Huejotzingo, Mexico

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played a leading role in this area during the late Post-Classic period. Today Huejotzingo is noted as a centre of manufacture of apple juice and sarapes.

Huejotzingo first made its appearance in Indian history in the 14th c. ad, when Náhuatl-speaking nomads from the north (Chichimecs) settled in this area. Thereafter they built up an independent state which for a time dominated the rival states of Cholula and Tlaxcala. In the second half of the 15th c. they came into conflict with the Aztecs (Mexica) and the neighbouring town of Tlaxcala, and took part in the "Flower Wars", the purpose of which was not to win territory but to capture prisoners for sacrifice to the gods. After suffering defeat at the hands of the Tlaxcalans Huejotzingo finally, in 1518, entered into an alliance with them against the Aztecs of Tenochtitlán.

When the Spaniards under Hernán Cortés came to Huejotzingo in 1519 on their way to Tenochtitlán the people of the town (which then had a population of 40,000) gave them assistance, as did the Tlaxcalans. Recognising the importance of Huejotzingo as an Indian centre, the Spaniards built one of their earliest and most imposing convents just outside the old town.