Podcast Summary: "The Maya and the Inquisition"
Not Just the Tudors by History Hit
Release Date: May 8, 2025
Host: Professor Susannah Lipscomb
Guest: Dr. Amy Fuller, Lecturer in the History of the Americas at Nottingham Trent University
Transcript Timeframe: [02:37] – [52:57]

Introduction

In the episode titled "The Maya and the Inquisition," Professor Susannah Lipscomb delves into the intricate and often dark history of the Maya civilization, particularly focusing on the devastating impact of Diego de Landa's Inquisition in the Yucatan Peninsula. Joined by Dr. Amy Fuller, an expert in early modern histories of Spain and Mexico, the discussion unpacks the cultural erasure and human suffering inflicted upon the Maya during the Spanish conquest.

Diego de Landa: The Man Behind the Inquisition

[05:56] – [06:10]

Professor Lipscomb introduces Diego de Landa, a Franciscan friar born in 1524 in Cifuentes, Spain. Coming from a noble lineage, Landa was well-educated and joined the Observant wing of the Franciscan Order at the age of 16. This militant group was fervently committed to the conversion of indigenous peoples, believing it played a crucial role in the anticipated second coming of Christ. Landa's mission to the Yucatan was part of this broader objective to convert the Maya to Christianity.

The Maya Civilization: Achievements and Resilience

[08:46] – [10:41]

Dr. Fuller provides an overview of the Maya civilization, highlighting their advanced understanding of time, mathematics, and astronomy. The Maya developed a complex calendar system with interlocking cycles, enabling them to predict eclipses with remarkable accuracy—“only 7 minutes of error over 32 years” ([09:01]).

In addition to their astronomical prowess, the Maya excelled in engineering and agriculture. They adapted ingeniously to their diverse environments across the Pacific coast, southern Mexico, Guatemala, and the Yucatan Peninsula. Their cities featured sophisticated irrigation systems and large reservoirs to manage water resources, particularly in response to droughts experienced during the Classic Maya period around the 9th century. Dr. Fuller notes, “there are so many cities still covered by jungle” ([10:46]), suggesting that ongoing excavations continue to reshape our understanding of Maya society.

Religious Practices and Cultural Identity

[15:00] – [17:55]

Religion was deeply intertwined with daily life for the Maya. Dr. Fuller explains that every act had a religious dimension aimed at maintaining societal balance. Temples were perceived as sacred mountains, and natural elements held spiritual significance: “every piece of the natural world has a sacred element to it” ([15:13]).

Rituals and sacrifices played a central role in Maya religious practice. Contrary to earlier beliefs conflated with Aztec practices, Maya sacrifices included “auto sacrifice,” where rulers performed self-harm to display their connection with the divine. Dr. Fuller clarifies, “Autosacrifice, by which you mean that they sacrifice themselves? Yes” ([17:50], [17:55]). These acts were meant to appease the gods, but accounts of these practices are largely derived from Diego de Landa’s flawed and biased observations.

The 1562 Auto Da Fe: A Turning Point

[21:02] – [26:40]

The discussion turns to the notorious 1562 Auto Da Fe orchestrated by Landa. In May 1562, Landa initiated a crackdown after two Maya youths reportedly discovered idols and skulls in a cave. This led to the arrest and brutal interrogation of thousands of Maya individuals. Dr. Fuller recounts the horrors: “They were strung up by their wrists and they were hoisted up with big, huge stones tied to their feet” ([21:50]), resulting in the torture and death of at least 158 people.

Landa’s Inquisition was marked by ruthless efficiency and manipulation. He justified his actions by asserting the urgency of eradicating idolatry, stating, “if they had proceeded according to the law... it would have taken 20 years” ([28:21]). Despite initial support, growing resistance and the arrival of Bishop Tyrell led to increased scrutiny of Landa's methods.

Destruction of Maya Knowledge and Cultural Suppression

[29:50] – [35:41]

The Auto Da Fe had catastrophic effects on Maya culture and knowledge. Approximately 5,000 idols and at least 27 hieroglyphic rolls were destroyed, leading to irreversible loss of historical records. Dr. Fuller emphasizes, “there are so many cities still covered by jungle” which implies that much of Maya history remains hidden and yet to be discovered.

Landa’s own writings, once considered a key to understanding Maya script through his attempted syllabary, are now seen as heavily biased and corrupted. “He probably didn't write a lot of it himself either” ([32:13]), combining information from various sources to justify the Spanish conquest. This manipulation has necessitated significant efforts by modern scholars to disentangle authentic Maya culture from Landa’s distorted accounts.

Diego de Landa's Downfall and Legacy

[36:05] – [44:51]

Despite initial support from Spanish authorities, Landa faced opposition after atrocities in the Yucatan were exposed. Bishop Tyrell's investigation led to Landa being challenged for his extreme methods. However, Landa’s manipulative prowess saw him presenting fabricated evidence to defend his actions, ultimately returning to Spain where he successfully justified his conduct to the Council of the Indies by May 1565.

Landa’s relentless ambition saw him named Bishop of the Yucatan in 1573, returning with handpicked friars to continue his mission. His legacy is marred by “a brutal torture and execution” regime and the systemic destruction of Maya cultural artifacts, which Dr. Fuller describes as “incomparable” in terms of damage ([37:43]).

Evaluating Diego de Landa's Character and Impact

[47:33] – [50:16]

Dr. Fuller provides a critical assessment of Landa, portraying him as “incredibly intelligent, but just so ambitious and self-centered” ([48:14]). His actions reflect a blend of zealotry and vindictiveness, evident in his manipulation of events and people to maintain his authority and suppress Maya culture.

The repercussions of Landa's actions are profound. His biased and destructive approach has significantly skewed historical understanding of the Maya. Dr. Fuller asserts, “Landa's actions and the writings that he left have had a massive impact in terms of what we thought we knew about the Maya” ([50:16]). Modern scholarship has had to work diligently to correct Landa’s distortions, highlighting the resilience of Maya civilization despite such historical atrocities.

The Future of Maya Studies and Cultural Revival

[51:49] – [52:30]

Despite the extensive damage caused by Landa, recent archaeological discoveries continue to shed light on Maya civilization. Ongoing excavations are uncovering new evidence that challenges previous assumptions, suggesting that “the future on this one is very bright indeed” ([51:49]).

Moreover, the Maya themselves are actively involved in the preservation and revival of their heritage. As Dr. Fuller notes, “generations of Maya are now starting to learn their ancient language” ([52:30]), ensuring that their rich cultural legacy is not forgotten and continues to thrive.

Conclusion

The episode "The Maya and the Inquisition" provides a comprehensive exploration of Diego de Landa's role in the Spanish conquest of the Maya, highlighting the profound cultural and human losses inflicted during this period. Through Dr. Amy Fuller's expert insights, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the Maya civilization's complexities and the lasting impact of colonial aggression. The discussion underscores the importance of reevaluating historical narratives and recognizing the resilience of indigenous cultures in the face of systematic oppression.

Notable Quotes:

• Dr. Amy Fuller [09:01]: "They could predict eclipses, the works that have been deciphered have found that they were able to record and predict future eclipses accurate to with only 7 minutes of error over 32 years."

• Dr. Amy Fuller [15:13]: "Every act that is done is done in order to help society continue, and that in itself becomes a kind of religious act."

• Dr. Amy Fuller [17:55]: "Autosacrifice, by which you mean that they sacrifice themselves? Yes."

• Dr. Amy Fuller [28:35]: "He suggests that the matter is so pressing that he had no choice. He is incredibly manipulative."

• Dr. Amy Fuller [48:14]: "He seems to be obviously incredibly intelligent, but just so ambitious and so self-centered and also incredibly vindictive as well."

• Dr. Amy Fuller [50:16]: "Landa's actions and the writings that he left have had a massive impact in terms of what we thought we knew about the Maya."

Further Listening:

If you found this episode insightful, consider exploring other episodes of Not Just the Tudors that delve into the conquest of the Americas, myths surrounding figures like Hernán Cortés, the dark side of Sir Francis Drake, and the complexities of Christopher Columbus's legacy.

Produced by History Hit. For more episodes and original documentaries, visit HistoryHit.com/subscribe.