Toward mid 16th century, edicts were being sent to New Spain from the authorities in Spain. Letters on diverse topics also were being sent back and forth. Both the edicts and the letters were read publicly in New Spain to educate the Mexica about Spanish law and custom and so on. In addition, to the letters and the edicts, religious autos were performed publicly in New Spain. For example Franciscan friar Motolinía enthusiastically sponsored relitious autos, adapted from European morality plays. The friars used the plays to graphically instruct the Mexica in European history, warfare, politics, morality, and religion. Enacted on feast days, they also mirrored the current political climate. An early play presented Mexica with a Spanish version of the conquest.

The Final Judgement

The Destruciton of Jerusalem