Historical Overview Section

The pre-Columbian Tlaxcalan state developed roughly at the same time as another Nahua people, the Mexica, were building the vast Aztec Empire with its capital at Tenochtitlan. From the 14th century, these two nations were in near constant state of war. However, even though the Aztecs managed to build the largest empire in Mesoamerica, they never did conquer Tlaxcala. By the time the Spanish arrived in the 16th century, Tlaxcala was an independent enclave nearly completely surrounded by the Aztec Empire. This left Tlaxcala economically isolated, leaving it without goods such as cotton and salt. This and the constant warfare with the Mexica would give the Tlaxcalans reasons to ally with the Spanish

They allied with the Spanish, and when Cortés decided to go inland to Tenochtitlan, the Totonacas guided them to other subject peoples who would be willing to ally with them, including and especially the Tlaxcalans. However, after entering Tlaxcalan territory, the Spanish were met by a hostile Tlaxcalan force of 30,000. The Tlaxcalans fought the Spanish and their indigenous allies in a number of battles, with the Spanish inflicting heavy casualties on the Tlaxcalans despite their superior numbers. The Spaniards’ prowess in battle impressed the Tlaxcalan King Xīcohtēncatl Āxāyacatzin, who then not only allowed the Spanish to pass through his territory, but also invited them into the capital city of Tlaxcala.

Cortés stayed in the city of Tlaxcala for 20 days and forged an alliance with the Tlaxcalans to bring down Tenochtitlan. Cortes added 6,000 Tlaxcala warriors to his ranks and arrived to Tenochtitlan in November 1519. They were received by Emperor Moctezuma II, who understood the potential danger of a Spanish-Tlaxcalan alliance. Despite initial friendliness, intrigue and siege of the capital followed, with the Aztec backlash sending Cortes’ very wounded army limping back to Tlaxcalan territory.

The Tlaxcalan king gave the Spanish refuge but promised further assistance in the conquest of Tenochtitlan only under certain conditions including perpetual exemption from tribute of any sort, part of the spoils of war, and control of two provinces that bordered Tlaxcala. Cortés agreed. Cortes and the Tlaxcalans returned to Tenochtitlan in December 1520. After many battles, including street-by-street fighting in Tenochtitlan itself, the Aztec Empire fell in August 152

Using the army in ADLG

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User-contributed links about this army. Add links in this format:

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  • Texcala Army usage statistics from the ADLG ranking site

Army Lists

Sample army lists for this army
Brixham 2022
Strategist
1 Mounted Conquistadors Heavy knight impact Elite
2 Conquistador infantry Heavy swordsmen armour impact Elite
2 Crossbowmen Elite
4 Totomac levies Medium swordsmen ------
2 Chinantec levies Pikemen Mediocre
2 Conquistador handgunners Light infantry firearm Elite
==
Competent
1 Military Order Med Sw Impact Elite
2 Telpochittian Warriors Med Sw
2 Bowmen
1 Light Foot Bow
==
Competent
1 Military Order Med Sw Impact Elite
2 Telpochittian Warriors Med Sw
2 Bowmen
1 Light Foot Bow

Used at the 2022 Worlds in Italy with some success!
Competent
6 Mixed units ½ Medium swordsmen ½ Bowmen
==
Strategist
1 Mounted Conquistadors Heavy knight impact Elite
2 Conquistador infantry Heavy swordsmen armour impact Elite
2 Totonac levies Medium swordsmen ------
2 Chinantec levies Pikemen Mediocre
2 Conquistador handgunners Light infantry firearm Elite
==
Competent
4 Military Orders Medium swordsmen impact Elite
1 Telpochcalli Warriors Medium swordsmen ------
1 Bowmen Bowmen ------
2 Skirmishers Light infantry bow ------

List used as the basis for the https://fighting15s.com/product/awa005-tlaxcallan-adlg-army-pack/?v=79cba1185463!ADLG Army Pack sold by Fighting 15's
Competent Included
3 Military Orders Med Sw Impact Elite
4 Warriors Med Sw Atlatl
4 Skirmishers LF Bow
2 Warriors with Bow
==
Competent
4 Warriors Med Sw Atlatl
4 Skirmishers LF Bow
1 Warrior with Bow, pavise
1 Warrior with Bow
==
Competent
3 Warriors with Long Spears
2 Mixed units 1/2 Med Sw, 1/2 Bow

Daves List from the ADLG Podcast
Competent
3 military orders medium swordsmen 2HW elite
3 telpochcalli warriors Medium swordsmen atlatl ------
2 bowmen bowmen ------
2 bowmen bowmen mediocre
==
Competent
4 telpochcalli warriors Medium swordsmen atlatl
2 skirmishers with sling light infantry sling
4 replaced archers ½ Medium spearmen ½ Bowmen
==
Competent
4 telpochcalli warrioirs Medium swordsmen atlatl ------
1 bowmen bowmen mediocre


200 Points

  • 3 of these
  • 4 of these
  • etc
  • etc