Resumo

NAVA SANCHEZ, Alfredo. The limits of biography in New Spain. Three biographies of Hernán Cortés and a Relationship of merits and services as biografema. Tzintzun. Rev. estud. históricos [online]. 2018, n.67, pp.9-40.  Epub 17-Mar-2020. ISSN 2007-963X.

This paper seeks to highlight the limits and contingencies involving the re-search behind the historical biographies centered in New Spain. To do this, the characteristics of the materials available are highlighted, considerations around them and, as far as possible, their place in the society of the time. As a way of illustration, the text focuses, first, on a review of the contemporary biography in the context novohispano, particularly three studies about Her-nán Cortés. Second, studies the “relación de méritos y servicios”, one of the most recurrent materials in the production of these biographies.

Palavras-chave : Biography; Historiography on New Spain; Relations of merits and services; Anachronism.