In Episode 8, Cortes wears out his welcome in Tenochtitlan and sacrifices Moctezuma in a final attempt at saving his ambition: the greatest city in the New World. The Noche Triste, among the most iconic nights in Mexican history, plays out as the Spanish-Tlaxcala army flees the city.
Part 1 – Cortes Returns to Tenochtitlan
Following the Toscatl Massacre, which decaptitad the Mexica nobility in Cortes’ absence, he returns to take command of a bad situation.
Part 2 – Death of Moctezuma
Holed up and pinned down in Axayactl’s palace, Moctezuma is killed.
Part 3 – Noche Triste
On the most famous evening of the entire Conquest, Cortes and his army try to sneak out of Tenochtitlan. A brutal battle erupts as the Spanish flee on the causeway.
Part 4 – Battle of Otumba
Pursued for days into the desert, Cortes decides to turn and face the pursuing Mexica army.
Part 5 – Struggle in Tenochtitlan
The challenges facing the MExica become apparent once the Spanish are gone. And aplague strikes.
Part 6 – Cortes Returns
After gathering new forces and healing, Cortes brings a refreshed army to finish the Mexica.
Episode 8 Breakdown – Accounts of the Noche Triste
Summary: A gentle rain fell on an overcast night. At midnight the Spaniards and native allies emerged from the palace. They brought their own wooden bridges and crossed three canals until the alarm was raised (Leon 84). An old woman drawing water at the canal raised the alarm, then a priest of Huitzilipochtli called the army to arms (Leon 85). Ixtlilxochitl says this is July 10, 1520 (280).
- Diaz – A bridge was made of beams and planks. 400 Tlaxcalans and 150 Spanish to move and guard it. Gonzalo Sandoval and Diego de Ordaz chosen to lead the main force of 200 Tlaxcalans and 50 Spanish. Francisco de Saucedo and F. de Lugo led rapid response teams of 50 men each. Cortes, Avila, Olid were in the middle, while Alvarado, Velazquez de Leon in the rear behind two of Narvaez’s captains and men. 300 Tlaxcalans and 30 soldiers would guard the prisoners. Drizzle. They set out just before midnight. Cortes and horses first, then treasure, etc. The first bridge went down over a canal but the Mexica were awakening, and rallying. The canoes covered the lake, men and women fell into the canals, dying. The horses got ahead of the foot soldiers, Cortes and the horsemen had reached Tacuba, but others begged him to go back for the foot soldiers, which he briefly attempted. Pedro de Alvarado shows up badly wounded with four Spanish and 8 Tlaxcalans, says 80 are dead. While at Tacuba they were attacked constantly and departed quickly, three men were killed there. Diz notes later most of Narvaez’s men died, weighed down by gold. The Tlaxcalans took them toward Tlaxcala by trails (Diaz 300).
- Bernardino – Says they go out at midnight. Only mentions the drawbridge, and that many were sick and injured. Hit hard by canoes and land, basically says it was terrible. Says 3 or 4 hours arrived at tower, not sure if that’s duration or time of day. 425 men made it, 23 horses.
- Cortes – Gathered all the treasure and loaded up men and horses. Built a wooden bridge to help them escape. Leaving the fort and much treasure they quietly left. At the first canal they got the bridge down and crossed, but guards raised the alarm. They fought and Cortes ended up on the mainland and had to return. He found the army slaughtered almost entirely. He gathered the survivors and urged them off the causeway, guarding the rear until they made it to Tacuba (Cort 131). In Tacuba the party was gathered but uneasy so Cortes moved them up the hill to a tower where they camped, surrounded by the enemy. Says everyone was hurt, 24 remaining horses were also lame or hurt. Cortes states 150 Spaniards died, 45 horses, 1000 Tlaxcalans plus Moctezuma’s children.
- Florentine – The Spanish and Talxcalans left at night, carrying platforms. Spanish first with Tlaxcalans in the rear. Light rain was falling. They crossed three canals fine, the fourth they are spotted by a woman. She sounds the alarm “O, Mexica” and warriors come by water and land. War boats of Tenochca and Tlatelolco warriors were rushing toward the Spanish. Went to Nonoalco and Tacuba to cut them off (passed through Nonoalco?). There was death on all sides, Mexica, Spanish and Tlaxcala (Flor 154). At dawn they are in Popotla. They are pursued to Tacuba and pass through several cities.
- Duran – A big thunderstorm came up one night. Torrential rains forced the Mexica to retreat and their fires went out. Cortes saw this as divine intervention and he ordered a silent departure. The group was spotted by a man and woman on a rooftop, who shouted to the warriors. The group split into two, one group pushed along the causeway, the other returned to the palace. 700 Spaniards were mercilessly hacked to pieces. The canals were full of dead people, horses and treasure. Cortes escaped with 600 people to a place that would later be called Our Lady of Remedies, the men were beaten and wounded. Duran says there are some stories of the people at the palace holding out for several days before dying (Duran 544).
- Aguilar – Moonlight had tampered Cortes in departing but suddenly a storm whipped up and they felt it was a miracle. There were many sick and wounded, horses carrying two or three men. And they left in desperation, carrying drawbridge, but it broke apart. The first ones at the canals drowned and formed a passable bridge for those behind. Aguilar says this happened at each of five or six canals. A Mexica person saw them and began to shout about their escape. The rain of stones and arrows began again. Many died. Some 40 men ended up turning back, with the treasure, and were killed after three days of holding out.
- Thoan Cano – Mentions 270 men who fought until hunger ended their holdout, I think these are the dudes who stayed behind in the palace. Says the men who loaded themselves with gold died and those who didn’t were able to fight their way out. Says, (correcting Cortes’s account) 1170 Spaniards died, in total, more than 8000 Tlaxcalans dead.
- Bernardino – Cortes, considering the danger and hunger, agreed to leave the city. Built drawbridges. Left at midnight. But the indians noticed and hit them by canoe and by land. He says it was a pity those who died.After 3-4 hours they made it to Remedios, almost all dead tired/wounded. Counts 424 men, 23 horses that survived out of 1100+ men, 80+ horses.
- Ixtlilxochitl – Leaves on July 10. Left at night but was noticed. 450 Spanish died, 4000 Indians, 46 horses at “Leap of ALvarado” Those who brought treasure died. Lists names of dead Mexica (Ixtlil 280).
Episode 8 Credits
Written, researched, performed and produced by Jeremy Lipps.
~ Music ~
Araucanian war song by downforthecount
Away by Meydän
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
Daniel Birch, www.danielbirchmusic.com
Breathe
Sustained Light
The Gates Are Locked
This Could All Be Gone Tomorrow
Fourth Imaginary City by cryptic scenery
~ Sound Effects ~
jungle tropical birds and insects by mikevpme
water lapping by celch93
splashing footsteps1 by soundmary
foley natural water jump by nox sound
horses by arnaud coutander
walk on dirt road by mikeypme
horse snort by bruno auzet
horses whinnying by leandiviljoen
arrow cutting through the air by bruno auzet
ancient old time battle combat horses snorting… by ylearkisto
ambient battle noise swords and shouting by phranzen
the rain falls against the parasol by straget
stones falling by iwanPlays
orest stream between mekhanizatorov settlement and akhtyrka vilage moscow region by halfofthesky
water-lapping by ceivh93
rain by idomusics
soft wind by florianreichelt
fire 2 by pushtobreak
horse whinny by inspectorj
coopers hawk by blimp66
walking2-gravel by tec-studio