Many of Mexico’s Spanish clergy object to…
July 1541 CE
Many of Mexico’s Spanish clergy object to the encomiendas.
One Spanish missionary in particular, former encomendero Bartolomé de Las Casas, argues for their suppression.
When the natives of Jalisco rebel against Spanish control and abuses of the “encomienda” system, the Spanish crown opposes the “encomiendas” of New Spain both because they foster abuse of the natives and because they seem a reversion of feudal practices that challenge the central power of the monarchy.
Meanwhile, Guatemala’s deposed governor, Pedro de Alvarado, is planning an expedition to the South Sea islands.
Stopping in Mexico before sailing, he is tempted into joining the Spanish quest for the legendary Seven Golden Cities of Cibola in northern Mexico.
En route, the fifty-six-year-old conquistador takes part in the conflict that will later be known as the Mixton War, which had begun in the spring of 1540 as fierce rebellion by the native population against the Spanish and their native allies from the south.
Alvarado is killed on July 4 in a fall from his horse.
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