The Encomenderos of New Spain, 1521-1555 - Softcover

Himmerich Y Valencia, Robert

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0292731086 ISBN 13: 9780292731080

Publisher: University of Texas Press, 1996

Synopsis

While the Spanish conquistadors have been stereotyped as rapacious treasure seekers, many firstcomers to the New World realized that its greatest wealth lay in the native populations whose labor could be harnessed to build a new Spain. Hence, the early arrivals in Mexico sought encomiendas—"a grant of the Indians of a prescribed indigenous polity, who were to provide the grantee (the encomendero) tribute in the form of commoditiesand service in return for protection and religious instruction."

This study profiles the 506 known encomenderos in New Spain (present-day Mexico) during the years 1521-1555, using their life histories to chart the rise, florescence, and decline of the encomienda system. The first part draws general conclusions about the actual workings of the encomienda system. The second part provides concise biographies of the encomenderos themselves.

About this title

From the Back Cover:

This study profiles the 506 known 'encomenderos' in New Spain (present-day Mexico) during the years 1521-1555, using their life histories to chart the rise, florescence, and decline of the 'encomienda' system.

About the Author:

Robert Himmerich y Valencia is Associate Professor of History at the University of New Mexico, where he also serves as Editor of the New Mexico Historical Review.

About this edition

• Publisher: University of Texas Press
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0292731086
• ISBN 13: 9780292731080
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 364