The First New Chronicle and Good Government : On the history of the world and the Incas up to 1615

The First New Chronicle and Good Government

the first new chronicle and good government composed by Don Phelipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, lord and prince Holy Catholic Royal Majesty Your Holiness Ayala, prince THE KINGDOM OF THE INDIES five hundred ninety seven leaves—5979 folios One hundred forty six sheets—146 [8 pages per sheet equals a total of 1168 pages, first estimate] 0. Drawing 1. Guaman Poma, “the author Ayala,” kneeling alongside the king of Spain, before the Pope  The First New Chronicle and Good Government [0] Title page, drawing 1. The First New Chronicle and Good Government, composed by Don Phelipe Guaman Poma de Ayala [1] The First New Chronicle and Good Government of this kingdom, a book written and given a title by Phelipe Guaman Poma de Ayala This chronicle is very useful and beneficial; it will improve the life of Christians and pagans, help the Indians confess, improve their lives, correct their errors, idolatries and help the priests know how to take the confessions of the Indians. It will help the encomenderos or grantees of Indians, district officials, priests, curates of Indian parishes, miners, majorcaciques, lesser Indian chiefs, common Indians, Spaniards and common people.1 It is useful for the judicial process of residencies or judicial process and the general inspections of the tributary Indians and the general inspection of the Holy Mother Church, to learn new things, curb the souls and consciences of Christians. God warns us in the Divine Scriptures through the words of the Holy Prophet Jeremiah that we should do penitence and change to the Christian life; the prophet King David tells us in the psalm, “Domine Deus salutis meae” [Lord God of my salvation, Psalms 87:88] where he puts fear in us [about] abandonment by God, severe punishments that he will send us every day. The precursor Saint John the Baptist brought the warnings, whipping and punishments of God so that we would be curbed and reformed in this world.2 [2] Page 2, drawing 2. Holy Trinity: Inri [3] Holy Trinity God the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, one True God who created and redeemed men and the world and his mother, theVirgin Mary, and all the saints and angels of Heaven. Amen. Give me strength to write and take note of good examples. Let all good Christians learn, spread seed and plant so that it will produce good fruit and 2. Drawing 2. Holy Trinity: the coronation of the Virgin Mary as Queen of Heaven , .· ,.  The First New Chronicle and Good Government seed for the service of God Our Lord, and that sinners will refrain from evil, curb their tongues, hearts, souls and consciences. Let the Holy Spirit enlighten those who read it. Let all be advised, learn and understand that there is One True God, the Holy Trinity in Heaven and on this earth, True God. [4] Most Holy Father Pope Your holy highness, key to heaven and to the inferno, power of God in the world above all emperors and kings, celestial monarch: Open the gates for us with the key to heaven for glory and close the gates to the inferno; send us holy indulgences and pardons from your holiness; we implore you to concede this great gift for this Kingdom of Peru of the Indies. We humbly kiss your holy feet and hands, and we beg your Holy Catholic Church to give us authorization for the holy sacrament of priesthood; after all, your Holiness granted us all the other sacraments. For the holy service of God we depend on your Holiness. Along with this request, I serve you with this little work titled First New Chronicle and Good Government of this kingdom which is a service to God and your Holiness; please accept it and give me your blessing, which we request from this Kingdom of Peru of the Indies, from your humble vassal, Don Felipe Ayala, Author (signature flourish) May your holiness send us in your name a letter to your nuncio. We will receive it as a great gift and favor for our souls and health.3 [5] Letter from Don Martin Guaman Mallque de Ayala, son and grandson of great lords and kings of old, captain general and lord of the kingdom, capac apo which means prince, lord of the provinces of Lucana, Andamarca, Circamarca, Sora, the city of Huamanga [Ayacucho] and Santa Catalina de Chupas which is in its jurisdiction, prince of Chinchaysuyo, and...