
5. The Tlahtoani: The Trial of Don Carlos of Texcoco 146
Epilogue: The Legacy of the Inquisition in Central Mexico 175
Appendix: Boban Calendar Wheel 193
Notes 203
Glossary 235
Bibliography 239
Index 253
vii

Illustrations
FIGURES
“Franciscan friars burning traditional books and clothes,”
from Historia de Tlaxcala Frontispiece
1. Native painting describing the dispersion of
the Huitzilopochtlis 114
2. Selective genealogy of the Texcocan royal family 150
3. Humboldt Fragment VI 187
4. Boban Calendar Wheel 195
MAPS
1. Spain in Zumárraga’s Time 25
2. Southeast Valley of Mexico and the Puebla Area 55
3. Northeast Valley of Mexico and the Northern Sierra
de Puebla 85
4. Mexico, Texcoco, and Surrounding Area 124
ix