Documents on the Conquest of the Inca




- Foreword -
Like Sir John Eric S. Thompson of Maya studies, Clements R. Markham never held a university post and never had any students. Nevertheless, his academic contributions to Inca studies are still remarkable. He was born on the 20th of July 1830 at Stillingfleet, near York, England, and was taught at Westminster School. Markham entered the British navy in 1844. After he retired from the navy in 1852, he obtained a post in the India Office. In 1860 he collected cinchona trees and seeds from Peru and planted them in India. From 1867 to 1877, he took charge of the geographical department of the India Office.

Markham retired from public life in 1877. Since then, he devoted himself to geographical and historical interests. He was president (1893-1905) of the British Royal Geographical Society. Upon his retirement, the Royal Geographical Society awarded a gold medal for his distinguished service. Also, he served for the Hakluyt Society (1858-86, 1889-1909). He was a specialist on Inca civilization and published The Incas of Peru (1910) and edited early accounts of the Inca. He published 50 volumes of biography and ethnohistory and translated numerous accounts of Spanish explorations and travellers for the Hakluyt Society.

There are many reasons for reprinting his relatively old translations, their historical value, the translator’s reputation, etc. It is true that present scholars often criticises his inaccurate translations found in some texts. Nevertheless, many of his works still remain indispensable for non-specialists and advanced students. Researchers draw on his love affair with the Andean civilization in numerous ways because we make progress beyond the milepost his vigor erected. Although his works are now considered to be “classic ones”, it must be remembered how far is possible to see when one is standing on the shoulders of a great pioneer.

The Spanish accounts selected for this volume provide a glimpse into a world which no longer exists. The Spanish writers of the 16th century often contradict each other, and their texts usually contain strong political bias. Thus, it can be said that they often provide a distorted view of the Spaniards towards the Inca. However, the Spanish chronicles are indispensable because they are the most comprehensive account of the Conquest of the Inca. All translations by Clements R Markham selected in this volume, are fascinating and valuable Spanish chronicles for Inca studies.

In addition to the Spanish accounts, Markham’s English translation of a text of Juan de Santa Cruz Pachacuti-yamqui Salcamayhua, a native nobleman, was selected. Although it was written in the early 17th century, I believe that including an account of the Native America towards the Inca is necessary to maintain a balance of this book. A translation of Requerimiento by Sir Arthur Helps (1813-1875: English historian, novelist, essayist) was also included in this volume for the convenience of the reader.

I wish that the reader will find them useful and worthwhile.


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