Page "Cuauhtémoc" Paragraph 13

Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxóchitl, a Mestizo historian and descendant of Coanacoch, wrote an account of the executions in the 17th century partly based on Texcocan oral tradition.

According to Ixtlilxóchitl the three lords were joking cheerfully with each other, due to a rumor that Cortés had decided to return the expedition to Mexico, when Cortés asked a spy to tell him what they were talking about.

The spy reported honestly, but Cortés invented the plot himself.

Cuauhtémoc, Coanacoch and Tetlepanquetzal were all hanged, as well as eight others.

However, Cortés cut down Coanacoch, the last to be hanged, after his brother began rallying his warriors.

Coanacoch did not have long to enjoy his reprieve — Ixtlilxóchitl wrote that he died a few days later.