Lempira (Lenca ruler) Honduran historian Mario Felipe Martínez Castillo discovered a very different account of Lempira in a document entitled "Méritos y Servicios: Rodrigo Ruiz, Nueva España", written in 1558 in Mexico City. The manuscript is located in the Archivo General de Indias in Seville, Spain. That document, Patronato 69 R.5, tells the story of Rodrigo Ruiz and his service in the conquest of Honduras under Francisco Montejo. It includes his account of killing Lempira. The document is in the form of a series of questions, answered by witnesses to the services which Rodrigo Ruiz gave to the Spanish King. It is his
History of Honduras (to 1838) labor. The enforced labor, however, led to renewed resistance by the native people that culminated in a major uprising in 1537. The leader of the uprising was a capable young Lenca chieftain known as Lempira (after whom the Honduran national monetary unit would eventually be named). Lempira established his base on a fortified hill known as the Peñol de Cerquín and until 1538 successfully defeated all efforts to subdue him. Inspired by his examples, other native inhabitants began revolting, and the entire district of Higueras seemed imperiled. Lempira was ultimately murdered while negotiating with the Spaniards. After his death, resistance