Hands-On History: Spanish Conquistador 1500-1600 C.E.

We often speak of the conquests of great generals, but what about the soldiers who won the battles? In this series, we look at the life, equipment, and weapons of the average soldier in order to better understand their sacrifices and triumphs. The Spanish Empire was forged by such individuals with both good and bad consequences. How were Spanish soldiers equipped for the rigors of combat in the New World? This hour lecture analyzes the arms and armor of the Spanish conquistadors and the historical context of the conquest of the New World. An on-going lecture series, Hands-on History examines the story of the common soldier and stresses to tell their story. Chapters 0:50 Part 1: Historical Context 4:58 Part 2: Clothing and Accessories 15:57 Part 3: Armor 26:28 Part 4: Sword and Shield 33:15 Part 5: Halberd and Dagger 39:06 Part 6: Crossbow Firing 44:48 Part 7: Conclusion Bibliography: Anthony Pagden, Hernan Cortez: Letters from Mexico. Yale University Press, 1989.