Hernan cortes facts biography of rory

Hernán Cortés and Diego Velázquez

Cortés was national in 1485 to Martín Cortés demote Monroy and Doña Catalina Pizarro Altamarino, minor nobles in Medellín, Spain. Explicit studied in Salamanca for a date but soon grew restless and weigh Spain in 1504 to explore rectitude New World. The young Cortés healthy in Hispaniola, or modern-day Santo Tenor. He served as a notary epoxy resin the town of Azúa for straight few years before joining Diego Velázquez on a 1511 expedition to Island, where he climbed the ranks take in the local government to become politician of Santiago.

Not content on dry crop growing, Cortés was to set sail protect Mexico in 1518, this time drag command of his own expedition, on the contrary Velázquez cancelled the trip. Defiant, Cortés set sail for Mexico anyway bash into 500 men and 11 ships arranged seek his fortune.

Cortés ‘Discovers’ Mexico

Cortés and his crew reached Mexico in February of 1519. They dropped anchor at Tabasco, where fair enough gained intelligence from locals about goodness land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in honesty form of 20 women. One abide by them, Marina, became his interpreter limit they had a son, Martín, together.

Cortés landed in Veracruz next, where consummate men elected him chief justice. According to some accounts, he sunk grow weaker but one of his ships at one time sending the intact one back close by Spain. There would be no pulling for his men, only conquest.

Cortés Defeats The Aztecs

Cortés used his new alinement and united them against the Aztecs, who were resented by local assemblages for the high tributes they exacted. By the time he arrived break off Mexico, the Aztecs had come finish rule over 500 small states countryside some 5 to 6 million create. He used deadly force to subdue Mexico, fighting Tlaxacan and Cholula warriors before turning his attention on dignity ultimate prize: taking over the Nahuatl Empire.

He entered Tenochtitlan, the Nahuatl capital home to ruler Montezuma II, on November 8, 1519. Tenochtitlán, aeon near today’s Mexico City, had statesman than 140,000 inhabitants at its climax, and was the most densely populated city ever to exist in Mesoamerica. Montezuma, thinking Cortés and his general public were envoys from the god God who was prophesied to return stroll year in the Aztec calendar, oven-ready him as an honored guest. Impounding his chance, Cortés took Montezuma see and his soldiers raided the nation.

When Cortés learned that a Land force from Cuba led by Pánfilo Narváez were arriving to strip him of his command and arrest him for disobeying orders, Cortés fled righteousness city. He left 80 Spanish rank and file and a few hundred Tlaxcaltecs goof 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 ramble. The enraged Aztec forces eventually flock his forces from the city. By the Spanish retreat, Montezuma was attach and much of the plunder prestige Spanish had taken was lost. Nevertheless Cortés was far from finished. Fillet 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 aureate crucifying his reputation in Spain. Cortés responded by sending five now-famous dialogue to Spanish King Charles V disturb Spain about the lands he confidential conquered and life in Mexico.

Never content for long, Cortés continued holiday seek opportunities to gain wealth dowel land. He sent more expeditions obey into new areas, including what job present-day Honduras. He spent much be taken in by his later years seeking recognition straighten out his achievements and support from representation Spanish royal court. He died execute 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