Who was Hernán Cortés? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Hernando Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano

Died At Age: 62

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Catalina Suárez Marcaida, Juana Ramírez de Arellano de Zúñiga

father: Martín Cortés de Monroy

mother: Catalina Pizarro Altamirano

children: 2nd Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, Catalina Cortés de Zúñiga, Catalina Pizarro, Juana Cortés de Zúñiga, Leonor Cortés Moctezuma, Luis Cortés, Luis Cortés y Ramírez de Arellano, María Cortés de Moctezuma, María Cortés de Zúñiga, Martín Cortés

Born Country: Spain

Soldiers Explorers

Died on: December 2, 1547

place of death: Castilleja de la Cuesta, Spain

Cause of Death: Pleurisy

discoveries/inventions: Chocolate

Recommended For You

1

What was Hernán Cortés' role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire?

Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire in present-day Mexico.
2

How did Hernán Cortés establish the city of Veracruz?

Hernán Cortés founded the city of Veracruz as a strategic port for his expeditions in the New World in the early 16th century.
3

What was the significance of the meeting between Hernán Cortés and the Aztec Emperor Montezuma II?

The encounter between Hernán Cortés and Montezuma II marked the beginning of the downfall of the Aztec Empire, leading to the eventual conquest of Tenochtitlán.
4

How did Hernán Cortés deal with opposition from his own men during the conquest of the Aztecs?

Cortés displayed strong leadership skills by quelling rebellions within his own ranks and maintaining control over his soldiers during the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
5

What impact did Hernán Cortés' conquest of the Aztec Empire have on the indigenous populations of Mesoamerica?

The conquest led by Cortés resulted in drastic changes for the indigenous populations of Mesoamerica, including the spread of disease, forced labor, and the imposition of Spanish colonial rule.

Recommended Lists:

Childhood & Early Life

Hernan Cortes de Monroy y Pizarro was born in 1485 in Medellin, western Spain, to infantry captain Martin Cortes de Monroy and Catalina Pizarro Altamirano.

At the age of 14, he was sent to the University of Salamanca to study Latin and make a career in law. However, he returned back two years later in 1501, due to lack of interest in studies.

Being adventurous, he boarded the ship commanded by Alonso Quintero heading to Hispaniola, in 1504, where he was received by Governor Nicolas de Ovando upon reaching the capital city, Santo Domingo.

He was given a small encomienda by Ovando and served as the notary of Azua de Compostela town. For the next five years, he learnt the workings of the colony and established himself in the settlement, making several allies.

Continue Reading Below

Career

In 1511, Hernán Cortés joined the expedition of Cuba under Diego Velasquez as a secretary rather than a soldier. He was recruited in the civil government and made a secretary of Velasquez, who became Governor of Cuba.

He enjoyed promotions and senior positions in Santiago—the second largest city of Cuba—becoming municipal magistrate twice. He also served as the mayor Santiago for a while.

In 1518, just before he was about to set sail for an expedition to Mexico, Velasquez canceled the commission; however, he ignored the orders and proceeded with 500 men, 11 vessels, 13 horses and some cannons.

He reached the Mayan territory on the Mexican coast in February 1519 and befriended some natives, while fighting others to conquer Mexico.

He headed towards Tabasco and won the battle against the natives, in March 1519. Soon after, he set his eyes on Tenochitilan, the Aztec capital, to overthrow its ruler, Montezuma II, and took him hostage a few months later.

The Spanish colonists established a New Spain, naming it Mexico City, which served as the centre of Spanish America, with Cortes being made the governor, captain general and chief justice, in 1523, by King Charles I of Spain.

His position and authority faced several challenges with his archenemies plotting against him. However, through his appeal to King Charles, he managed to keep his enemies at bay without getting involved in a war.

He secured various opportunities to explore new areas in search of wealth and land, including his expedition to Honduras in 1524 defeating Cristobal de Olid, who was ruling Honduras under the orders of Velasquez.

On returning to Mexico, he lost his position and traveled to Spain in 1528 to appeal justice from King Charles. Although he was not re-appointed governor, he was reinstated as captain general.

Continue Reading Below

Despite diminished authority, Hernán Cortés went back to Mexico in 1530 to continue his conquests through his military power. Since civil affairs was handled by a new viceroy, the division of powers led to failure of many of his expeditions.

In 1541, he traveled back to Spain, where he was ignored and received a cold welcome from King Charles. On his last expedition, he accompanied Charles to Algiers and fell into neglect upon his return.

Major Works

Hernán Cortés was instrumental in the fall of Aztec Empire and in bringing large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of Spain..

In 1536, he set out to explore Central America in search of a gulf leading to the Pacific from the Atlantic. While he didn’t find any strait, he discovered the peninsula of Baja California.

Awards & Achievements

Hernán Cortés was honored with a crown bearing the coat of arms by King Charles, in 1525, as a mark of his successful conquest of Mexico.

In 1529, he was conferred upon the designation of ‘don’ and was given the noble title of ‘Marques del Valle de Oaxaca’ (or Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca).

Personal Life & Legacy

Hernán Cortés befriended Governor Velasquez’s sister-in-law, Catalina Xuarez Marcaida and love blossomed between the two. He married her in 1518 with the intention of acquiring her as well as Velasquez’s wealth. The marriage ended with Catalina’s mysterious death in New Mexico, in 1522.

His second marriage to Spanish nobelwoman, Dona Juana Ramirez de Arellano de Zuniga, in 1529 resulted in four offspring – son Don Martin Cortes y Zuniga and daughters Dona Maria, Dona Catalina and Dona Juana.

Upon his arrival in Seville while traveling back to Mexico in 1547, he fell ill with dysentery and died on December 2, 1547 due to pleurisy, in Castilleja de la Cuesta, at the age of 62.

Facts About Hernán Cortés

Hernán Cortés was known for his love of poetry and was said to be a talented poet himself, often composing verses in his spare time.

Cortés had a pet monkey that he brought with him on his expeditions, which served as a source of entertainment and companionship for him and his men.

Despite being a formidable military leader, Cortés was also known for his diplomatic skills and ability to negotiate with indigenous leaders, often forming alliances that helped him achieve his goals.

Cortés had a deep appreciation for the arts and culture of the indigenous peoples he encountered, collecting and preserving many artifacts that would later contribute to our understanding of Mesoamerican history.

Cortés was known for his adventurous spirit and willingness to take risks, a trait that helped him achieve great success in his conquest of the Aztec Empire.

Hernán Cortés Biography

You wanted to know

What was Hernán Cortés' role in the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire?

How did Hernán Cortés establish the city of Veracruz?

What was the significance of the meeting between Hernán Cortés and the Aztec Emperor Montezuma II?

How did Hernán Cortés deal with opposition from his own men during the conquest of the Aztecs?

What impact did Hernán Cortés' conquest of the Aztec Empire have on the indigenous populations of Mesoamerica?