spanish conquest spanish conquest campaign undertaken spanish late states yucatán_peninsula vast limestone plain covering south eastern mexico northern guatemala belize spanish conquest yucatán_peninsula hindered politically fragmented state spanish engaged strategy concentrating native populations newly founded colonial towns native resistance new settlements took form flight inaccessible regions forest joining neighbouring maya groups submitted spanish maya ambush favoured tactic spanish weaponry included light artillery maya warriors fought flint tipped spears bows arrows stones wore cotton armour protect spanish introduced number diseases previously unknown americas initiating devastating swept native populations encounter occurred fourth voyage came large maya trading canoe honduras landfall tip peninsula expedition continued coast suffered heavy losses pitched battle forcing retreat cuba explored coast heard tales wealthy west result rumours set sail fleet continued peninsula fought battle continued onward conquer empire led expedition honduras cutting southern northern guatemala set sail spain small fleet left garrisons east coast northeast peninsula returned east find garrisons eliminated supply ship explore southwards entire peninsula central mexico aid son named spanish moved base operations repulsed significant maya attack battle spanish founded town north carved province soldiers local maya rebelled laid siege small spanish garrison forced flee end beginning spanish retreated veracruz peaceful attempts incorporate spanish empire failed renewed spanish military presence forced spanish outpost isolated hostile population permanent spanish town councils entire peninsula founded powerful lord converted roman catholic religion submission spain conversion christianity encouraged lords western provinces accept spanish rule late alliance eastern provinces launched unsuccessful uprising spanish eastern maya defeated single battle marked final conquest northern portion yucatán_peninsula south remained independent received refugees fleeing spanish jurisdiction unsuccessful missions attempted peaceful conversion pagan slaughtered spanish parties trying reach capital events ended spanish attempts contact course number spanish expeditions attempted reach mutually independent spanish colonies guatemala early spanish began build road south activity intensified significant losses spanish governor launched assault march city fell brief battle defeat independent native kingdom americas fell spanish geography yucatán_peninsula bordered caribbean_sea east gulf_of_mexico north west line running gulf coast caribbean coast incorporates modern mexican states eastern portion state department belize peninsula formed vast plain hills mountains generally low coastline kilometre stretch high rocky coast runs south city gulf_coast number bays situated east coast peninsula north south santo bay bay north coast features wide sandy zone extreme north peninsula roughly corresponding underlying bedrock consisting flat limestone south limestone rises form low chain steep initial running kilometres east gulf_coast near terminating kilometres caribbean coast near border hills reach maximum altitude metres northwestern northern portions yucatán_peninsula experience lower rainfall rest peninsula regions feature highly limestone bedrock resulting surface water limestone geology results directly bedrock zone slowly flows coasts form large submarine springs freshwater springs rise coast form holes limestone caused formation extensive cave systems cave subject collapse forming deep cave deeper level formed contrast northeastern portion peninsula characterised forested northern portion peninsula lacks rivers rivers located south flows west east south central lake flows northwards belize lake flows belize northwards flow belize join form caribbean_sea southwest peninsula form gulf_of_mexico drainage region consists densely forested low lying limestone plain featuring topography area crossed low east west oriented ridges limestone characterised variety forest soil types water sources include generally small rivers low lying seasonal swamps known chain fourteen lakes runs central drainage basin rainy season lakes drainage area measures approximately kilometres east west kilometres north south largest lake near centre drainage basin measures kilometres broad savannah extends south central lakes north lakes region frequent interspersed forest far north basin forms interior drainage region south plain gradually rises canopy height forest gradually decreases northwards averaging metres dense forest covers northern southern portion south north vegetation turns lower forest consisting dense climate climate progressively drier north peninsula north annual mean temperature average temperature peninsula varies january july lowest temperature record peninsula mean annual precipitation millimetres rainy season lasts june september dry season runs october dry season rainfall averages millimetres wet season increases average millimetres prevailing winds easterly created east west precipitation gradient average rainfall east exceeding millimetres north northwestern portions peninsula receiving maximum millimetres southeastern portion peninsula tropical rainy climate short dry season winter hot climate receives highest rainfall climate divided wet dry seasons rainy season lasting june december seasons clearly defined south rain occurring year climate varies tropical south north temperature varies usually drop beneath mean temperature varies southeast northeast highest temperatures reached april june january month experiences hot dry period late august annual precipitation high varying mean millimetres northeast millimetres central conquest large maya cities developed far south yucatán_peninsula far formed ancient maya civilization classic period 16th century maya provinces northern likely evolved maya classic period century century united northern provinces time shared joint form government great cities dominated fallen ruin beginning 10th century onset classic maya collapse significant maya presence remained period abandonment major classic period cities population particularly concentrated near permanent water sources early 16th century spanish discovered yucatán_peninsula region dominated maya civilization divided number independent provinces referred language provinces shared common culture internal organisation varied province access important resources differences political economic makeup led hostilities provinces politically fragmented state yucatán_peninsula time conquest hindered spanish invasion central political authority overthrown spanish able exploit taking advantage pre existing rivalries estimates number northern vary sixteen boundaries stable subject effects alliances wars forms government likely stable boundaries loose provinces spanish discovered provinces important region mutually hostile maya allied spanish maya enemies european time conquest north included largely small stretch coast north peninsula coastal province east east north coast modern city situated site capital known mutually hostile engaged wars control salt beds north coast small province south large province east southeast south bordered caribbean_sea eastern half peninsula southwest northwest borders poorly understood extended occupy portion caribbean coast capital provinces north southwest northernmost province gulf_coast peninsula modern south followed modern south extending west gulf_coast maya speaking province extended east far southern portion state capital located southern portion peninsula number occupied occupied territory north east lakes west maya speaking confused modern inhabitants controlled territory tributaries spanning southwestern guatemala eastern fierce reputation spanish insufficient data accurately estimate population sizes time contact spanish early spanish reports suggest maya populations existed particularly central lakes rivers defeat controlled influenced parts belize martial prowess impressed neighbouring maya kingdoms spanish enemies capital island city lake developed modern town capital department guatemala spoke variety maya second importance hostile neighbours located east eastern lakes lake lake appear dominant central alongside territory maximum extension east shore lake eastwards belize 17th century capital located site north shore lake time spanish contact allied alliance cemented groups late 17th century spanish colonial records document hostilities maya groups lakes region sites including lake groups known precise territorial extent political makeup remains obscure impact old world diseases single soldier arriving mexico carrying smallpox initiated devastating swept native populations americas european diseases ravaged indigenous inhabitants americas severely affected maya groups entire yucatán_peninsula modern estimates native population decline vary mortality terrible swept peninsula recorded written histories combined neighbouring maya peoples suggest smallpox rapidly transmitted maya area year arrived central mexico forces command old world diseases mentioned briefly indigenous accounts making difficult identify exact culprit deadly aforementioned smallpox number diseases including tuberculosis disease attributed arrival spanish maya inhabitants diseases swept periodic 16th century late 16th century reports high suggest arrival malaria region yellow fever reported century mention particular outbreak traced island caribbean introduced port city transmitted mortality high approximately population settlements wiped sixteen reported died probably majority based time probably numbered outbreak areas peninsula experience conditions particularly possessing rapidly conquest introduction malaria parasites example time populated province occupying northeastern portion peninsula occupied town months spanish recorded approximately houses town adult male population time estimated spanish records tributaries registered indicating population drop years native population northeastern portion peninsula completely eliminated years conquest south conditions spread malaria existed belize time fall estimated maya living lake including large number refugees areas estimated died years colonial rule owing combination disease war likewise population approximately reduced estimated smallpox main weaponry strategies tactics spanish engaged strategy concentrating native populations newly founded colonial towns known native resistance new settlements took form flight indigenous inhabitants inaccessible regions forest joining neighbouring maya groups submitted spanish remained fell victim diseases example effect populations strategy province occupied area spanning southern eastern passed estimated population size population recorded population forcibly moved gulf coast easily accessible spanish authorities spanish recorded tribute paying inhabitants probably total population indicates drop population year span inhabitants fled forest succumbed disease inadequate housing spanish coastal convenient spanish administration vulnerable pirate attacks case pirate attacks european diseases led town extinction maya ambush favoured tactic spanish weaponry armour 16th century spanish armed light artillery mounted armed metre lance served pike variety bills employed handed metre long handed version metre arms horn bone cane supplied facilitate drawing string easier maintain especially humid tropical climate caribbean region included yucatán_peninsula native weaponry armour maya warriors entered battle spanish flint tipped spears bows arrows stones wore cotton armour protect members maya aristocracy wore cotton armour warriors lesser rank wore twisted rolls cotton wrapped bodies warriors bore wooden animal hide shields decorated feathers animal skins encounters july fourth voyage arrived coast honduras sent brother scout island explored island boats large canoe approached west apparently route island canoe carved large tree trunk powered naked rowers curious visitors seized boarded found maya trading canoe carrying dressed maya rich cargo included cotton yellow stone axes flint war clubs copper axes bells cargo small number women children probably destined sold slaves number rowers europeans looted took interest cargo seized elderly maya captain serve interpreter canoe allowed continue way recorded contact europeans maya likely news strangers caribbean passed maya trade routes invaders sent northern maya god probably recorded time course passed books spanish set sail central american coast command ship sailing santo domingo inform colonial authorities ongoing conflict ship reef known alternatively jamaica survivors wreck including captain set ship boats bad sail thirteen days half survivors died landfall coast seized maya lord captain sacrificed companions flesh served feast guerrero held prisoner killing guerrero managed escape captors fled neighbouring lord enemy took prisoner kept slaves time passed slave lord guerrero completely served new lord loyalty married daughters children guerrero achieved rank war leader served enemies francisco set sail cuba small fleet consisting dual intention exploration rounding slaves experienced served pilot previously served pilot final voyage approximately strong expedition members expedition sailed west cuba weeks day storm week sighting coast northeastern tip yucatán_peninsula ships close shore coastal waters maya city leagues inland low hill spanish called literally great cairo size location known certainty believed sighting following morning spanish sent ships shallower draught find safe approach anchored league shore large powered sails rowed meet spanish ships thirty maya boarded vessels mixed freely maya visitors accepted gifts leader indicated signs return spanish ashore following day maya leader returned following day promised spanish shore packed natives ashore ships boats daring boarded native spanish named words spoken maya leader sounded spanish like ashore loosely advanced city path low covered point maya leader gave shout spanish party ambushed maya warriors armed spears bows arrows stones thirteen injured arrows assault repulsed maya attack advanced small plaza bordered temples outskirts city temples found number low grade gold items filled enthusiasm expedition captured retreated ships following days spanish discovered maya arrows struck little force flint tended impact causing infected wounds slow death wounded died arrow wounds inflicted ambush days fleet slowly followed coastline west south brought cuba leaking expedition running dangerously low fresh water hunt priority expedition advanced shore parties searching water left dangerously exposed ships pull close shore february day city spotted named spanish known original maya large contingent ashore ships boats fill water freshwater pool approached finely dressed unarmed indians water loaded boats questioned purpose means signs spanish party accepted invitation enter city led large buildings stood blood altar city inhabitants crowded indians visitors act followed procession armed maya warriors war paint followed maya priests maya set fire indicated spanish killed gone time consumed spanish party withdrew defensive formation shore rapidly boarded boats retreat safety ships small fleet continued days fine weather followed stormy days time water dangerously short ships spotted inlet close city landing party discovered fresh water armed maya warriors approached city water filled communication attempted signs night fell time water filled attempts communication concluded darkness hear movements large numbers maya warriors decided night time retreat risky instead posted guards waited dawn sunrise spanish saw surrounded army maya warriors launched assault missiles including arrows stones charged hand hand combat spears clubs eighty defenders wounded initial barrage missiles captured frantic followed spanish party received wounds including spanish defensive formation forced passage shore discipline collapsed frantic scramble boats ensued leaving spanish vulnerable pursuing maya warriors sea precious water abandoned beach surviving spanish reached safety ships realised lost men half number men died wounds following days battle lasted hour spanish named far help low supplies men lost injured sail ships cuba decided abandon smallest ship purchased credit governor cuba men wounded manning ships battle reinforced men suffered relatively minor wounds ashore remote beach dig water found brought ships drank ships sailed storm days nights pilot steered course florida found good drinking water lost man local indians drank water died ships finally port cuba wrote report governor describing voyage cities plantations importantly discovery gold died soon wounds captured maya survived voyage cuba interrogated swore abundant gold based report testimony interrogated indian prisoners governor wrote discovery governor cuba report gold organised new expedition consisting ships men placed nephew command eventually conquer peninsula captain ships captained ships served crew able secure place expedition favour governor served pilot governor provided ships attempt protect claim peninsula small fleet stocked muskets goods pork bread took captured indians expedition fleet left cuba april landfall island east coast maya inhabitants fled spanish respond friendly fleet sailed south east coast peninsula spanish spotted large maya cities coast probably ascension thursday fleet discovered large bay spanish named land cities turned north bay looped north yucatán_peninsula sail west coast spanish tried water maya refused opened fire city small cannon inhabitants fled allowing spanish abandoned city messages sent maya slow escape maya remained hidden forest spanish boarded ships continued coast inhabitants routed men fleet approached small number large war ships cannon soon flight mouth spanish sighted warriors natives approach means indicated wished trade wine exchange food supplies natives received gold news empire west expedition continued far confirm reality gold rich empire sailing far north fleet returned cuba spanish attacked avenge previous year defeat spanish expedition led killed wounded ensuing battle including port havana months left return aroused great interest cuba believed land waiting plundered new expedition organised fleet ships carrying men horses placed command crew included officers famous including aboard veterans expedition fleet landfall remained days maya temples cast christian cross heard rumours men mainland presumed europeans sent able rescue enslaved maya lord learnt language interpreter fleet looped north yucatán_peninsula followed coast renamed honour spanish captain discovered anchored ships town maya prepared battle spanish horses firearms quickly decided outcome defeated lords offered gold food clothing group young women tribute women young maya called given spanish marina spoke maya means able communicate marina consort eventually bore son continued veracruz subject city went conquer sent veteran spain treasure king spain pleaded cause supporters remained spain seven years eventually succeeded acquiring hereditary military title maya spanish conquest led expedition honduras land cutting southern kingdom northern guatemala aim subdue rebellious sent conquer honduras set independently arrival territory left october spanish soldiers mounted mexican warriors horses herd pigs artillery munitions supplies captured emperor captive lords marched maya territory army crossed near crossed province recruited carriers believed captive lords plotting ordered hanged army left march expedition passed onwards territory reported towns situated easily locations fortified built rocky near lake river fed town fortified wooden surrounded moat reported town larger fortified walls earthworks town divided individually fortified districts said war unnamed smaller town claimed towns fortified attacks aggressive neighbours arrived north shore lake march roman catholic priests accompanying expedition celebrated mass presence king said impressed pledged worship cross destroy idols accepted invitation visit known crossed maya city spanish soldiers rest army continued lake meet south shore departure left cross lame horse treated deity attempting feed meat flowers animal soon died spanish officially contact arrival priests cross said standing lake continued south western slopes particularly journey took days cover kilometres lost thirds horses came river swollen constant torrential rains falling expedition turned upstream took days cross cost horses april expedition arrived maya village local guides headed hills north guides abandoned fate expedition lost hills came close starvation captured maya boy led safety found village shore crossed settlement dozen companions waited rest army week time remnants expedition reduced succeeded contacting searching find officers rebellion returned mexico sea richer lands mexico engaged main attention years veteran expeditions successfully petitioned right conquer december year issued hereditary military title permission yucatán_peninsula left spain men ships horses small arms cannon provisions set sail santo domingo supplies horses collected allowing increase cavalry ships left santo domingo supply ship provide later support ships set sail reached island east coast second half september received peace lord ships stopped briefly making coast expedition landfall near maya province mexico state garrisoned soldiers second command posted nearby pole renamed spanish settlement peninsula provisions soon exhausted additional food seized local maya villagers soon consumed local maya fled forest spanish raiding parties surrounding area food finding little discontent growing men took drastic step burning ships strengthened resolve troops gradually harsh conditions able food friendly visit mainland took men set expedition explore north eastern portion peninsula expedition passed towns survives today gathered leaders nearby maya towns ordered swear loyalty spanish crown led men town described having houses spanish party halted months spring left city abandoned maya inhabitants cover darkness following morning inhabitants attacked spanish party defeated spanish continued kilometres north engaged major battle maya killed maya spanish victory neighbouring maya leaders surrendered party continued heading arrived party found man garrison survived garrison pole entirely wiped support ship eventually arrived santo domingo sail south coast sent land discovered thriving port city modern learnt spanish sailor region sent messages inviting return join guerrero declined maya fed false information spanish unable find link returned overland transferred fledgling spanish colony nearby modern considered better port waiting result sailed south far honduras turning heading coast finally meet lieutenant late left oversee sailed north loop yucatán_peninsula head spanish colony central mexico appointed mayor local colonial governor province aid son named sent eastern conquer extended southeast younger founded base operations established base launch new attempts conquer proved disappointment gold taking lower levels population hoped soon abandoned new settlement set lands arriving end colonial power struggle elder imprisoned time release met son rejoined moved base operations sent overland east peninsula passing received maya continued southeast founded spanish town royal town local maya fiercely resisted placement new spanish colony men forced abandon honduras maya amassed strong force attacked city spanish able fight elder killed lord attacking maya surrendered spanish battle younger northern province lord reluctantly allowed found spanish town real carved province soldiers gave men thousand maya months spanish rule dissatisfaction longer contained killed failed attempt kill younger death lord served anger mid laid siege small spanish garrison younger abandoned real night arranging distraction attackers men fled west provinces remained spanish rule younger received friendship lord province spring rejoined father province near modern city son attempting consolidate spanish control met ruler maya maintained friendship spanish conquest spanish authority eventually established large support reuniting founded new spanish town spanish suffered hardships returned received friendship local maya accompanied friendly lord travelled horseback lord cousins taken chains younger remained continue attempts conquest region finding situation difficult soon retreated rejoin father returned shortly younger time news began arrive conquests peru rich soldiers taking morale band followers soldiers began abandon seek fortune seven years attempted conquest northern provinces yucatán_peninsula little gold found end beginning year son retreated veracruz taking remaining soldiers elder embroiled colonial right rule honduras claim conflict captain general guatemala claimed honduras jurisdiction ultimately prove successful elder absence central mexico honduras younger acted lieutenant governor captain general conflict arrived attempt peaceful incorporation assured spanish authorities military activity undertaken attempting conversion faith soldiers permitted enter peninsula initial efforts proving successful captain arrived command soldiers younger soon conflict forced abandon return central mexico attempt subdue maya unsuccessful local resisted attempts assert spanish dominance region resistance sufficiently younger sent cousin command diplomatic successful submitted spanish rule spanish outpost yucatán_peninsula increasingly isolated situation difficult conquest settlement northern elder late 60s turned royal rights son younger early younger joined cousin remain long quickly moved forces younger commanding spanish soldiers established permanent spanish town council yucatán_peninsula shortly establishing spanish presence younger summoned local maya lords commanded submit spanish crown number lords submitted peacefully including ruler maya lord refused submit younger sent cousin remained awaiting reinforcements younger cousin met far january founded second permanent town council calling new colonial town january lord approached spanish peace bearing needed food supplies expressed interest spanish religion witnessed roman catholic mass celebrated benefit greatly impressed converted new religion baptised stayed spanish months receiving instruction catholic faith ruler powerful province northern submission spain conversion christianity repercussions peninsula encouraged lords western provinces peninsula accept spanish rule eastern provinces continued resist spanish younger sent cousin eastern lords greeted peace maya resisted fiercely soon defeated spanish maya rose newly imposed spanish domination opposition quickly continued eastern province reaching east coast pole stormy weather prevented spanish crossing drowned attempted crossing killed hostile maya rumours setback grew telling provinces rose european spanish hold eastern portion peninsula remained number maya remained independent including november alliance eastern provinces launched coordinated uprising spanish provinces united effort drive invaders peninsula uprising lasted months eighteen surprised eastern towns sacrificed contemporary account described slaughter allied maya livestock impending attack younger cousin arrived december reinforcements gathered rebellious eastern maya finally defeated single battle allied maya killed battle marked final conquest northern portion yucatán_peninsula result uprising spanish response maya inhabitants eastern southern territories fled extreme south spanish achieved dominance north remained independent continued receive refugees north covers area guatemala colonial times originally fell jurisdiction governor transferred jurisdiction guatemala kingdom centred lake visited march honduras early 17th century following visit spanish attempted visit inhabitants years set mission attempt peaceful conversion pagan central accompanied maya month journey travellers received current stayed days attempt refused renounce maya religion showed interest masses held catholic missionaries attempts convert failed left friendly terms returned october welcomed friendly manner time maya hostile missionaries expelled food water survived journey march governor ordered captain launch assault set spanish soldiers expedition later joined expedition advanced southwest lengthy delay waited reinforcements route believed soldiers treatment maya excessively cruel left expedition way eighty maya belize meantime learnt approaching military expedition hardened spanish missionary attempts learnt departure sent soldiers persuade return continue escort refuse soldiers caught determined reach sent messenger asking permission travel king replied promise safe passage missionary companions party initially received peace capital soon spanish soldiers let guard seized bound new arrivals soldiers sacrificed maya gods sacrifice took cut heart displayed head stake fortune leader maya companions better word escort sent spanish soldiers maya scout learn fate arrived shore lake took island capital imprisoned scout escaped returned news soon january war party led caught soldiers guard unarmed church killed spanish reinforcements arrived late number local maya men women killed spanish attackers burned town following killings spanish garrisons stationed towns southern rewards offered whereabouts maya governor set maya track succeeded capturing captain followers looted church items belonging prisoners taken spanish captain interrogated torture tried condemned hanged drawn heads displayed towns colonial mexico state events ended spanish attempts contact internal strife spain distracted government attempts conquer unknown lands spanish crown lacked time money interest colonial adventures decades late 17th century nobleman proposed spanish king construction road southwards link colony process reducing independent native populations colonial greater plan southern upper reaches original plan province build northern section guatemala build southern portion meeting territory plan later modified pass east kingdom governor began build road south beginning march captain led group spanish soldiers accompanied native guides labourers expedition advanced south territory began kilometres north modern border mexico guatemala rounded natives moved colonial settlements met armed resistance decided retreat middle april march captain set guatemala spanish soldiers accompanied large number maya native dominican spanish pressed ahead lake engaged series fierce skirmishes hunting parties sight spanish encountered large force retreated south main camp interrogation prisoner revealed kingdom state high alert repel spanish expedition immediately withdrew mid marched southwards spanish soldiers maya plus maya labourers final tally people regarded considerable army impoverished province ordered companies maya join expedition kilometres southeast city end assigned join spanish force accompanied lay brother second group continue onwards independently contact led accompanied lay brother ordered construction fort leagues approximately miles north lake serve main military base real royal road project company native pushed ahead road builders town fled company officers sent reinforcements arrive returned collect abandoned food nervous feared residents returning discharged muskets groups retreating company arrived reinforce charged battle approaching injured ensuing skirmish retreated forest path injury company followed path found deserted settlements large amounts abandoned food seized food retreated path august moved entire army forward october spanish soldiers established near source november garrisoned soldiers december main force reinforced soldiers spanish maya labourers expedition june appointed groups head group join military expedition second group head lake independently second group headed accompanied lay brother christian maya group left june continued south course new road finding increasing evidence spanish military activity overtook kilometres august advanced tried persuade stay minister prisoners instead split group left secret companions seeking attacked advance companies retreated forest unable find manage information path led southwards kingdom returned plans short supplies maya charged converting disappearing forest daily ordered return arrived september group led continued following territory modern near september november small group arrived august found army opened road southwards seventeen leagues approximately miles half way lake returned seasonal rains accompanied lay brother return provincial superior additional join group convert october wrote provincial superior reporting told ready receive spanish friendship day men voluntarily come resided early november brother sent establish mission received native chief pagan priest sufficiently far new spanish road free military interference oversaw building church largest mission town territory second church built attend refugees gathered spanish church established overseen expedition december january left december arrived january accompanied companions followed indian trail led past source steep hills hole ruins followed small town called arrived western end lake enthusiastic welcome local following day current travelled lake eighty greet visitors port town west shore returned baptised children following days tried convince convert christianity surrender spanish crown success king cited prophecy said time right january king arrived spoke arguing acceptance christianity spanish rule discussions exposed deep divisions learnt plot allies ambush kill king advised return spanish lost suffered great hardships including death companions month wandering forest found way returned battle february mid january captain arrived advance portion soldiers plus labourers captain senior officer arrived allied warriors accompanied maya approached carrying approximately warriors warriors began freely spanish party broke dozen spanish party forced killed point spanish soldiers opened fire muskets retreated lake prisoners included spanish party retreated lake shore open ground surrounded thousands warriors ordered men fire volley killed realising outnumbered spanish retreated abandoning captured companions fate convinced surrender peacefully began organise assault work road month battle spanish arrived supported artillery large number gathered nervous spanish soldiers opened fire cannons muskets casualties reported retreated raised white flag safe distance expedition february march led expedition marched men arriving february march captain led party ahead lake accompanied dominican nobleman taken prisoner previous expedition drew close shore lake sent ahead party lured trap expedition members killed man captured sacrificed killed total expedition members including soldiers maya left days followed trail arrived lake week later men scouted south shore near approached land kept safe distance extremely suspicious small offered transport party nightfall approached retreated men took positions small hill nearby early hours morning ordered retreat san received news embassy december apparent formal surrender spanish authority unable reconcile news loss men conditions abandoned unfinished fort retreated guatemala assault continued resistance major embarrassment spanish colonial authorities soldiers arrived western shore lake soldiers february built heavily armed attack boat carried men artillery pieces cross transported lake attack capital march number arrived negotiate sent canoe white flag raised bearing offered peaceful surrender received embassy peace invited visit days later appointed day failed arrive instead maya warriors amassed shore lake assault launched capital morning march boarded soldiers secular priests personal servants baptised brother law prisoner attack boat rowed east capital half way lake encountered large fleet spread arc approach simply gave order row large quantity defenders gathered shore roofs city began shoot invaders ordered men return fire arrows wounded number soldiers wounded soldiers discharged musket point officers lost control men defending soon fled spanish gunfire city fell brief bloody battle warriors died spanish suffered minor casualties spanish bombardment caused heavy loss life island surviving abandoned capital swam mainland dying water battle surviving defenders melted away forests leaving spanish occupy abandoned maya town planted standard highest point island renamed los lady remedy lake nobility fled maya settlements response spanish region search parties soon captured help maya ruler king soon captured maya nobles families defeat independent native kingdom americas fell european
Spanish conquest of Yucatán