Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography/Canek (prince)

CANEK, Yucatec prince of the royal family of Manú, founder of the Itza nation, flourished in the early part of the 15th century. He was one of the tributary princes that declared their independence of the old Yucatec or Maya monarchy nearly 100 years before the conquest of Mexico by the Spaniards. Canek did not separate from the old kingdom for political reasons; he fell in love with the betrothed of another prince, and, being unable to prevent her marriage by any other means, gathered some of his followers, attacked the wedding party during the ceremony, and carried away the bride. The disappointed bridegroom led a numerous army against Canek, who took refuge in the mountainous country between Chipas, Yucatan, and Guatamala, and there founded the Itza nation.