The History of the Conquest of Mexico and New Spain by Diaz del Castillo (PDF )

Memories of the Conquistador Bernal Diaz del Castillo written by himself containing a true and full account of the discovery and conquest of Mexico and New Spain

by Díaz del Castillo, Bernal, 1496-1584; Lockhart, John Ingram

The History of the Conquest of New Spain is a subject in which great interest is felt at the present day, and the English public will hail these memoirs, which contain the only true and complete account of that important transaction. The author of this original and charming production, to which he justly gives the title of e The True History of the Conquest of New Spain/ was himself one of the Conquistadores ; one who not only witnessed the transactions which he relates, but who also performed a glorious part in them ; a soldier who, for impartiality and veracity, perhaps never had his equal. His account is acknowledged to be the only one on which we can place reliance, and it has been the magazine from which the most eloquent of the Spanish writers on the same subject, as well as those of other countries, have borrowed their best materials. 

Some historians have even transcribed whole pages, but have not had sufficient honesty to acknowledge it. The author, while living, was never rewarded for the great services he had rendered his country, and it is remarkable that, after his death, his very memoirs were pillaged by court historians, to raise a literary monument to themselves. Most of the other writers on the conquest, particularly the Spanish, have filled their works with exaggerations, to create astonishment and false interest ; pages are filled with so termed philosophical remarks, which but ill supply the place of the intelligent reader's own reflections. Bernal Diaz differs widely from those writers, for he only states what he knows to be true. The British public, fond above all others of original productions,

Some contents from the book 

Departure from Castile — Díaz begins with his personal journey, grounding the memoir in lived experience rather than official chronicles.  

2. Discovery of Yucatán & battle with natives — the first encounters with Maya peoples, showing the violence and shock of cultural contact.  

3–4. Coast of Campeachy & Potonchan attack — vivid descriptions of landing sites, maize fields, and the resistance of indigenous warriors.  

5–6. Return to Cuba & Florida expedition — hardships of thirst, fatigue, and hostile encounters, emphasizing the human cost of exploration.  

7–11. Trinidad, Champoton, Terminos Bay, Tabasco River — a sequence of landings and skirmishes, each revealing geography and native resistance.  

12–14. Aguajaluco, Bandera stream, San Juan de Ulua — gradual penetration deeper into New Spain, with glimpses of wealth (pesos gained) and strategic harbors.  

15–17. Velasquez’s interventions — political intrigue from Cuba, showing how colonial power struggles shaped the expedition.  

18. Critique of Gomara’s errors — Díaz asserts his authority as an eyewitness, correcting official historians.  

19. Rise of Hernán Cortés — the turning point: Cortés takes command, despite secret cabals against him, setting the stage for the conquest of Mexico.  

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