Narrative and Critical History of America, Vol. 2 (of 8)

This volume offers a meticulous look at the documentary backbone of early Spanish‑American history. Beginning with Herrera’s pioneering use of archival material in the early 1600s, it follows the growth of Spain’s official collections—from the Simancas depot ordered by Charles V to the later consolidation in Seville and Madrid. The narrative explains how political upheavals, such as Napoleon’s raids, reshaped these repositories and why many original sources remained hidden from scholars for centuries.

The author also profiles the scholars who dared to probe these archives, from Dr. Robertson’s reluctant access through diplomatic channels to Muñoz’s ambitious, though unfinished, compendium of New World documents. By tracing the evolution of archival policies and the painstaking efforts to copy and preserve records, the book reveals the complex interplay between politics, scholarship, and the very survival of early colonial evidence. Listeners will gain a clear sense of how the foundations of American historiography were built on fragile, often contested, paper trails.