# Montejo expedition > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Montejo_expedition > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Montejo_expedition.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montejo_expedition > Source revision: 1353903245 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{short description|Spanish maritime expedition, 1527–1528}} {{dmy|date=May 2026}} {{ties|Belize}} {{Infobox expedition | name = | image = La conquista 2 detail.png | alt = | caption = Modern mural depicting [La Conquista](/source/La_Conquista) | sponsor = [Francisco de Montejo](/source/Francisco_de_Montejo) | country = [New Spain](/source/New_Spain) | leader = [Francisco de Montejo](/source/Francisco_de_Montejo) | start_location = [Seville](/source/Seville) | start_date = late June {{start year|1527}} | end_location = [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz_(city)) | end_date = by September {{end year|1528}} | goal = to conquer and settle the [Maya Lowland](/source/Maya_Lowland) polities in [Yucatan](/source/Yucatan_(peninsula)) and [Cozumel](/source/Cozumel) | ships = ''San Jerónimo'', ''Nicolasa'', ''La Gavarra'', unnamed fourth ship | crew = over 250 men | survivors = | fatalities = Unknown | achievements = Won two battles against [Chikinchel](/source/Chikinchel) | route_image = | route_image_size = | route_image_upright = | route_image_caption = }} The '''Montejo expedition''' was a Spanish military and martime expedition to the [Maya Lowlands](/source/Maya_Lowlands) in 1527–1528, during the [conquest of Yucatan](/source/conquest_of_Yucatan), led by [Francisco de Montejo](/source/Francisco_de_Montejo), who was named ''[adelantado](/source/adelantado)'' and thereby authorised to conquer the [Postclassic Maya polities](/source/Postclassic_Maya_polities) there for [New Spain](/source/New_Spain). The campaign had mixed results: Montejo was well-received and aided in [Ekab](/source/Ekab), but was ill-received and resisted by [Chikinchel](/source/Chikinchel) and [Chetumal](/source/Chetumal_(polity)), 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](/source/Cordoba_expedition) from [Cuba](/source/Cuba_(governorate)) to [Ekab](/source/Ekab) and neighbouring polities.{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=11–12}}. [Lowland Maya](/source/Lowland_Maya) likely had prior notice of the Spanish due to the: 1514 transfer of [Gonzalo Guerrero](/source/Gonzalo_Guerrero) from [Ekab](/source/Ekab) to [Chetumal](/source/Chetumal_(polity));{{sfn|Jones|1989|p=27}}{{sfn|González Hernández|2018|loc=para. 1, 5–9}} 1511–1512 stranding of Guerrero and company in [Cozumel](/source/Cozumel);{{sfn|González Hernández|2018|loc=para. 4–5}}{{sfn|Jones|1989|p=27}} 1508 [Pinzon–Solis voyage](/source/Pinzon%E2%80%93Solis_voyage) to [Lake Izabal](/source/Lake_Izabal);{{sfn|Varela Marcos|2018a|loc=para. 8–16}}{{sfn|Varela Marcos|2018b|loc=para. 33–41}}{{sfn|Arranz Márquez|2018|loc=para. 12–20}} 1502 [fourth voyage of Columbus](/source/fourth_voyage_of_Columbus) to [Guanaja](/source/Guanaja).}} Cordoba's surviving crew brought back exciting news of rich discoveries,{{sfn|Tola de Habich|2018|p=43}} prompting the [Santiago](/source/Santiago_(Cuba)) sailors to renewed exploratory zeal,{{refn|Including further trips to Yucatan and beyond,{{sfn|Clendinnen|2003|p=16}}{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=13–15}} and 13 November 1518 naming of [Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar](/source/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez_de_Cu%C3%A9llar) as ''[adelantado](/source/adelantado)'' of Yucatan (authorising conquest and settlement, though Velazquez ultimately failed to do so).{{sfn|Tola de Habich|2018|pp=134, 136-137}}{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=16}}}} and shortly leading to a smallpox epidemic in the [Lowlands](/source/Lowlands_(Maya)).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=13–15}} On 8 December 1526, the [Salamanca](/source/Salamanca)n conquistador [Francisco de Montejo](/source/Francisco_de_Montejo), a principal subordinate to [Juan de Grijalva](/source/Juan_de_Grijalva) and [Hernán Cortés](/source/Hern%C3%A1n_Cort%C3%A9s) in prior campaigns,{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=13–15}} was named ''[adelantado](/source/adelantado)'' of [Yucatan](/source/Yucatan_(peninsula)) and [Cozumel](/source/Cozumel) by [Charles I](/source/Charles_I_(Spain)), authorising his conquest and settlement of the same.{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=19}}; {{harvnb|García Bernal|2018|loc=para. 13–14}}. The petition was formally made on 16 November 1526, and supported by [Pánfilo de Narváez](/source/P%C3%A1nfilo_de_Narv%C3%A1ez) and [Antonio de Sedeño](/source/Antonio_de_Sede%C3%B1o). The letters patent required that conquest begin within the year.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=19–20, 22}}}} Montejo first named his second-in-command, [Alonso Dávila](/source/Alonso_D%C3%A1vila) (a close colleague and participant in the Grijalva and Cortes expeditions),{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=30}} with whom he then engaged four ships (including ''San Jerónimo'', ''Nicolasa'', ''La Gavarra'') and over 250 men (including Crown representatives and frays) in [Seville](/source/Seville).{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=31–35}}; {{harvnb|García Bernal|2018|loc=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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=31–35}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=31–35}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=31–35}}}} == Expedition == {{OSM Location map |coord={{coord|18.81949|-87.90828}} |zoom=6 |width=250 |shape1=n-circle |auto-caption=1 |nolabels=1 |title= |label1= |label-pos1= |mark-coord1={{coord|20.47656|-86.89581}} |mark-title1=[Cozumel](/source/Cozumel), [Ekab](/source/Ekab) |label2= |label-pos2= |mark-coord2={{coord|20.34942|-87.33999}} |mark-title2=Salamanca, [Ekab](/source/Ekab) (''first site'') |label3= |label-pos3= |mark-coord3={{coord|21.41323|-87.73034}} |mark-title3=Chauaka, [Chikinchel](/source/Chikinchel) |label4= |label-pos4= |mark-coord4={{coord|20.95042|-89.30315}} |mark-title4=[Ake](/source/Ake), [Chikinchel](/source/Chikinchel) |label5= |label-pos5= |mark-coord5={{coord|20.34942|-87.33999}} |mark-title5=Salamanca, [Ekab](/source/Ekab) (''first site'', again) |label6= |label-pos6= |mark-coord6={{coord|18.48211|-88.30691}} |mark-title6=Chetumal, [Chetumal](/source/Chetumal_(polity)) |label7= |label-pos7= |mark-coord7={{coord|15.93910|-87.71964}} |mark-title7=[Ulua River](/source/Ulua_River) |label8= |label-pos8= |mark-coord8={{coord|20.61958|-87.07850}} |mark-title8=Salamanca, [Ekab](/source/Ekab) (''second site'') }} Montejo set sail from Seville in late June 1527, were thoroughly refitted in [Santo Domingo](/source/Santo_Domingo), and landed in Cozumel in late September 1527.{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=31–35}}; {{harvnb|García Bernal|2018|loc=para. 15}}.}} The flotilla were reportedly afforded a warm reception by the islanders and Naum Pat (the local ''[batab](/source/batab)'' or mayor), allowing them to water for a few days before proceeding to the mainland.{{refn|{{harvnb|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.{{sfn|Roys|1957|p=143}} At least two towns are known to have existed in Cozumel prior to Spanish conquest.{{sfn|Roys|1957|p=155}} These were later known as San Miguel Xamancab and Santa María Oycib.{{sfn|Roys|1957|p=155}} A third town, possibly Tantun, has been suggested.{{sfn|Roys|1957|p=155}}}} They explored their immediate landing site (in Ekab), and came upon the towns of [Xelha](/source/Xelha) and [Zama](/source/Zama%2C_Ekab), where they were similarly well-received, prompting Montejo to found a settlement in the area, christened ''Salamanca'', in October 1527.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=36}} Their substantial demands for foodstuffs soon grew irksome to locals, upon which Salamanca saw their supplies dwindle.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=39–40}} In late 1527 or early 1528, after a trying period of near-famine and disease, the Spanish moved northwards.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=40–41}} With Pat's intercession, they were purportedly kindly welcomed throughout the province.{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=45–47}}. The Spanish chanced upon Pat at Xamanha, and readily accepted his offer of diplomatic aid.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=45–46}} Good will was further maintained by the Yukatek fluency of some officers and friars, fine displays of horsemanship, and strict discipline.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=46–48}}}} In the spring of 1528, the Montejo party entered Chauaka, capital of [Chikinchel](/source/Chikinchel).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=49–51}} Here, the Spanish were decidedly unwelcome, sparking a skirmish which Montejo won.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=52–53}} They next headed to [Ake](/source/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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=54–58}} This northern foray having proved a success, Montejo headed back south to Salamanca, arriving in mid or late summer of 1528.{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=54–58}}. Foray may have involved engagements with [Sotuta](/source/Sotuta) or [Kupul](/source/Kupul).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=58}}}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=59–60}} === 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).{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|p=60}}; {{harvnb|Jones|1989|p=26}}. A small contingent of twenty men stayed at Salamanca, under Alonso de Luján.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=60}} They were to build a small craft and follow Montejo posthaste.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=60}} It is not immediately clear how many men constituted the Davila party: {{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=59–60}} computes the tally at 50 to 55, as ''La Gavarra'' reportedly found 70 to 75 men in Salamanca; {{harvnb|Jones|1989|p=26}} pegs the number at circa 40.}} 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](/source/reef_(Belize)).{{refn|{{harvnb|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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=60–61, 63}} It is not clear whether port officials were forewarned of Montejo's maritime approach.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=62–63}}}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=61–63}} The hostages revealled the presence of [Gonzalo Guerrero](/source/Gonzalo_Guerrero), a shipwrecked Spanish sailor who had entered (or been forced into) service for the local ''[halach winik](/source/halach_winik)'' or governor ([Nachan Kan](/source/Nachan_Kan)), and who was now ''nakom'' or commanding officer of the province's military or militia.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=61–63}} Montejo despatched one of his captives to Guerrero, inviting the nakom to break rank and join the Spanish conquest (but was rebuffed).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=61–63}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=62–63}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=63–64}} 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](/source/Ulua_River), where he exited the barrier reef's inner waters and sailed back north to Salamanca.{{refn|{{harvnb|Chamberlain|1948|pp=64–65}}; {{harvnb|Jones|1989|p=28}}.}} Davila similarly took his guides' word at face value, and likewise marched back north on learning of Montejo's supposed demise.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=64–65}} == Aftermath == Montejo reached Salamanca (which had been moved north to [Xamanha](/source/Xamanha)) after Davila, whereupon they discovered the Chetumal ruse.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=64–65}} As Montejo had found its harbour exceedingly good, he determined that they would gather reinforcements in [Veracruz](/source/Veracruz_(city)) for a renewed offensive on Chetumal.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=64–65}} It was likely still late summer of 1528 when they set sail.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|p=65}} 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.{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=69–70}} These plans were abruptly upset, however, when the adelantado received the [Real Audiencia of Mexico](/source/Real_Audiencia_of_Mexico)'s authorisation to pacify Maya polities in the north and west Lowlands for [New Spain](/source/New_Spain).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=71–72}} It was not until these polities ([Chakan](/source/Chakan_(Maya_province)), [Can Pech](/source/Can_Pech), [Ah Canul](/source/Ah_Canul)) had been pacified that the adelantado would once again set his sights on Chetumal (in early 1531).{{sfn|Chamberlain|1948|pp=97–99}} == See also == * [Cordoba expedition](/source/Cordoba_expedition){{snd}} similar campaign in 1517 * [Davila entrada](/source/Davila_entrada){{snd}} similar campaign in 1531 == Notes and references == === Notes === {{notelist-lr}} {{reflist|group=n}} {{reflist}} === References === {{refbegin}} # {{cite web |last1=Arranz Márquez |first1=Luis |title=Pedro de Ledesma |url=https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/35544/pedro-de-ledesma |website=Diccionario Biográfico electrónico |publisher=Real Academia de la Historia |access-date=2021-08-03 |date=2018}} # {{cite book |last1=Chamberlain |first1=Robert Stoner |title=The conquest and colonization of Yucatan, 1517–1550 |date=1948 |publisher=Carnegie Institution of Washington |location=Washington, DC |url=https://hdl.handle.net/2027/txu.059173008409431 |url-access=limited |series=Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication |volume=582 |hdl=2027/txu.059173008409431 |edition=1st}} # {{cite book |vauthors=Clendinnen I |date=2003 |edition=2nd |orig-date=First published 1987 by Cambridge University Press |title=Ambivalent Conquests: Maya and Spaniard in Yucatan, 1517-1570 |series=Cambridge Latin American Studies |volume=61 |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0-521-82031-6 |lccn=2002191144}} # {{cite web |last=García Bernal |first=Manuela Cristina |date=2018 |url=https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/13067/francisco-de-montejo |title=Francisco de Montejo |website=Diccionario Biográfico electrónico |publisher=Real Academia de la Historia |access-date=2021-08-10}} # {{cite web |last1=González Hernández |first1=Cristina |title=Gonzalo Guerrero |url=https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/85636/gonzalo-guerrero |website=Diccionario Biográfico electrónico |publisher=Real Academia de la Historia |access-date=2021-08-03 |date=2018}} # {{cite book |last1=Jones |first1=Grant D |title=Maya resistance to Spanish rule : time and history on a colonial frontier |date=1989 |publisher=University of New Mexico Press |location=Albuquerque, NM |isbn=082631161X |edition=1st}} # {{cite book |last1=Roys |first1=Ralph L |title=The Political Geography of the Yucatan Maya |date=1957 |publisher=Carnegie Institution of Washington |location=Washington, DC |edition=1st |series=Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication |volume=613}} # {{cite book |vauthors=Tola de Habich F |date=2018 |title=Yucatán 1517: El segundo descubrimiento de América (Hernández de Córdoba) |series=Viajeros; Colección sextante |volume=6 |place=Mérida, Yucatán |publisher=Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México |isbn=978-607-30-1074-0 |lccn=2019447521}} # {{cite web |last1=Varela Marcos |first1=Jesús |title=Juan Díaz de Solís |url=https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/5892/juan-diaz-de-solis |website=Diccionario Biográfico electrónico |publisher=Real Academia de la Historia |access-date=2021-08-03 |date=2018a}} # {{cite web |last1=Varela Marcos |first1=Jesús |title=Vicente Yáñez Pinzón |url=https://dbe.rah.es/biografias/9717/vicente-yanez-pinzon |website=Diccionario Biográfico electrónico |publisher=Real Academia de la Historia |access-date=2021-08-03 |date=2018b}} {{refend}} {{authority control}} {{coord|18.81949|-87.90828|region:XA_type:event|display=title}} Category:Spanish Belize Category:History of the Yucatán Peninsula Category:16th century in the Maya civilization Category:16th century in Belize Category:Maya warfare Category:Colonial Mexico Category:Conflicts in 1528 Category:1520s establishments in Mexico Category:1520s disestablishments in Mexico --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Montejo expedition](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montejo_expedition) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Montejo_expedition?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.