Bernal Díaz del Castillo's Observations on Malinche and Montecuzuma

Born c. 1495, left Spain in 1514 seeking opportunities in the New World.
Accompanied Hernando Cortes during the conquest of Mexico (1519-1521).
Authored "The True History of the Conquest of New Spain" (1568) to provide an accurate account from a soldier's perspective.
Became the Spanish governor of Guatemala.

Originally from a ruling family in Painala; given away as a child to secure inheritance for her half-brother.
Presented to Cortes by the inhabitants of Tabasco.
Fluent in Guacasualco (Mexican) and Tabasco languages, making her a crucial interpreter through Aguilar (who spoke Tabasco and Spanish).
Considered a "valuable instrument" for the Spanish conquest, essential for understanding Mexican language and overcoming difficulties.
Converted to Christianity; bore a son to Cortes, and later married Juan Xaramillo.
Forgave her family for her past abandonment, believing it was divinely guided for her conversion.
Held significant influence in New Spain, able to direct the Indians as she pleased.
Díaz del Castillo asserts his account of her life is true, contrasting it with Gomara's.

Montecuzuma's Person: Around forty years old, tall, slender, clean, bathed nightly. Wore clothes once every four days.
Court Protocol: Guarded by 2000 men of quality. Visitors, including high-ranking individuals, had to humble themselves by changing clothes, walking barefoot, casting eyes down, and performing three prostrations. No one could look him directly in the face.
Dining Habits: Over 300 distinct dishes prepared for him, and over 1000 for his attendants, kept warm over fire. Drank cacao liquor. Ate behind a gilt wooden screen. Four high-ranking elderly men (relations, counselors, chief justices) ate with him, standing in deep veneration.
Dietary Practices: Díaz del Castillo mentions claims of young children's flesh being served as a relish, though he couldn't confirm; Montecuzuma stopped human sacrifices and the eating of human flesh after Cortes's reproach.
After-Dinner Ritual: Smoked tobacco from gilt tubes (infused with liquid amber and tabaco herb) before falling asleep.
Aztec Administration: A chief steward (Tapia) managed Montecuzuma's revenue, meticulously recorded in numerous large "Amatl" paper books. The society was observed to operate with "perfect order."