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Miniatures Adventure => Pikes, Muskets and Flouncy Shirts => Topic started by: OB on October 06, 2021, 09:58:13 AM

Title: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: OB on October 06, 2021, 09:58:13 AM

I thought I’d take another look at Bernal Diaz’s first- hand account of a battle between the Mayans and the Spanish.  As always with Bernal’s history there is a wealth of detail.

If you are interested in the Conquistadores and their opponents you might find it of interest.

https://youdonotknowthenorth.blogspot.com

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: fred on October 06, 2021, 12:27:42 PM

Very interesting - does the account give a view of how big the Spanish party was to start with? If they have suffered 50-60 fatalities I assume fairly large.

And if the Maya can largely surround the Spanish then their force must be considerably larger.

The Maya seem to produce a huge volume of light missile fire, which is causing more wounds than kills, it seems. Presumably the Spanish musketrery is lower volume but more deadly.

Overall it feels a classic asymmetric fight with very different levels of technology on each side, but also with a good amount of morale coming into play?

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: OB on October 06, 2021, 12:38:39 PM

From memory the Spanish contingent was around 120-150 soldiers.  They had landed to secure water supplies.

We don't know the number of Maya but we can note nearby settlements sent help.

Yeah for the rest that's my reading too Fred.

An important point is the Maya knew what to expect.

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: Romark on October 06, 2021, 02:34:46 PM

Very interesting,already looking forward to seeing the next posts  8)

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: OB on October 06, 2021, 04:36:53 PM

Thanks Romark.  The next installment will be the battles with Tlaxcallans.  They really are interesting fights.

I have a load of Tlaxcallan toys so they will feature too.

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: fred on October 06, 2021, 05:35:53 PM

Quote from: OB on October 06, 2021, 12:38:39 PM

An important point is the Maya knew what to expect.

A good point - when muskets (noise and smoke) are not longer scary in their own right, then that is a where the Spanish have a much bigger problem, as the enemy isn’t running after a barrage of noise and fury!

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: Romark on October 06, 2021, 05:46:15 PM

Quote from: OB on October 06, 2021, 04:36:53 PM

Thanks Romark.  The next installment will be the battles with Tlaxcallans.  They really are interesting fights.

I have a load of Tlaxcallan toys so they will feature too.

Great stuff  :)

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: Inkpaduta on October 06, 2021, 06:34:53 PM

May I ask why they are mounted three to a stand? Is this for certain rule set you are using?

Title: Re: The Mayans meet the Spanish
Post by: OB on October 06, 2021, 06:44:13 PM

Probably Lion Rampant although they never saw a game.  I don't have many Maya.