Luis Weckmann's "The Medieval Heritage of Mexico and New Spain" is the result of more than 30 years' intensive research. The book examines the medieval legacy that influences life in Spanish North America to the present day. Focusing on the period from the expedition of Hernandez de Cordoba in 1527 to the middle of the 17th century, Weckmann describes how administrators, judges and bishops introduced to the New World a culture that was essentially medieval. Supported by the documentation of hundreds of primary and secondary resources, he describes how this influence manifested itself in the many juridical, political, economic and especially ideological features of the day. Among the many sources consulted by the author were contemporary chronicles, missionary and other religious writings, laws and charters, "cabildo" acts, literary and artistic productions and even current survivals in speech, practices and beliefs. A wide range of scholars including medievalists, historians, art historians, linguists and others should find much of value in this work. The general reader should also find this book interesting.
The book's organization provides easy access to its vast wealth of material, as does an index that is keyed to both names and specific terms designated throughout the text. "The Medieval Heritage of Mexico and New Spain" is a starting point for all future studies dealing with the medieval influence in Spanish North America, which covered most of what is now the far west, southwest and southern United States.