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.
Born: 1485 (1482), Medellin, Spain
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).
