Gripen: 1519 - Hernán Cortés Expedition (28mm Diorama)

My 5th diorama from 2023.

It depicts the expedition of Hernán Cortés in 1519, and the march through Mexico. The Spanish conquistadores, who numbered around 600 soldiers, allied themselves with different native american tribes. The Tlaxcalan kingdom became the most important ally and supplied the europeans with food and thousands of additional warriors. Cortés exploited the tension and animosity between the ruthless Aztec empire and its neighbours, and initiated what was to essentially become a civil war between huge armies of Mexica warriors.

The Spaniards only had 15 horses in the beginning and a small number of cannons. Most soldiers were equipped with swords and shields, but also pikes, halberds, crossbows and arquebuses.

The horses made a fearful impression on the native americans, who had never seen such big animals before, charging at them, some clad in armor. Cortés allegedly said: ''after God, we owed our victory to the horses''.

Cortés reached the capital of Tenochtitlan on November 8, 1519, and they were received by Moctezuma, ruler of the Aztecs. After several bloody battles back and forth, hundreds of Spanish lives lost and an unbelievable number of the Mexica population decimated, the conquest was over and in 1521 Tenochtitlan was renamed Mexico City.

When I created this diorama I tried to depict the clothing and armor as faithfully as possible. I have even tried to depict the colour of each horse correctly, as described by Bernal Diaz.

Contrary to popular belief, the classic portrait of Spanish conquistadores with morion helmets is wrong. To my knowledge they actually had a more medieval look, which would be appropriate for the period in question. My goal has been to only include different kinds of kettle helmets, cabasettes, sallets and early forms of burgonet helmets. As far as I know morion helmets were not in use until the middle of the 1500's.One can also notice the native quilted cotton armor used by the Mexica, that was quickly adapted by the Spaniards. Most of the common soldiers did not have lots of steel armor, since it was very expensive.

Lots of bits and pieces from many different brands has been used to get the correct appearance I'm after. Mainly Perry, Warlord Games, Gringo 40's, TAG, Steelfist Miniatures, Artizan Designs and Wargames Atlantic. I have sculpted some things aswell with green stuff.

I hope I have managed to capture the true look and atmosphere of the time.

At the end are several amazing pieces of art that I have used as inspiration.

Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxMLm2JPua0

Hernán Cortés and Malinalli. She was a Mexica slave girl that would eventually learn Spanish and translate for Cortés. She became one of the most valuable assets for Cortés and a respected member of the expedition. Without her the conquest may not have been successful. In history she has had many names, such as: La Malinche, Malintzin or doña Marina.

Bernal Diaz was one of the soldiers. Later in his life he wrote a book about his participation in the conquest. It is one of the most important sources we have today. It gives us a glimpse into the past and the life of not only Cortés but also the ordinary soldiers and native americans.

Gonzalo de Sandoval was the youngest officer and a soldier from Medellín. He eventually became one of Cortés's most trusted lieutenants, in charge with many near-death missions during the invasion of Mexico.

Pedro de Alvarado, nicknamed ''Tonatiuh'' (the sun) by the Aztecs due to his blond hair, was allegedly a handsome, flamboyant and athletic officer. But he was also extremely cruel and reckless, giving Cortés a series of headaches during the campaign. During an episode of ''la Noche Triste'' he leaped over a gap in the bridges with the use of a pike. He would later in his career invade Guatemala.

An able officer, Juan de Escalante was assigned the command of the first established colony in Mexico, named ''Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz'' near Cempoala. He met thousands of Aztecs on the battlefield of Nautla. Escalante had 2 cannons, 3 crossbowmen, 2 arquebusiers, 40 soldiers and over 2000 Totonac Allies. The latter eventually fled the field and the spaniards were driven back. Escalante died of his wounds.

Francisco de Morla was one of the captains of the eleven ships of the expedition. He is acknowledged by Bernal Diaz to be the first cavalryman that led a charge against the Maya in the beginning of the conquest. Not much is known about him, and he later perished during ''La Noche Triste'', in the desperate and fatal escape from Tenochtitlan.

Cristóbal de Olid and Juan Velázques de León looking at something in the distance. Velázques de León was a relative of the governor of Cuba. He died when the Aztecs attacked the spaniards as they fled Tenochtitlan during what would later be known as the Sad Night or ''La Noche Triste''. Weighed down by gold he fell down and became stuck in one of the huge piles of bodies that accumulated as hundreds of people tried to push forward and escape the city on the narrow bridges.

Tlaxcalan or Totonac porters.

African slaves were a regular aspect of the conquistador expeditions, something that is not often mentioned in my opinion. Some free men even joined as soldiers.