20 May 1521

Ignatius of Loyola is seriously wounded in the Battle of Pampeluna.

The Battle of Pampeluna, also known as the Siege of Pampeluna, took place in 1521 during the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. Pampeluna, located in present-day Mexico, was a stronghold of the Aztec Empire and was fiercely defended by its inhabitants against the Spanish conquistadors.

The Spanish expedition to conquer the Aztec Empire was led by Hernán Cortés, a Spanish conquistador. After landing in Mexico in 1519, Cortés and his forces established alliances with various indigenous groups who were enemies of the Aztecs. Over time, Cortés and his army advanced towards the Aztec capital, Tenochtitlan, encountering resistance along the way.

Pampeluna was a key city that stood in the path of the Spanish conquest. It was ruled by the Aztec ruler, Cuauhtémoc, who had fortified the city and prepared it for a siege. The Spanish army, accompanied by their indigenous allies, laid siege to Pampeluna in early 1521.

The siege lasted for several months and was characterized by intense fighting and resistance from the Aztec defenders. The Spanish forces, armed with superior weaponry and aided by indigenous allies who were disillusioned with Aztec rule, managed to breach the city’s defenses. The Aztecs fought fiercely, but they were eventually overwhelmed by the combined forces of the Spanish and their allies.

The fall of Pampeluna was a significant blow to the Aztec Empire. It weakened their defenses and allowed the Spanish to continue their advance towards Tenochtitlan. After the capture of Pampeluna, Cortés and his army proceeded to lay siege to Tenochtitlan, which fell in 1521, marking the end of the Aztec Empire.

The Battle of Pampeluna was a pivotal event in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire. It demonstrated the military superiority of the Spanish conquistadors and their ability to overcome well-fortified cities. The fall of Pampeluna and subsequent conquest of Tenochtitlan reshaped the political and cultural landscape of the region, leading to the establishment of Spanish colonial rule in Mexico.