Fernando de Alva Cortés (1568-1648), also known as Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxóchitl, was a historian of New Spain, today Mexico. His importance lay in his development of writings on the aborigines of his land, a task that was entrusted to him by the Spanish authorities..
The best known work of Alva Cortés was Chichimeca history, which was related to the process of conquest of the Mexican territory by Spain. Now, there is no knowledge of the title that the author gave it, and with which it is known until today it was given by the writer Carlos Sigüenza.
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The data on the birth of Fernando are not precise, although some scholars pointed out that it was in 1568 in the town of Texcoco, Mexico City. His parents were Juan de Navas Pérez de Peraleda and Ana Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl. He was related to both Spaniards and Indians.
Fernando de Alva belonged to the Acolhua dynasty, therefore, he was a great-grandson of the last ruler or tlatoani of Texcoco. In addition, the blood of Cuitláhuac ran through his veins, who had a decisive role in the Sad Night of 1520 in which the Spanish were evicted by the Mexica or Aztecs.
Alva Ixtlilxóchitl's academic training took place in his native land. In addition, coming from a distinguished family, his education was of quality. He studied at the Colegio de la Santa Cruz de Tlatelolco, where he excelled in all subjects. There he learned the Nahuatl language.
From an early age Fernando de Alva became interested in learning more about the history and culture of the indigenous people. So he expanded his knowledge through the conversations he had with the wise elders of the tribes or lordships. He also studied the drawings and paintings of the natives.
Data on the life of the New Spain historian are scarce. However, it is known that between 1600 and 1604 he went to live in the town of San Juan Teotihuacán. Researchers have indicated that he served as governor of both Texcoco and Tlalmanalco between 1612 and 1613.
Due to his historical knowledge and kinship with the indigenous people, the Spanish monarchy that reigned in Mexico assigned Fernando de Alva to carry out the records on the native inhabitants. So at the beginning of the seventeenth century and for eight years the historian dedicated himself to researching and writing on the subject.
The work that Alva carried out throughout his life was of great importance for the knowledge about the conquest of Mexico, and the veracity and quality of his writings was remarkable.
However, his death does not escape the little information that is available about his life itself. It is only known that he left the world in 1648 in the same city where he was born..
The works written by Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxóchitl were not many. However, as has been expressed in previous lines, these were of great relevance to the history of Mexico. Of his writings the following were the best known:
- Historical relationship of the Tultec nation (1600-1608). Also known as the Relationship.
- Chichimeca history or General history of New Spain (1610-1640).
This work was the first written by Alva after the order of the Spanish authorities in Mexico, who wanted to document the history of the Indians. The historian spent eight years developing this text, incorporating manuscripts and verses from the literature of the Nahua..
In the play different events were narrated about the conquest of Mexico, formerly known as New Spain. Fernando de Alva also documented himself to write very especially about the Toltecs, and opened a space to expose the historical participation of Hernando Ixtlilxóchitl in the history of the area..
In this text the author improved what he had written in his first work and added the arrival of Christopher Columbus to America, as well as the participation of Hernán Cortés in the Spanish colonization. There are scholars who affirmed that the chronological organization of the work made it difficult to understand.
As in his first work, the historian relied on the testimonies of the wise natives, which gave him impartiality and truth, thus becoming the best known of his texts. Although it has been argued that a good part was lost because there are no testimonies of relevant facts of the conquest.
In relation to the two titles by which this work by Alva Ixtlilxóchitl is known, neither was given by him. The one of Chichimeca history It was awarded to it by the New Spanish writer Carlos Sigüenza when it was in his hands, and the historian Lorenzo Boturini called it General history of New Spain.
"Which deals with what year and time the most courageous infant Ixtlilxóchitl was born, and the things he did in his childhood and childhood." Chapter 69.
"... Ixtlilxóchitl was growing up with such vividness and sharpness, that he showed well what he had come to be ... being of the age of three years a little more, he killed the mistress who was breastfeeding him ... he asked to give him water to drink that he had of being pulled out of a well, and while she got down to draw the water with a rope, she pushed it ... ".
"Which deals with how Cortés began the conquest of this New Spain until he reached Potonchan." Chapter 78.
"Before Cortés left the island of Guaniganiga, he made a long and discreet talk to his people ... if with the courage and jealousy of Christians they went to the conquest, more to convert souls ...".
“He landed in Yucatán… they saw a canoe arrive in which four naked men came with their bows and arrows… one of the four stepped up close by, and began to speak in Spanish and said: 'Gentlemen, are you Christians?' that our people marveled and answered: 'yes, we are and Spanish' ... ".
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