Beatriz de Palacios was a Spanish woman soldier, nurse and explorer of African and Spanish descent who took part in the Spanish conquest of Mexico. She is widely considered to be one of the first biracial people of partial black ancestry to set foot in the new world.[1]

Biography

Nicknamed "La Parda" due to the tone of her skin (Pardo being an ethnic category, i.e. of mixed ancestry), she arrived to the new world with the expedition of Pánfilo de Narváez along with her husband, Pedro de Escobar, a white Spaniard, as well as her father, Cristobal Palacios.[2] She is mentioned by Francisco Cervantes de Salazar and Bernal Díaz del Castillo among other famous conquerors who often express admiration towards her. Her date of birth is not clear

She served as a nurse under the command of Isabel Rodríguez,[3] but also fought at the front lines, often taking over the guard duties in place of her husband whenever he was too tired.[4] She tended to his wounds and the wounds of others, saddled the horses, took care of the weapons, and did everything just like any other soldier.[1]

Palacios served with honor during La Noche Triste, helping the Spanish troops evacuate Tenochtitlan,[5] and later took part in the retaking of the city.[4] Both she and her husband survived the conquest and established a family in Cuba.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Pereyra CC. Hernán Cortes. Ed. Porrúa Col. Sepan Cuantos 1971 México (165), 165.
  2. ^ Grunberg, Bernard (1994). "The Origins of the Conquistadores of Mexico City". The Hispanic American Historical Review. 74 (2): 259–283. doi:10.2307/2517565. ISSN 0018-2168. JSTOR 2517565.
  3. ^ Fernando Ortiz (1987). Contrapunteo cubano del tabaco y el azúcar. Ayacuch. ISBN 978-98-027604-6-6.
  4. ^ a b Francesco Saverio Clavigero (1844). Historia antigua de México y de su conquista: sacada de los mejores historiadores españoles y de los manuscritos y pinturas antiguas de los indios : dividida en diez libros, adornada con mapas y estampas, e ilustrada con disertaciones sobre la tierra, los animales y los habitantes de México, Volumen 2. Lara. Hiciéronse célebres en estas entradas algunas mugeres españolas que acompañaron voluntariamente á sus maridos, y que con los continuos males que sufrían, y con los ejemplos de valor que tenían siempre á la vista, habían llegado a ser buenos soldados. Hacían la guardia, marchaban con sus maridos, armadas de corazas de algodón, espada y rodela, y se arrojaban intrépidamente á los enemigos, aumentando, no obstante su sexo, el número de los sitiadores. [...] Estas mugeres se llamaban Maria de Estrada, Beatriz Bermúdez de Velasco, Juana Martín, Isabel Rodríguez y Beatriz Palacios.
  5. ^ Óscar Flores Torres (2003). Historiadores de México Siglo XIX. Linterna Mágica. ISBN 978-96-824669-8-4.
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