Constitution of the Cofradia del Santissimo Sacramento of Tula, Hidalgo, 1570

Resumen

The constitution and ordinances of the Cofradia del Santissimo Sacramento of Tula, Hidalgo is a fascinating document. The original manuscript is held in the Manuscripts Department of the Lilly Library of Indiana University. The piece was written in 1570 and presented to the provisor of the Archdiocese of Mexico, Dr. Esteban del Portillo, for ecclesiastical approval. The manuscript is incomplete, lacking several initial leaves. It has three major parts. The first, incomplete, part is the Spanish version oí the constitution and ordinances. It begins with the seventh paragraph, and continues to the end. Next follows the Nahuatl version, occupying seven pages. The last part of the manuscript contains the registry book of the sodality where the members and their dues paid were recorded. The last section, too, is in Nahuatl. The manuscript has forty-nine large leaves in all; each measures 21 by 30 cm. Thus the total amount of information contained in the manuscript is impressive. The registry book continues until 1730 and is an impressive document for the social history of the Indian community of Tula.