There is a sword claimed to be that of Hernan Cortes, used during the Conquest of Mexico. It currently sits in the Real Armeria de Madrid (royal armory) in Madrid, Spain. It is a rapier, meaning it is a long, slender sword with a decorative protected hilt.
While many famous swords are made of the legendary Toledo steel, there is speculation the Cortes sword is from the German competitor, Solingen steel. Based on a “Wolf mark” that may link it to Solingen.
Both Toledo and Solingen had superior steel recipes and stellar reputations for craftsmanship.
If this sword were used during the Conquest of Mexico, it’s hard to imagine the tragedy it inflicted on the people of Mexico. This one sword is responsible for the deaths of many Indigenous people and could be considered one of the cruelest relics of the colonization of the Americas. This sword would have been wielded against the Chontal Maya at the Battle of Cintla as Cortes led the cavalry. It would have been present at the Cholula Massacre where Cortes and his men hacked away at unarmed nobles and porters. And it would certainly have been present at the battles in Tlaxcala and the horrors of Tenochtitlan.
Perhaps that’s why the Real Armeria doesn’t publicize this artefact. I was not able to find any supporting information on the provenance of this sword.
Sword attributed to Hernan Cortes, hosted at the Real Armeria de Madrid in Spain.Catalogue information for the sword attributed to Hernan Cortes.
When the Spanish first made contact with Aztec (Triple Alliance) representatives on the coast near San Juan de Ulua a regional administrator named Pinotl was a key figure. In 1518 Juan Grijalva arrived in the area and was quickly in contact with Pinotl and several other local headmen. Depending on the source, Tentlil (Tendile, Teudilli) and Cuitlalpitoc were also there with Grijalva. It’s also possible that “Pinotl” is the title of the regional leader.
Wanting to see the strangers for himself, Pinotl and others crept close to the shore and saw the ships and several smaller skiffs with men fishing. Eventually the small entourage met with Grijalva and exchanged gifts.
An Indigenous spy, possibly Pinotl, observes the arrival of a Spanish ship on the Mexican coast, 1579 (vellum) by Duran, Diego (16th century); Biblioteca Nacional, Madrid, Spain; (Codex Duran, Historia De Las Indias).
A year later when Cortes came to San Juan de Ulua it was Tentlil, according to various sources, that handled the negotiation and presenting Cortes with the treasure. Pinotl’s involvement in the Conquest was over and seems to have been limited to the Grijalva meeting. In the Cronica Mexicayotl, by the Mestizo chronicler Tezozomoc, we get a few more tidbits about his role as a key Aztec ally on the Coast.
He is mentioned by various names, including Pinotzin, Pinotl, Pinoteuctli and Pinotecuhtli. Pinotl is referenced by name in the Florentine Codex, Annals of Quauhtitlan. His position “Governor of Cuetlaxtlan” is mentioned by Bernal Diaz in his version of the Grijalva expedition.
Annals of Quauhtitlan – Leader of the Cuetlaxtlan people. Cuetlaxtecatl Pinotl, Pinotl. In this brief text Pinotl is seen to acknowledge the arrival of the Spanish and to have taken gifts to them, as well as receiving gifts for Moctezuma.
Florentine Codex – Calpisqui of Cuextecatl, and referred to as Pinotl. In this representation Pinotl is one of five local leaders who goes to the coast to see Grijalva’s ships.
Cronica Mexicayotl – Referred to as Pinoteuctli and Pinotetl in Tezozomoc’s Cronica. In Chapter 34 he is mentioned collecting tribute from towns. In another mention in Chapter 42, Pinotetl seems to be the guy that needs to be contacted to arrange for visits and supplies in Huastepec. In Chapter 108 he is depicted in the Grijalva landing.
Andres de Tapia was a Spanish conquistador under the command of Hernan Cortes during the Conquest of Mexico. Like many of the Spanish conquistadors he was born in Estremadura, Spain. While at Cozumel, Tapia was the first man to spot the lost Spaniard who had lived among the Maya.
Image of Tapia from the Manuscript of the Dogging.
He wrote an account of the Conquest with the catchy title of RELACIÓN DE ALGUNAS COSAS DE LAS QUE ACAECIERON AL MUY ILUSTRE SEÑOR DON HERNANDO CORTÉS, MARQUÉS DEL VALLE, DESDE QUE SE DETERMINÓ A IR A DESCUBRIR TIERRA EN LA TIERRA FIRME DEL MAR OCÉANO, or in English, A RELATION OF CERTAIN THINGS OF WHICH THE ILLUSTRIOUS DON HERNAN CORTES, MARQUES OF THE VALLEY, SINCE HE DETERMINED TO DISCOVER LAND ON ‘TIERRA FIRME’ OF THE OCEAN SEA. It was simply called Relacion de Algunas Cosas by most people.
The only English translation I know of is The Conquistadors, First-person Accounts of the Conquest of Mexico, which includes a translation by Patricia de Fuentes. It can be found in libraries, maybe on big book or academic retailers.
The original text is comprised of massive run-on sentences, overly formal language that lands as uneducated, compared to the later accounts by Gomara and Bernal Diaz. While their accounts may be based on his, Tapia’s version was not published until 300 years after the events.
Having read Diaz and Gomara first, it seems plausible, from what I’ve read so far of Tapia. Others are sure of it, having identified copied text in Gomara’s effort. Since Diaz was, in part, rebutting Gomara’s account it would also have been shaped by Tapia’s.
“On this island it was understood by signs, or we understood as best we could, that on the mainland that stood off the island there were men with beards like us, up to three or four. The Marquis of the Valley gave certain jewels and things of [rescate] that he brought, to an Indian because he carried a letter to those Christians, and with this Indian he sent a brig and four boats and a captain; and because the Indian said they were near the coast of the sea he wrote to them in the letter that the boats would wait for them for five days, and no more; and with this they left the brigantine and boats, and they were eight days, and the Indian who brought the letter returned to our people, and made signs that they did not want to come, and so they all returned to that island. And then the Marquis had all his people boarded, and embarked and signaled that all made sail, and so they did, and suddenly the wind became so contrary, that it was necessary to take the port, without being able to do anything else, and returned to disembark.”
Translation of de Tapia’s description of the Battle of Cintla by Patricia de Fuentes:
“The marques and all his men heard mass and went out against them. Since the land is crossed with canals, and there are deep estuaries along the route we were to take, the marques, with ten of the thirteen horses he had, went along the left of the estuary to see where he could find cover of trees from which to attack the enemy from the rear or the flank. The foot soldiers headed straight forward over the canals, and as the Indians knew the terrain and are more nimble than the Spaniards, they crossed over quickly, and from the other side shot many arrows and spears at us, and stones from slings. Although we killed some of them with certain field pieces we had, and with the crossbows, they did us much damage because they were so numerous. We found ourselves in great danger and were out of touch with the marques, for with so many dangerous crossings he had not found the way to reach the enemy.
Just as the Indians had us foot soldiers surrounded on all sides, there appeared at their rear a man on a dapple-gray horse, and the Indians began to flee and leave us alone for a while, thanks to the damage the rider was doing them. We, thinking it was the marques, rallied ourselves and killed some of the enemy, but the horse did not appear again for the moment. Turning back on us again, the enemy began to abuse us as before, and again the horseman appeared and attacked them, closer to us this time so that we all saw him. Once more we charged and the horse disappeared as before. And still he came again, which made three times that he appeared and that we saw him, believing him to be one of the marques company.
The marques and his nine horsemen returned to our rear and told us how they had been able to cross over to us. We told him how we had seen one of the horsemen and he said: “Onward companions, for God is with us.” Once he was out of the canals he charged into the enemy, the foot soldiers behind him, and in this way we routed them. Many were killed and the rest fled to take refuge in the impassable parts of the canals.”
At the time of the Aztec Conquest Pedro de Alvarado was a young Captain appointed by Cortes. He went on to conquer much of Central America and became one of the most well known Conquistadors. Before his participation in the Mexican campaign he had been on the Grijalva expedition to Mexico and helped destroy the native population of Cuba.
Actions with the Cortes Expedition:
Joined expedition in Trinidad with his brothers.
In Cuba, led the men overland to Havana.
Chosen as Commander of Expeditions in Vera Cruz.
Returned from Grijalba expedition with word of gold, riches.
Was put in charge of force at Cempoala after Cortés left to deal with Spanish arrivals.
Given daughter of Xicotencatl in Tlaxcala, Dona Luisa.
Was sent to Tenochtitlan, but was turned back either due to illness or Moctezuma’s orders. Was described by Mexica to Moctezuma as handsome and given the name Tonatio, or son of the sun.
Horse – Sorrel Mare, well trained.
Was selected to go visit Moctezuma on Day 2 in Tenichtitlan (Diaz p 221)
Went to seize Moctezuma in his quarters (Diaz 245)
Given daughter of Xicotencatl in Tlaxcala, Dona Luisa.
Was sent to Tenochtitlan, but was turned back either due to illness or Moctezuma’s orders. Was described by Mexica to Moctezuma as handsome and given the name Tonatio, or son of the sun.
Horse – Sorrel Mare, well trained.
Was selected to go visit Moctezuma on Day 2 in Tenichtitlan (Diaz p 221)
Went to seize Moctezuma in his quarters (Diaz 245)
Coat of Arms awarded to Hernán Cortés by Charles V
Hernán Cortés was a Spanish Conquistador who took part in the conquest of the New World. Most famous for the destruction of the Aztec Empire in Mexico. Cortés also took part in violent campaigns against the Indigenous peoples of Cuba and Haiti.
Born in 1485 in the small town of Medellin, Spain in a harsh quarter of the country called Extremadura, which means furthest hard place, or outermost hard place. And it is that, a hard place that spat out some of the most brutal men in history, including Cortés and his relative Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of the Inca.
Through his own bold and shrewd decision making, Cortés managed to exploit, fight, escape and charm his way through Mexico to the capital of the Empire, Tenochtitlan. After tense negotiations Cortés attained control of the emperor Moctezuma, until revolt led to a harrowing escape for Cortés and his men. Eventually, the Spanish laid siege to the already ruined city and disease continued to work the Indigenous population. Cortés had won and began to rebuild Tenochtitlan into a European-style city called Mexico City.
Parents: Martin Cortés de Monroy and Dona Catalina Pizzaro Altamirano – Families known for piety and wholesomeness, money was not around much for nobility (Gomara).
BIRTH: Low level nobility on both sides. Came from a family of conquistadores, including Francisco Pizarro, conqueror of the Inca.
As an infant he was apparently sickly, described by Gomara as often being on the point of dying. His wet nurse apparently stepped up her pray game and saved him, in the end earning him the patronage of St Peter.
Age 14, 1501(?): Cortes went to Salamanca to learn grammar (Gom). According to MacNutt he attended the University of Salamanca. Didn’t exactly work out, spent two years there and returned for unclear reasons (MacNutt says 1501). Either money, or didn’t care for it. Parents were not pleased. His parents had expected him to go into law, the most noble and profitable career. Gomara describes him as exceedingly clever and intelligent.
Age 16ish he was to go with his relative Nicolas de Ovando to Hispaniola but he was hurt. Gomara says he was on a garden wall visiting a woman when it collapsed, MacNutt is same. A jealous husband attacked him. In addition Gomara says he had fever and couldn’t go with Ovando. Supposedly bounced around Southern Coast, Cadiz, Palos…
Age 17 He sets out for Italy but doesn’t make it out of Spain. Wanders idly and finally returns to Medellin determined to go to the Indies. His parents bless him, give him the money and he sets out.
Indies
In 1504 (1494?), at age 19 (Gom, p. 9), he was in Hispaniola. Because of his ties to Ovando he was granted an encomienda, or land and slave rights. Gomara reports he joined Diego Velazquez in putting down rebellions in nearby provinces inspired by Anacoana’s rebellion.
Ovando gave Cortes some Indian slaves from “Daiguaio” and appointed him Notary of Azua.
After five years he managed to earn more land in Cuba for his part in conquest with Diego Velazquez. Settled in Baracoa, Cuba where he raised sheep.
1511 Cortes is made clerk to the treasurer, responsible for the royal fifth of treasure collected. He was later appointed magistrate of Santiago by Velazquez (source).
