"Combat in New Spain - A first hand account" Topic

As some folks know I'm writing a set of rules for the Conquest of Mexico.

I thought it worth taking an extract from Bernal Diaz on the first fight against the Maya and seeing what it could tell us. There are some pics (of Mexica not Maya) and a bit of analysis over at my blog.

If you are interested in the Conquest do take a look. Here's the link. withob.blogspot.co.uk

We learn, as you can see, that the Maya were organised in squadrons…..

I wouldn't place too much importance on the use of the word "squadron". The Spanish term escuadron means cavalry unit. What do you expect from writers who use the term "Moor" to describe the Aztecs? The Aztecs also are described as moving in "squadrons" by various authors.

I also wouldn't pay too much attention to Bernal's use of the word "arrow". I don't think any of the Conquistadors discriminated between an archer's arrow and an atlatl's bolt. The Maya, as with the Aztecs, made use of both weapons as they both were influenced by the Toltecs.

I would guess that missile weaponry was somewhat similar throughout the more civilized belligerents of Meso-America. I'll go out on a limb and say that the Atlatl was the preferred weapon of higher ranking warriors, while the bow was relegated to lower caste warriors. Commoners would be stuck with slings. Unfortunately, our understanding of Mayan warfare is even worse than that of their northern colleagues.

Nice blog, and I love a good looking Mayan army. I'm in the (slow) process of painting up a good sized 28mm Mayan army from Outpost Wargames Services. They'll be playable sometime in 2017.

Oh ya, I'd love to see your rules.

Thanks for the detailed reply Bowman.

My take on our sources is as follows. Bernal prided himself above all on being a soldier. His previous experience of Indian warfare was Cuba which was so one sided it barely warrants the label. The Maya made a big impact on him and it was a taste of things to come.

In the passage quoted he describes the Maya in squadrons and later battalions. We can debate precisely why he used those words but it probably won't take us very far. What seems clear to me is that Bernal saw the Maya as formed bodies of men under command. That would hold true of later encounters with Tlaxcala and Mexico too.

I think where Bernal says arrow he mostly means just that as he also mentions darts (Atl atl) and stones. Sometimes arrow might be a shorthand for missiles but it is not a stylistic convention he used throughout.

Yeah I've gone as per Hassig with the Atl atl as the high status warriors missile weapon.

You're going to have to remind me of the Moor thing because I cannot bring it to mind.

Thanks for your interest in the rules and the short answer is yes I can send you a copy. I should say that they are Piquet style – card driven and I've made the cards.

So far I'm working off a quick reference 3 sider and I've come up with some suggested army lists. Its a work in progress but once I'm happy with it I would be delighted if folks gave it a try.

Your project is most impressive. I don't have any figures for this period and am not likely to convince my mates to try it. But I'd be glad to offer proof reading.

A very nice collection.

vtsao that would be much appreciated and thank you for the kind words too.

Cheers 79thPA glad you like them.

In the 16th Century the Spanish used "escaudron" for units of infantry as well link

Thanks Daniel that's helpful.