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

In their efforts to convert indigenous peoples, Franciscan friars brought the Spanish Inquisition to early-sixteenth-century Mexico. Patricia Lopes Don now investigates these trials to offer an inside look at this brief but consequential episode of Spanish methods of colonization, providing a fresh interpretation of an early period that has remained too long understudied.Drawing on previously underutilized records of Inquisition proceedings, Don examines four of the most important trials of native leaders to uncover the Franciscans’ motivations for using the Inquisition and the indigenous response to it. She focuses on the consecutive impact of four trials—against nahualli Martín Ocelotl, an influential native priest; Andrés Mixcoatl, an advocate of open resistance to the Franciscans; Miguel Pochtecatl Tlaylotla, a guardian of native religious artifacts; and Don Carlos of Texcoco, a native chief burned at the stake for heresy. Don reveals the heart of Bishop Zumárraga’s methods of conducting the trials—including spectacular bonfires in which any native idols found in the possession of professed converts were destroyed. Don’s knowledge of the contemporary Spain that shaped the friars’ perspectives enables her to offer new understanding of the evolution of Franciscan attitudes toward evangelization. Bonfires of Culture reexamines important primary documents and offers a new perspective on a pivotal historical era. "In their efforts to convert indigenous peoples, Franciscan friars brought the Spanish Inquisition to early-sixteenth-century Mexico. Patricia Lopes Don now investigates these trials to offer an inside look at this brief but consequential episode of Spanish methods of colonization, providing a fresh interpretation of an early period that has remained too long understudied." "Drawing on previously underutilized records of Inquisition proceedings, Don examines four of the most important trials of native leaders to uncover the Franciscans' motivations for using the Inquisition and the indigenous response to it. She focuses on the consecutive impact of the four trials - against nahualli Martin Ocelotl, an influential native priest; Andres Mixcoatl, an advocate of open resistance to the Franciscans; Miguel Pochtecatl Tlaylotla, a guardian of native religious artifacts; and Don Carlos of Texcoco, a native chief burned at the stake for heresy. Don reveals the heart of Bishop Zumarraga's methods of conducting the trials - including spectacular bonfires in which any native idols found in the possession of professed converts were destroyed. Her knowledge of the contemporary Spain that shaped the friars' perspectives enables Don to offer new understanding of the evolution of Franciscan attitudes toward evangelization." "Through close reading of the trial transcripts, Don explores the learning process the first generation of colonial native leaders underwent as they negotiated religious matters with the Franciscans. As the advantage of accommodating the friars became clear, indigenous peoples caught up in these trials began to modify their older beliefs and practices in strategic ways. Bonfires of Culture reexamines important primary documents and offers a new perspective on a pivotal historical era."--Jacket In their efforts to convert indigenous peoples, Franciscan friars brought the Spanish Inquisition to early-sixteenth-century Mexico. Patricia Lopes Don now investigates these trials to offer an inside look at this brief but consequential episode of Spanish methods of colonization, providing a fresh interpretation of an early period that has remained too long understudied. Drawing on previously underutilized records of Inquisition proceedings, Don examines four of the most important trials of native leaders to uncover the Franciscans motivations for using the Inquisition and the indigenous response to it. She focuses on the consecutive impact of four trialsagainst nahualli Martn Ocelotl, an influential native priest; Andrs Mixcoatl, an advocate of open resistance to the Franciscans; Miguel Pochtecatl Tlaylotla, a guardian of native religious artifacts; and Don Carlos of Texcoco, a native chief burned at the stake for heresy. Don reveals the heart of Bishop Zumrragas methods of conducting the trialsincluding spectacular bonfires in which any native idols found in the possession of professed converts were destroyed. Dons knowledge of the contemporary Spain that shaped the friars perspectives enables her to offer new understanding of the evolution of Franciscan attitudes toward evangelization. Bonfires of Culture reexamines important primary documents and offers a new perspective on a pivotal historical era. Dedication Contents List of Illustrations Preface Introduction 1. The Early Colonial Leadership Dilemma 2. The Nahualli: The Trial of Martín Ocelotl 3. The Millenarian: The Trial of Andrés Mixcoatl 4. The Keepers of the Huitzilopochtlis: The Trial of Miguel Pochtecatl Tlaylotla 5. The Tlahtoani: The Trial of Don Carlos of Texcoco Epilogue: The Legacy of the Inquisition in Central Mexico Appendix: Boban Calendar Wheel Notes Glossary Bibliography Index The early colonial leadership dilemma The Nahualli: the trial of Martin Ocelotl The millenarian: the trial of Andres Mixcoatl The keepers of the Huitzilopochtlis: the trial of Miguel Pochtecatl Tlaylotla The Tlahtoani: the trial of Don Carlos of Texcoco Epilogue: the legacy of the Inquisition in central Mexico Appendix: Boban Calendar Wheel.