Maya Lords and Lordship: The Formation of Colonial Society in Yucatán, 1350–1600 by Sergio Quezada (review)
Several aspects of the book should be highlighted. First, as is widely known, the establishment of reducciones was carried out in the context of Toledo’s general inspection of the Peruvian viceroyalty, initiated in 1572. Previous attempts under Viceroys Cañete andNieva had failed. Toledo and his entourage were aware that the best way to attain effective results was not by force, but rather by enticing the participation of the Andean elites. The latter cooperated with the colonial authorities in exchange for preserving their authority as regidores and mayors in native villages.