Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 3, 2026

Montejo expedition

The Montejo expedition was a Spanish military and martime expedition to the Maya Lowlands in 1527–1528, during the conquest of Yucatan, led by Francisco de Montejo, who was named adelantado and thereby authorised to conquer the Postclassic Maya polities there for New Spain. The campaign had mixed results: Montejo was well-received and aided in Ekab, but was ill-received and resisted by Chikinchel and Chetumal, the former via battle and the latter via deception. The Spanish won their engagements against the former polity but failed to subdue the latter.

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Montejo expedition
Modern mural depicting La Conquista
SponsorFrancisco de Montejo
CountryNew Spain
LeaderFrancisco de Montejo
StartSeville
late June 1527 (1527)
EndVeracruz
by September 1528 (1528)
Goalto conquer and settle the Maya Lowland polities in Yucatan and Cozumel
ShipsSan Jerónimo, Nicolasa, La Gavarra, unnamed fourth ship
Crewover 250 men
FatalitiesUnknown
AchievementsWon two battles against Chikinchel

The Montejo expedition was a Spanish military and martime expedition to the Maya Lowlands in 1527–1528, during the conquest of Yucatan, led by Francisco de Montejo, who was named adelantado and thereby authorised to conquer the Postclassic Maya polities there for New Spain. The campaign had mixed results: Montejo was well-received and aided in Ekab, but was ill-received and resisted by Chikinchel and Chetumal, the former via battle and the latter via deception. The Spanish won their engagements against the former polity but failed to subdue the latter.

Background

The Maya are thought to have first come to the attention of the Spanish in 1517, after the disastrous Cordoba expedition from Cuba to Ekab and neighbouring polities.7 Cordoba's surviving crew brought back exciting news of rich discoveries,8 prompting the Santiago sailors to renewed exploratory zeal,13 and shortly leading to a smallpox epidemic in the Lowlands.10 On 8 December 1526, the Salamancan conquistador Francisco de Montejo, a principal subordinate to Juan de Grijalva and Hernán Cortés in prior campaigns,10 was named adelantado of Yucatan and Cozumel by Charles I, authorising his conquest and settlement of the same.15 Montejo first named his second-in-command, Alonso Dávila (a close colleague and participant in the Grijalva and Cortes expeditions),16 with whom he then engaged four ships (including San Jerónimo, Nicolasa, La Gavarra) and over 250 men (including Crown representatives and frays) in Seville.18

Expedition

Map
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140km
87miles
8
8 Salamanca, Ekab (second site)
8 Salamanca, Ekab (second site)
7
7 Ulua River
7 Ulua River
6
6 Chetumal, Chetumal
6 Chetumal, Chetumal
5
5 Salamanca, Ekab (first site, again)
5 Salamanca, Ekab (first site, again)
4
4 Ake, Chikinchel
4 Ake, Chikinchel
3
3 Chauaka, Chikinchel
3 Chauaka, Chikinchel
2
2 Salamanca, Ekab (first site)
2 Salamanca, Ekab (first site)
1
1 Cozumel, Ekab
1 Cozumel, Ekab
1
Cozumel, Ekab
2
Salamanca, Ekab (first site)
3
Chauaka, Chikinchel
4
Ake, Chikinchel
5
Salamanca, Ekab (first site, again)
6
Chetumal, Chetumal
7
Ulua River
8
Salamanca, Ekab (second site)

Montejo set sail from Seville in late June 1527, were thoroughly refitted in Santo Domingo, and landed in Cozumel in late September 1527.19 The flotilla were reportedly afforded a warm reception by the islanders and Naum Pat (the local batab or mayor), allowing them to water for a few days before proceeding to the mainland.22 They explored their immediate landing site (in Ekab), and came upon the towns of Xelha and Zama, where they were similarly well-received, prompting Montejo to found a settlement in the area, christened Salamanca, in October 1527.23 Their substantial demands for foodstuffs soon grew irksome to locals, upon which Salamanca saw their supplies dwindle.24 In late 1527 or early 1528, after a trying period of near-famine and disease, the Spanish moved northwards.25 With Pat's intercession, they were purportedly kindly welcomed throughout the province.28 In the spring of 1528, the Montejo party entered Chauaka, capital of Chikinchel.29 Here, the Spanish were decidedly unwelcome, sparking a skirmish which Montejo won.30 They next headed to Ake (likewise in Chikinchel), where they were likewise engaged (in an encounter now known as the Battle of Ake) and where the Spanish were similarly victorious.31 This northern foray having proved a success, Montejo headed back south to Salamanca, arriving in mid or late summer of 1528.33 Here, the men (now whittled down to a party of 70 to 75) were provisioned from Santo Domingo by La Gavarra, whereupon they embarked on a two-pronged foray (by land and sea) southwards.34

Southern leg

For their sourthern entrada in the late summer of 1528, Montejo was to hug the eastern Yucatan coast with eight to ten men aboard the brigantine or caravel La Gavarra, whilst Davila took a parallel route by land with the majority of their men (some 40 to 55).36 They set the eponymous port and capital of Chetumal as their rendezvous point, which Montejo reached first, having somehow managed to navigate through the barrier reef.39 Unsure of the reception awaiting them, Montejo and his men kidnapped three or four residents under cover of darkness, and set about interrogating them to gather intelligence.40 The hostages revealled the presence of Gonzalo Guerrero, a shipwrecked Spanish sailor who had entered (or been forced into) service for the local halach winik or governor (Nachan Kan), and who was now nakom or commanding officer of the province's military or militia.40 Montejo despatched one of his captives to Guerrero, inviting the nakom to break rank and join the Spanish conquest (but was rebuffed).40

As Chetumal prepared for possible battle, Kan and Guerrero apparently sought to preclude it by keeping Davila (of whose approach they had seemingly had advance warning), presently thirty leagues north, from reaching the port.38 Prior to (or at about the date of) Montejo's arrival, runners had been (or were) sent northwards to Davila, with instructions to present themselves as friendly guides and lead the party westwards, whereupon they were to inform the lieutenant that Montejo had been lost at sea.41 The greater threat thus dealt with, Kan and Guerrero now set out to buy time by placating Montejo, treating with him kindly and ministering to his crew's needs. Both feints apparently worked, as upon being informed that the Davila party had all perished, Montejo promptly took his leave and carried on southwards to Ulua River, where he exited the barrier reef's inner waters and sailed back north to Salamanca.42 Davila similarly took his guides' word at face value, and likewise marched back north on learning of Montejo's supposed demise.43

Aftermath

Montejo reached Salamanca (which had been moved north to Xamanha) after Davila, whereupon they discovered the Chetumal ruse.43 As Montejo had found its harbour exceedingly good, he determined that they would gather reinforcements in Veracruz for a renewed offensive on Chetumal.43 It was likely still late summer of 1528 when they set sail.44 By December of that year, Montejo and his alférez mayor, Gonzalo Nieto, had engaged sufficient men, provisions, and two large vessels in Veracruz and Mexico City for a renewed campaign.45 These plans were abruptly upset, however, when the adelantado received the Real Audiencia of Mexico's authorisation to pacify Maya polities in the north and west Lowlands for New Spain.46 It was not until these polities (Chakan, Can Pech, Ah Canul) had been pacified that the adelantado would once again set his sights on Chetumal (in early 1531).47

See also

See also

Notes and references

Notes

  1. Jones 1989, p. 27.
  2. González Hernández 2018, para. 1, 5–9.
  3. González Hernández 2018, para. 4–5.
  4. Varela Marcos 2018a, para. 8–16.
  5. Varela Marcos 2018b, para. 33–41.
  6. Arranz Márquez 2018, para. 12–20.
  7. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 11–12. Lowland Maya likely had prior notice of the Spanish due to the: 1514 transfer of Gonzalo Guerrero from Ekab to Chetumal;12 1511–1512 stranding of Guerrero and company in Cozumel;31 1508 Pinzon–Solis voyage to Lake Izabal;456 1502 fourth voyage of Columbus to Guanaja.
  8. Tola de Habich 2018, p. 43.
  9. Clendinnen 2003, p. 16.
  10. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 13–15.
  11. Tola de Habich 2018, pp. 134, 136–137.
  12. Chamberlain 1948, p. 16.
  13. Including further trips to Yucatan and beyond,910 and 13 November 1518 naming of Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar as adelantado of Yucatan (authorising conquest and settlement, though Velazquez ultimately failed to do so).1112
  14. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 19–20, 22.
  15. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 19; García Bernal 2018, para. 13–14. The petition was formally made on 16 November 1526, and supported by Pánfilo de Narváez and Antonio de Sedeño. The letters patent required that conquest begin within the year.14
  16. Chamberlain 1948, p. 30.
  17. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 31–35.
  18. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 31–35; García Bernal 2018, para. 15. The ships were: (i) the San Jerónimo, Miguel Ferrer master, (ii) Nicolasa, Ochoa master, (iii) La Gavarra, master not named, and (iv) a fourth unnamed ship, master likewise not named.17 Montejo's principal subordinates were: Alonso Dávila, Antón Sánchez Calabrés, Pedro de los Ríos, Pedro de Añasco, Pedro de Lugones, Pedro González, Hernando Palomino, Pedro Gaitán, and possibly Andrés de Calleja and Roberto Alemán.17 Crown representatives Pedro de Luna and Hernando de Cueto accompanied the expedition, as did frays Juan Rodríguez de Caraveo, Pedro Fernández, and Gregorio de San Martín.17
  19. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 31–35; García Bernal 2018, para. 15.
  20. Roys 1957, p. 143.
  21. Roys 1957, p. 155.
  22. Chamberlain 1948, p. 35–36. It has been suggested that the Pat ch'ibal or noble house were the most influential house in Ekab, which is thought to have encompassed Cozumel.20 At least two towns are known to have existed in Cozumel prior to Spanish conquest.21 These were later known as San Miguel Xamancab and Santa María Oycib.21 A third town, possibly Tantun, has been suggested.21
  23. Chamberlain 1948, p. 36.
  24. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 39–40.
  25. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 40–41.
  26. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 45–46.
  27. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 46–48.
  28. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 45–47. The Spanish chanced upon Pat at Xamanha, and readily accepted his offer of diplomatic aid.26 Good will was further maintained by the Yukatek fluency of some officers and friars, fine displays of horsemanship, and strict discipline.27
  29. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 49–51.
  30. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 52–53.
  31. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 54–58.
  32. Chamberlain 1948, p. 58.
  33. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 54–58. Foray may have involved engagements with Sotuta or Kupul.32
  34. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 59–60.
  35. Chamberlain 1948, p. 60.
  36. Chamberlain 1948, p. 60; Jones 1989, p. 26. A small contingent of twenty men stayed at Salamanca, under Alonso de Luján.35 They were to build a small craft and follow Montejo posthaste.35 It is not immediately clear how many men constituted the Davila party: Chamberlain 1948, pp. 59–60 computes the tally at 50 to 55, as La Gavarra reportedly found 70 to 75 men in Salamanca; Jones 1989, p. 26 pegs the number at circa 40.
  37. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 60–61, 63.
  38. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 62–63.
  39. Chamberlain 1948, p. 60. The details of their crossing the barrier reef, and of their navigating its inner waters, are not clear, though this was apparently accomplished with the La Guevarra, rather than any smaller craft of lower draught.37 It is not clear whether port officials were forewarned of Montejo's maritime approach.38
  40. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 61–63.
  41. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 63–64.
  42. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 64–65; Jones 1989, p. 28.
  43. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 64–65.
  44. Chamberlain 1948, p. 65.
  45. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 69–70.
  46. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 71–72.
  47. Chamberlain 1948, pp. 97–99.

References

  1. Arranz Márquez, Luis (2018). "Pedro de Ledesma". Diccionario Biográfico electrónico. Real Academia de la Historia. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  2. Chamberlain, Robert Stoner (1948). The conquest and colonization of Yucatan, 1517–1550. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication. Vol. 582 (1st ed.). Washington, DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington. hdl:2027/txu.059173008409431.
  3. Clendinnen I (2003) [First published 1987 by Cambridge University Press]. Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniard in Yucatan, 1517-1570. Cambridge Latin American Studies. Vol. 61 (2nd ed.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. ISBN 0-521-82031-6. LCCN 2002191144.
  4. García Bernal, Manuela Cristina (2018). "Francisco de Montejo". Diccionario Biográfico electrónico. Real Academia de la Historia. Retrieved 10 August 2021.
  5. González Hernández, Cristina (2018). "Gonzalo Guerrero". Diccionario Biográfico electrónico. Real Academia de la Historia. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  6. Jones, Grant D (1989). Maya resistance to Spanish rule : time and history on a colonial frontier (1st ed.). Albuquerque, NM: University of New Mexico Press. ISBN 082631161X.
  7. Roys, Ralph L (1957). The Political Geography of the Yucatan Maya. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication. Vol. 613 (1st ed.). Washington, DC: Carnegie Institution of Washington.
  8. Tola de Habich F (2018). Yucatán 1517: El segundo descubrimiento de América (Hernández de Córdoba). Viajeros; Colección sextante. Vol. 6. Mérida, Yucatán: Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. ISBN 978-607-30-1074-0. LCCN 2019447521.
  9. Varela Marcos, Jesús (2018a). "Juan Díaz de Solís". Diccionario Biográfico electrónico. Real Academia de la Historia. Retrieved 3 August 2021.
  10. Varela Marcos, Jesús (2018b). "Vicente Yáñez Pinzón". Diccionario Biográfico electrónico. Real Academia de la Historia. Retrieved 3 August 2021.

18°49′10″N 87°54′30″W / 18.81949°N 87.90828°W / 18.81949; -87.90828