Encomienda
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The encomienda was a 16th-century Spanish labour system that rewarded Spain's conquistadors with the labour of conquered non-Christian peoples. In theory, the conquerors would provide the labourers wi
Francisco Hernández Girón was a Spanish encomendero in the Viceroyalty of Peru who protested the New Laws in 1553. These laws, passed in 1542 but repealed in 1545, gave certain rights to Indigenous peoples and protected them against abuses. Drawing by Felipe Guamán Poma de Ayala.
Hernán Cortés, conqueror of the Aztecs and premier encomendero of New Spain
The Codex Kingsborough: also known as the Codex Tepetlaoztoc, is a 16th-century Mesoamerican pictorial manuscript which was part of a lawsuit against the Spanish encomenderos for mistreatment
Blasco Núñez Vela
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Blasco Núñez Vela was the first Spanish viceroy of South America. Serving from May 15, 1544 to January 18, 1546, he was charged by Charles V with the enforcement of the controversial New Laws, which d
