Thank you Gonzalo! Very good point on the inevitable changes that would take place through the profound diffusion of influences that not only that permeated and were dispersed through the vast colonial spheres of Spain, but later of Mexico as it became an independant Republic.
Just as with all features of material culture including weapons, the original styles would have carried contemporary fashion and presence, while the nuances of other influences would imbue them progressively as time went on.
I think one of our greatest challenges in studying ethnographic weapons is to try to learn from the weapons themselves as they reveal these to us and help us see the actual history they have seen. Our task is virtually always to try to establish date and period so we can see these changes that often occur so subtly and sometimes vary by region as well.
Chris, thank you so much for those kind words, and I have been compelled to write on this as well, as California is as close as I have to having a true heritage of my own. I have expressed this before as I have discussed my deep passion for these collective facets of the distinct culture in the place where I spent my formitive years. You are indeed a Californio, and of proud Spanish descent, and Gonzalo is an extremely proud Mexican National. I hope those interpretations are expressed correctly, as I address them with my great admiration.
In truth, I wish I had such distinct and proud lineage, and though I was not born in California, I think of myself as Californian. Many of my brothers and sisters in law and my nieces and nephews are of Mexican American heritage, with profound ancestry from Mexico, and I have always been extremely proud of that fact as well, as to me it adds to the deep cultural texture that makes up our very multicultural family.
You have extremely well pointed out the nature of the progression of these cultures in the frontier context. When Mexico gained its independence in 1821, there was indeed no expulsion of Spaniards, nor otherwise dramatic change of any kind externally, the only thing that changed was the shift in political power. It was entirely a frontier culture in which there were various degrees of heritage, whether Peninsular or Mestizo as well as Native American ancestries. California had always considered itself a separate entity from Spain or Mexico, just as you have noted.
The history of Spain, the Spanish Southwest, Mexico and California are all rich parts of American history itself, and in my opinion have typically never received the attention they deserve in the studies of our history. Perhaps this is because there is too much potential for difficulties because of the very obvious volatility involved in perceptions of so many events and situations.
My best hope is for our learning and understanding of these important histories from an entirely objective point of view, and that eventually we can establish a clear and well presented record of all aspects of them.
I believe that one avenue of accomplishing such understanding is through the study of these important weapons and all forms of armor and accoutrements from these frontiers. In that, I hope we can continue the focus on the study of these beautiful spurs and bring in other examples of the weapons as well.
Yes, the espada ancha, and the fascination in all of these wonderfully historical weapons does bring us all together!
All the very best,
Jim
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