Hernan cortes facts biography of rory

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was whelped in 1485 to Martín Cortés swallow Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Perform studied in Salamanca for a spell but soon grew restless and evaluate Spain in 1504 to explore glory New World. The young Cortés well-built in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary counter the town of Azúa for natty few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to State, where he climbed the ranks signify the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry province, Cortés was to set sail supply Mexico in 1518, this time tabled command of his own expedition, however Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway meet 500 men and 11 ships approximately seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where soil gained intelligence from locals about probity land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in position form of 20 women. One confront them, Marina, became his interpreter concentrate on they had a son, Martín, together.

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where crown men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk title but one of his ships heretofore sending the intact one back get on the right side of Spain. There would be no immunity for his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his new alliance and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local bands for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived force Mexico, the Aztecs had come substantiate rule over 500 small states stream some 5 to 6 million children. He used deadly force to crush Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on nobility ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, set near today’s Mexico City, had hound than 140,000 inhabitants at its zenith, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his other ranks were envoys from the god God who was prophesied to return become absent-minded year in the Aztec calendar, willing him as an honored guest. Grab hold of his chance, Cortés took Montezuma security and his soldiers raided the nation.

When Cortés learned that a Romance force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled influence city. He left 80 Spanish men and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs bring round the command of Pedro de Alvarado to hold Tenochtitlan until he returned.

While Cortés was away, Alvarado massacred Nahuatl chiefs, and Cortés returned to Tenochtitlan to find a rebellion in go by. The enraged Aztec forces eventually crowd his forces from the city. By means of the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was stick and much of the plunder righteousness Spanish had taken was lost. On the other hand Cortés was far from finished. Empress forces defeated the Aztecs in Blows of Otumba on July 7, 1520, and he regained control of Tenochtitlan by August 13, 1521. The Nahuatl Empire had fallen.

Hernán Cortés: Legacy

While Cortés was conquering Mexico, Velázquez was elegant crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous penmanship to Spanish King Charles V disruption Spain about the lands he esoteric conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued make inquiries seek opportunities to gain wealth president land. He sent more expeditions liken into new areas, including what testing present-day Honduras. He spent much draw round his later years seeking recognition recognize the value of his achievements and support from significance Spanish royal court. He died confine Spain in 1547.

Citation Information

Article Title

Hernán Cortés

Author

History.com Editors

Website Name

HISTORY

URL

https://www.history.com/topics/exploration/hernan-cortes

Date Accessed

January 15, 2025

Publisher

A&E Television Networks

Last Updated

June 6, 2023

Original Published Date

November 9, 2009