Hernán Cortés
1
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés in a contemporary rendition
Born
1485Medellín, Castile
Died
December 2, 1547 (aged 61–62)Castilleja de la Cuesta, Castile
Nationality Castilian
Occupation Conquistador
Known for
Conquest of the Aztec Empire
Signature
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca (Spanish pronunciation: [erˈnaŋ korˈtes de
monˈroj i piˈθaro]; 1485 – December 2, 1547) was a Spanish conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall
of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early
16th century. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers that began the first phase of the Spanish
colonization of the Americas.
Born in Medellín, Spain, to a family of lesser nobility, Cortés chose to pursue a livelihood in the New World. He
went to Hispaniola and later to Cuba, where he received an encomienda and, for a short time, became alcalde
(magistrate) of the second Spanish town founded on the island. In 1519, he was elected captain of the third
expedition to the mainland, an expedition which he partly funded. His enmity with the Governor of Cuba, Diego
Velázquez de Cuéllar, resulted in the recall of the expedition at the last moment, an order which Cortés ignored.
Arriving on the continent, Cortés executed a successful strategy of allying with some indigenous peoples against
others. He also used a native woman, Doña Marina, as an interpreter; she would later bear Cortés a son. When the
Governor of Cuba sent emissaries to arrest Cortés, he fought them and won, using the extra troops as reinforcements.
Cortés wrote letters directly to the king asking to be acknowledged for his successes instead of punished for mutiny.
After he overthrew the Aztec Empire, Cortés was awarded the title of Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, while the more
prestigious title of Viceroy was given to a high-ranking nobleman, Antonio de Mendoza. Cortés returned to Spain in
1541 where he died peacefully but embittered six years later.
Because of the controversial undertakings of Cortés and the scarcity of reliable sources of information about him, it
has become difficult to assert anything definitive about his personality and motivations. Early lionizing of the
Hernán Cortés
conquistadors did not encourage deep examination of Cortés. Later reconsideration of the conquistadors' character in
the context of modern anti-colonial sentiment also did little to expand understanding of Cortés as an individual. As a
result of these historical trends, descriptions of Cortés tend to be simplistic, and either damning or idealizing.
Name
While he is often now referred to as Hernán or Hernando Cortez (IPA: [korˈteθ]), in his time he called himself
Hernando or Fernando Cortés (Spanish pronunciation: [korˈtes]). The names Hernán, Hernando and Fernando are all
equally correct. The latter two were most commonly used during his lifetime, but the former shortened form has
become common in both the Spanish and English languages in modern times, and is the name by which many people
know him today.[1]
Early life
Cortés was born in 1485 in the town of Medellín, in modern day Extremadura, Spain. His father, Martín Cortés de
Monroy, born in 1449 to Rodrigo or Ruy Fernández de Monroy and his wife María Cortés, was an infantry captain
of distinguished ancestry but slender means. Hernán's mother was Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. Through his mother,
Hernán was the second cousin once removed of Francisco Pizarro, who later conquered the Inca Empire of
modern-day Peru (not to be confused with another Francisco Pizarro who joined Cortés to conquer the Aztecs),
through her parents Diego Altamirano and wife and cousin Leonor Sánchez Pizarro Altamirano, first cousin of
Pizarro's father.[2] Through his father, Hernán was a twice distant relative of Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres, the third
Governor of Hispaniola. His paternal grandfather was a son of Rodrigo de Monroy y Almaraz, 5th Lord of Monroy,
and wife Mencía de Orellana y Carvajal.
Hernán Cortés is described as a pale, sickly child by his biographer, chaplain, and friend Francisco López de
Gómara. At the age of 14, Cortés was sent to study at the University of Salamanca in west-central Spain. This was
Spain's great center of learning, and while accounts vary as to the nature of Cortés's studies, his later writings and
actions suggest he studied Law and probably Latin.
After two years, Cortés, tired of schooling, returned home to Medellín, much to the irritation of his parents, who had
hoped to see him equipped for a profitable legal career. However, those two years at Salamanca, plus his long period
of training and experience as a notary, first in Seville and later in Hispaniola, would give him a close acquaintance
with the legal codes of Castile that helped him to justify his unauthorized conquest of Mexico.[3]
At this point in his life, Cortés was described by Gómara as restless, haughty and mischievous.[4] This was probably
a fair description of a 16-year-old boy who had returned home only to find himself frustrated by life in his small
provincial town. By this time, news of the exciting discoveries of Columbus in the New World was streaming back
to Spain.
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Hernán Cortés
3
Departure for the New World
Plans were made for Cortés to sail to the Americas with a family
acquaintance and distant relative, Nicolás de Ovando y Cáceres, the
newly appointed governor of Hispaniola (currently Haiti and the
Dominican Republic), but an injury he sustained while hurriedly
escaping from the bedroom of a married woman from Medellín,
prevented him from making the journey. Instead, he spent the next year
wandering the country, probably spending most of his time in the
heady atmosphere of Spain's southern ports of Cadiz, Palos, Sanlucai
and Seville, listening to the tales of those returning from the Indies,
who told of discovery and conquest, gold, Indians and strange
unknown lands. He finally left for Hispaniola in 1504 where he
became a colonist.[5]
Arrival
An undated engraving of Cortés by W. Holl.
Cortés reached Hispaniola in a ship commanded by Alonso Quintero,
who tried to deceive his superiors and reach the New World before
them in order to secure personal advantages. Quintero's mutinous conduct may have served as a model for Cortés in
his subsequent career. The history of the conquistadores is rife with accounts of rivalry, jockeying for positions,
mutiny and betrayal.[6]
Upon his arrival in 1504 in Santo Domingo, the capital of Hispaniola, the 18-year-old Cortés registered as a citizen,
which entitled him to a building plot and land to farm. Soon afterwards, Nicolás de Ovando, still the governor, gave
him a repartimiento of Indians and made him a notary of the town of Azua de Compostela. His next five years
seemed to help establish him in the colony; in 1506, Cortés took part in the conquest of Hispaniola and Cuba,
receiving a large estate of land and Indian slaves for his efforts from the leader of the expedition.
In Cuba
In 1511, Cortés had recovered from syphilis and accompanied Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar, an aide of the Governor
of Hispaniola, in his expedition to conquer Cuba. Velázquez was appointed as governor. At the age of 26, Cortés was
made clerk to the treasurer with the responsibility of ensuring that the Crown received the quinto, or customary
one-fifth of the profits from the expedition.
The Governor of Cuba, Diego Velázquez, was so impressed with Cortés that he secured a high political position for
him in the colony. Cortés continued to build a reputation as a daring and bold leader. He became secretary for
Governor Velázquez. Cortés was twice appointed municipal magistrate (alcalde) of Santiago. In Cuba, Cortés
became a man of substance with a repartimiento (gift of land and Indian slaves), mines and cattle. This new position
of power also made him the new source of leadership, which opposing forces in the colony could then turn to. In
1514, Cortés led a group which demanded that more Indians be assigned to the settlers.
As time went on, relations between Cortés and Governor Velázquez became strained. This all began once news of
Juan de Grijalva, establishing a colony on the mainland where there was a lot of silver and gold, reached Velázquez;
it was decided to send him help. Cortés was appointed Captain-General of this new expedition in October 1518, but
was advised to move fast before Velázquez changed his mind. With Cortés’experience as an administrator,
knowledge gained from many failed expeditions, and his impeccable rhetoric he was able to gather six ships and 300
men, within a month. Predictably, Velázquez’s jealousy exploded and decided to place the leadership of the
expedition in other hands. However, Cortés quickly gathered more men and ships in other Cuban ports.
Hernán Cortés
Cortés also found time to become romantically involved with Catalina Xuárez (or Juárez), the sister-in-law of
Governor Velázquez. Part of Velázquez' displeasure seems to have been based on a belief that Cortés was trifling
with Catalina's affections. Cortés was temporarily distracted by one of Catalina's sisters but finally married Catalina,
reluctantly, under pressure from Governor Velázquez. However, by doing so, he hoped to secure the good will of
both her family and that of Velázquez.[7]
It was not until he had been almost 15 years in the Indies, that Cortés began to look beyond his substantial status as
mayor of the capital of Cuba and as a man of affairs in the thriving colony. He missed the first two expeditions,
under the orders of Francisco Hernández de Córdoba and then Juan de Grijalva, sent by Diego Velázquez to Mexico
in 1518.
Conquest of Mexico
In 1518 Velázquez put him in
command of an expedition to explore
and secure the interior of Mexico for
colonization. At the last minute, due to
the old gripe between Velázquez and
Cortés, he changed his mind and
revoked his charter. Cortés ignored the
orders and went ahead anyway, in
February 1519, in an act of open
Map depicting Cortés's invasion route
mutiny. Accompanied by about 11
ships, 500 men, 13 horses and a small
number of cannons, he landed in the Yucatan Peninsula in Mayan territory.[8] There, he met Geronimo de Aguilar, a
Spaniard who had survived from a shipwreck and joined the troops.[8] Geronimo de Aguilar, a Franciscan priest, had
learned Maya during his captivity, and could thus translate for Cortés. In March 1519, Cortés formally claimed the
land for the Spanish crown. He stopped in Trinidad to hire more soldiers and obtain more horses. Then he proceeded
to Tabasco and won a battle against the natives, who did not want to welcome the Spaniards, during which time he
received from the vanquished twenty young indigenous women and he converted them all.[9] Among these women
was La Malinche, his future mistress and mother of his child Martín. Malinche knew both the (Aztec) Nahuatl
language and Maya, thus enabling Hernán Cortés to communicate in both. She became a very valuable interpreter
and counselor. Through her help, Cortés learned from the Tabascans about the wealthy Aztec Empire and its riches.
In July 1519, his men took over Veracruz: by this act, Cortés dismissed the authority of the Governor of Cuba to
place himself directly under the orders of Charles V.[8] In order to eliminate any ideas of retreat, Cortés scuttled his
ships. In Veracruz, he met some of Moctezuma's tributaries and asked them to arrange a meeting with Moctezuma.
Moctezuma repeatedly turned down the meeting, but Cortés was determined. Leaving a hundred men in Veracruz,
Cortès marched on Tenochtitlan in mid-August 1519, along with 600 men, 15 horsemen, 15 cannons, and hundreds
of indigenous carriers and warriors.[8] On the way to Tenochtitlan, Cortés made alliances with native American tribes
such as the Nahuas of Tlaxcala, the Tlaxcaltec, who surrounded the Spanish and about 2,000 porters on a hilltop and
the Totonacs of Cempoala. In October 1519, Cortés and his men, accompanied by about 3,000 Tlaxcalteca, marched
to Cholula, the second largest city in central Mexico. Cortés, either in a pre-meditated effort to instill fear upon the
Aztecs waiting for him at Tenochtitlan or (as he later claimed when under investigation) wishing to make an
example when he feared native treachery, infamously massacred thousands of unarmed members of the nobility
gathered at the central plaza, then partially burned the city.
By the time he arrived in Tenochtitlan the Spaniards had a large army. On November 8, 1519, they were peacefully
received by the Aztec Emperor Moctezuma II, due to Mexican tradition and diplomatic customs. Moctezuma
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Hernán Cortés
deliberately let Cortés enter the heart of the Aztec Empire, hoping to get to know their weaknesses better and to
crush them later.[8] He gave lavish gifts in gold to the Spaniards which enticed them to plunder vast amounts of gold.
In his letters to Charles V, Cortés claimed to have learned at this point that he was considered by the Aztecs to be
either an emissary of the feathered serpent god Quetzalcoatl or Quetzalcoatl himself — a belief which has been
contested by a few modern historians.[10] But quickly Cortès learned that Spaniards on the coast had been attacked,
and decided to take Moctezuma as a hostage in his own palace, requesting him to swear allegiance to Charles V.
Meanwhile, Velasquez sent another expedition, led by Pánfilo de Narváez, to oppose Cortés, arriving in Mexico in
April 1520 with 1,100 men.[8] Cortés left 200 men in Tenochtitlan and took the rest to confront Narvaez. He
overcame Narváez, despite his numerical inferiority, and convinced the rest of Narvaez's men to join him.[8] In
Mexico, one of Cortés's lieutenants Pedro de Alvarado, committed a massacre in the Main Temple, triggering a local
rebellion. Cortés speedily returned to Mexico and proposed an armistice, attempting to support himself on
Moctezuma, but the latter was stoned to death by his subjects on July 1, 1520 and Cortés decided to flee for
Tlaxcala. During the Noche Triste (30 June-1 July 1520), the Spaniards managed a narrow escape from Tenochtitlan
across the causeway, while their backguard was being massacred. Much of the treasure looted by Cortés was lost (as
well as his artillery) during this panicked escape from Tenochtitlán.[8] After a battle in Otumba, they managed to
reach Tlaxcala, after having lost 870 men.[8] With the assistance of their allies, Cortés's men finally prevailed with
reinforcements arriving from Cuba. Cortés began a policy of attrition towards the island city of Tenochtitlán cutting
off supplies and subduing the Aztecs' allied cities thus changing the balance and organizing the siege of
Tenochtitlán, destroying the city.
In January 1521, Cortés countered a conspiracy against him, headed by Villafana, who was hanged.[8] Finally, with
the capture of Cuauhtémoc, the Tlatoani (ruler) of Tenochtitlán, on 13 August 1521, the Aztec Empire disappeared,
and Cortés was able to claim it for Spain, thus renaming the city Mexico City. From 1521 to 1524, Cortés personally
governed Mexico.[8]
Appointment to governorship of Mexico and internal dissensions
Many historical sources have conveyed an impression that Cortés was
unjustly treated by the Spanish Crown, and that he received nothing
but ingratitude for his role in establishing New Spain. This picture is
the one Cortés presents in his letters and in the later biography written
by Gomara. However, there may be more to the picture than this.
Cortés's own greed and vanity may have played a part in his
deteriorating position with the king
"Cortés personally was not ungenerously rewarded, but he
speedily complained of insufficient compensation to himself and
A painting from Diego Muñoz Camargo's History
his comrades. Thinking himself beyond reach of restraint, he
of Tlaxcala (Lienzo Tlaxcala), c. 1585, showing
disobeyed many of the orders of the Crown, and, what was more
La Malinche and Hernán Cortés.
imprudent, said so in a letter to the emperor, dated October 15,
1524 (Ycazbalceta, "Documentos para la Historia de México",
Mexico, 1858, I). In this letter Cortés, besides recalling in a rather abrupt manner that the conquest of Mexico
was due to him alone, deliberately acknowledges his disobedience in terms which could not fail to create a
most unfavourable impression."[11]
King Charles I of Spain, who had become Holy Roman Emperor Charles V in 1519, appointed Cortés as governor,
captain general and chief justice of the newly conquered territory, dubbed "New Spain of the Ocean Sea". But also,
much to the dismay of Cortés, four royal officials were appointed at the same time to assist him in his governing —
in effect submitting him to close observation and administration. Cortés initiated the construction of Mexico City,
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Hernán Cortés
6
destroying Aztec temples and buildings and then rebuilding on the Aztec ruins what soon became the most important
European city in the Americas. Cortés managed the founding of new cities and appointed men to extend Spanish rule
to all of New Spain, imposing the encomienda land tenure system in 1524.[8] He also supported efforts to evangelize
the indigenous people to Christianity and sponsored new explorations. He then spent the next seven years
establishing peace among the Indians of Mexico and developing mines and farmlands. Cortés was one of the first
Spaniards to attempt to grow sugar in Mexico and one of the first to import African slaves to early colonial Mexico.
At the time of his death his estate contained at least 200 slaves who were either native Africans or of African
descent.
In 1523, the Crown (possibly influenced by Cortés's enemy, Bishop Fonseca),[12] sent a military force under the
command of Francisco de Garay to conquer and settle the northern part of Mexico, the region of Pánuco. This was
another setback for Cortés who mentioned this in his fourth letter to the King in which he describes himself as the
victim of a conspiracy by his archenemies Diego Velázquez, Diego Columbus and Bishop Fonseca as well as
Francisco Garay. The influence of Garay was effectively stopped by this appeal to the King who sent out a decree
forbidding Garay to interfere in the politics of New Spain, causing him to give up without a fight.
From 1524 to 1526, Cortés headed an expedition to Honduras where he defeated Cristóbal de Olid, who had claimed
Honduras as his own under the influence of the Governor of Cuba Diego Velázquez. Fearing that Cuauhtémoc might
head an insurrection in Mexico, he brought him with him in Honduras and hanged him during the journey. Raging
over Olid's treason, Cortés issued a decree to arrest Velázquez, whom he was sure was behind Olid's treason. This,
however, only served to further estrange the Crown of Castile and the Council of Indies, both of which were already
beginning to feel anxious about Cortés's rising power.[13]
Cortés's fifth letter to Charles V attempts to justify his conduct,
concludes with a bitter attack on “various and powerful rivals and
enemies” who have “obscured the eyes of your Majesty.”[14]
Unfortunately, the Holy Roman Emperor had little time for distant
colonies (much of Charles's reign was taken up with wars with France,
the German Protestants and the expanding Ottoman Empire),[15] except
insofar as they contributed to finance his wars. In 1521, year of the
Conquest, Charles V was attending to matters in his German domains
and Spain was ruled by Bishop (later Pope) Adrian of Utrecht, who
functioned as regent. Velázquez and Fonseca persuaded the regent to
appoint a commissioner with powers, (a Juez de residencia, Luis Ponce
de León), to investigate Cortés's conduct and even arrest him. Cortés
was once quoted as saying that it was "more difficult to contend
against (his) own countrymen than against the Aztecs." Governor
Diego Velázquez continued to be a thorn in his side, teaming up with
Bishop Juan Rodríguez de Fonseca, chief of the Spanish colonial
department, to undermine him in the Council of the Indies.
The crest awarded to Cortés, by Charles V
A few days after Cortés's return from his expedition, Ponce de León suspended Cortés from his office of governor of
New Spain. The Licentiate then fell ill and died shortly after his arrival, appointing Marcos de Aguilar as alcalde
mayor. The aged Aguilar also became sick and appointed Alonso de Estrada governor, who was confirmed in his
functions by a royal decree in August 1527. Cortés, suspected of poisoning them, refrained from taking over the
government. Estrada sent Diego de Figueroa to the south; but de Figueroa raided graveyards and extorted
contributions, meeting his end when the ship carrying these treasures sunk. Albornoz persuaded Alonso de Estrada to
release Salazar and Chirinos. When Cortés complained angrily after one of his adherent's hand was cut off, Estrada
ordered him exiled. Cortés sailed for Spain in 1528 to appeal to Emperor Charles V.
Hernán Cortés
7
First return to Spain (1528)
In 1528, Cortés returned to Spain to appeal to the justice of his master, Charles V. Juan Altamirano and Alonso
Valiente stayed in Mexico and acted as Cortés' representatives during his absence. Cortés presented himself with
great splendor before Charles V's court. By this time Charles V had returned and Cortés forthrightly responded to his
enemy's charges. Denying he had held back on gold due the crown, he showed that he had contributed more than the
quinto (one-fifth) required. Indeed, he had spent lavishly to rebuild Tenochtitlán, damaged during the siege that
brought down the Aztec empire.
He was received by Charles with every distinction, and decorated with the order of Santiago. In return for his efforts
in expanding the still young Spanish Empire, Cortés was rewarded in 1529 by being named the "Marqués del Valle
de Oaxaca" (Marquis of the Oaxaca Valley), a noble title and senorial estate which was passed down to his
descendants until 1811. The Oaxaca Valley was one of the wealthiest region of New Spain, and Cortés had 23 000
vassals.[8] Although confirmed in his land holdings and vassals, he was not reinstated as governor and was never
again given any important office in the administration of New Spain. During his travel to Spain, his property was
mismanaged by abusive colonial administrators. He sided with local natives in a lawsuit. The natives documented
the abuses in the Huexotzinco Codex.
Return to Mexico
Cortés returned to Mexico in 1530 with new titles and honors, but with
diminished power, a viceroy, Antonio de Mendoza, having been entrusted in
1535 with the administration of civil affairs, although Cortés still retained
military authority, with permission to continue his conquests. This division of
power led to continual dissension, and caused the failure of several enterprises in
which Cortés was engaged.
On returning to Mexico, Cortés found the country in a state of anarchy. There
was a strong suspicion in court circles of an intended rebellion by Cortés, and a
charge was brought against him that cast a fatal blight upon his character and
plans. He was accused of murdering his first wife. The proceedings of the
investigation were kept secret. No report, either exonerating or condemning
Cortés, was published. Had the Government declared him innocent, it would
have greatly increased his popularity; had it declared him a criminal, a crisis
would have been precipitated by the accused and his party. Silence was the only
safe policy, but that silence is suggestive that grave danger was feared from his
influence.
Emperor Charles V with Hound
(1532), a painting by the 16th
century artist Jakob Seisenegger.
After reasserting his position and reestablishing some sort of order, Cortés retired
to his estates at Cuernavaca, about 30 miles (48 km) south of Mexico City. There he concentrated on the building of
his palace and on Pacific exploration. Remaining in Mexico between 1530 and 1541, Cortés quarreled with Nuño
Beltrán de Guzmán and disputed the right to explore the territory that is today California with Antonio de Mendoza,
the first viceroy. In 1536, Cortés explored the northwestern part of Mexico and discovered the Baja California
Peninsula. Cortés also spent time exploring the Pacific coast of Mexico. The Gulf of California was originally named
the Sea of Cortes by its discoverer Francisco de Ulloa in 1539. This was the last major expedition by Cortés.
Hernán Cortés
Later life and death
Second return to Spain
After his exploration of Baja California, Cortés returned to Spain in 1541, hoping to confound his angry civilians,
who had brought many lawsuits against him (for debts, abuse of power, etc.).[8]
On his return he was utterly neglected, and could scarcely obtain an audience. On one occasion he forced his way
through a crowd that surrounded the emperor's carriage, and mounted on the footstep. The emperor, astounded at
such audacity, demanded of him who he was. "I am a man," replied Cortés proudly, "who has given you more
provinces than your ancestors left you cities."[16] [17]
Expedition against Algiers
The emperor finally permitted Cortés to join him and his fleet commanded by Andrea Doria at the great expedition
against Algiers in the Barbary Coast in 1541, which was then part of the Ottoman Empire and was used as a base by
the famous Turkish corsair Hayreddin Barbarossa who was also the Admiral-in-Chief of the Ottoman Fleet. During
this unfortunate campaign, which was his last, Cortés was almost drowned in a storm that hit his fleet while he was
pursuing Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha, who managed to defeat the fleet of Charles V for a second time after the 1538
Battle of Preveza.[18]
Last years and legacy
Having spent a great deal of his own money to finance expeditions, he was now heavily in debt. In February 1544 he
made a claim on the royal treasury, but was given a royal runaround for the next three years. Disgusted, he decided
to return to Mexico in 1547. When he reached Seville, he was stricken with dysentery. He died in Castilleja de la
Cuesta, Seville province, on December 2, 1547, from a case of pleurisy at the age of 62.
Like Columbus, he died a wealthy but embittered man. He left his many mestizo and white children well cared for in
his will, along with every one of their mothers. He requested in his will that his remains eventually be buried in
Mexico. Before he died he had the Pope remove the "natural" status of three of his children (legitimizing them in the
eyes of the church), including Martin, the son he had with Doña Marina (also known as La Malinche), said to be his
favourite.
After his death his body has been moved more than eight times for several reasons. On December 4, 1547 he was
buried in the mausoleum of the Duke of Medina in the church of San Isidoro del Campo, Sevilla. Three years later
(1550) due to the space being required by the duke, his body was moved to the altar of Santa Catarina in the same
church. In his testament, Cortés asked for his body to be buried in the monastery he had ordered to be built in
Coyoacan in México, ten years after his death, but the monastery was never built. So in 1566, his body was sent to
New Spain and buried in the church of "San Francisco de Texcoco", where his mother and one of his sisters were
buried.
In 1629, Don Pedro Cortés fourth "Marquez del Valle, his last male descendant, died, so the viceroy decided to
move the bones of Cortés along with those of his descendant to the Franciscan church in México. This was delayed
for nine years, while his body stayed in the main room of the palace of the viceroy. Eventually it was moved the
Sagrario of Franciscan church, where it stayed for 87 years. In 1716, it was moved to another place in the same
church. In 1794, his bones were moved to the "Hospital de Jesus" (founded by Cortés), where a statue by Tolsa and a
mausoleum were made. There was a public ceremony and all the churches in the city rang their bells.
In 1823, after the independence of México, it seemed imminent that his body would be desecrated, so the mausoleum
was removed, the statue and the coat of arms were sent to Palermo, Sicily, to be protected by the Duke of Terranova.
The bones were hidden, and everyone thought that they had been sent out of México. In 1836, his bones were moved
to another place in the same building. It was not until 1947 that they were rediscovered thanks to the discovery of a
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Hernán Cortés
secret document by Lucas Alaman. His body put in charge of the "Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia"
INAH; it was authenticated and then restored to the same place, this time with a bronze inscription and his coat of
arms.[19] In 1981, when a copy of the bust by Tolsa was put in the church, there was a failed attempt to destroy his
bones.
Children
Natural children of Hernán Cortés
• doña Catalina Pizarro, born between 1514 and 1515 in Santiago de Cuba or maybe later in Nueva España,
daughter of doña Leonor Pizarro, perhaps relative of Cortés.
• don Martín Cortés, born in Coyoacán in 1522, son of doña Marina (La Malinche), called the First Mestizo; about
him was written The New World of Martín Cortés; married doña Bernaldina de Porras and had two children:
• doña Ana Cortés
• don Fernando Cortés, Principal Judge of Veracruz. Descendants of this line are alive today in Mexico.
• don Luis Cortés, born in 1525, son of doña Antonia or Elvira Hermosillo.
• doña Leonor Cortés Moctezuma, born in 1527 or 1528 in Ciudad de Mexico, daughter of Aztec princess
Tecuichpotzin (baptized Isabel), born in Tenochtitlan on July 11, 1510 and died on July 9, 1550, the eldest
legitimate daughter of Moctezuma II Xocoyotzin and wife doña María Miahuaxuchitl; married to Juan de Tolosa,
a miner.
• doña María Cortés de Moctezuma, daughter of an Aztec princess; nothing more is known about her except that
she probably was born with some deformity.
He married twice: firstly in Cuba to Catalina Juárez Marcaida, who died at Coyoacán in 1522 without issue, and
secondly in 1529 to doña Juana Ramírez de Arellano de Zúñiga, daughter of don Carlos Ramírez de Arellano, 2nd
Count of Aguilar and wife the Countess doña Juana de Zúñiga, and had:
• don Luis Cortés y Ramírez de Arellano, born in Texcoco in 1530 and died shortly after his birth.
• doña Catalina Cortés de Zúñiga, born in Cuernavaca in 1531 and died shortly after her birth.
• don Martín Cortés y Ramírez de Arellano, 2nd Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, born in Cuernavaca in 1532,
married at Nalda on February 24, 1548 his twice cousin once removed doña Ana Ramírez de Arellano y Ramírez
de Arellano and had issue, currently extinct in male line
• doña María Cortés de Zúñiga, born in Cuernavaca between 1533 and 1536, married to don Luis de Quiñones y
Pimentel, 5th Count of Luna
• doña Catalina Cortés de Zúñiga, born in Cuernavaca between 1533 and 1536, died unmarried in Sevilla after the
funeral of her father
• doña Juana Cortés de Zúñiga, born in Cuernavaca between 1533 and 1536, married Don Fernando Enríquez de
Ribera y Portocarrero, 2nd Duke of Alcalá de los Gazules, 3rd Marquess of Tarifa and 6th Count of Los Molares,
and had issue
Disputed interpretation of his life
There are relatively few sources to the early life of Cortés; his fame arose from his participation in the conquest of
Mexico and it was only after this that people became interested in reading and writing about him. Probably the best
source is his letters to the king which he wrote during the campaign in Mexico, but they are written with the specific
purpose of putting his efforts in a favourable light and so must be read critically. Another main source is the
biography written by Cortés's private chaplain Lopez de Gómara, which was written in Spain several years after the
conquest. Gómara never set foot in the Americas and knew only what Cortés had told him, and he had an affinity for
knightly romantic stories which he incorporated richly in the biography. The third major source is written as a
reaction to what its author calls "the lies of Gomara", the account written by the Conquistador Bernal Díaz del
9
Hernán Cortés
10
Castillo does not paint Cortés as a romantic hero but rather tries to emphasize that Cortés's men should also be
remembered as important participants in the undertakings in Mexico. In the years following the conquest more
critical accounts of the Spanish arrival in Mexico were written. The Dominican friar Bartolomé de Las Casas wrote
his A Short Account of the Destruction of the Indies which raises strong accusations of brutality and heinous violence
towards the Indians; accusations against both the conquistadors in general and Cortés in particular. The accounts of
the conquest given in the Florentine Codex by the Franciscan Bernardino de Sahagún and his native informants are
also less than flattering towards Cortés. The scarcity of these sources has led to a sharp division in the description of
Cortés's personality and a tendency to describe him as either a vicious and ruthless person or a noble and honorable
cavalier.
Representations in México
In México there are few representations of Cortés. However, many
landmarks still bear his name, from the castle in the city of Cuernavaca
to some street names throughout the republic.
The only authentic monuments are in Mexico City at the pass between
the volcanoes Iztaccíhuatl and Popocatépetl where Cortés took his
soldiers on their march to Mexico City. It is known as the Paso de
Cortés.
The muralist Diego Rivera painted several representation of him but
the most famous, depicts him as a powerful and ominous figure along
with Malinche in a mural in the National Palace in México City.
Monument in Mexico City commemorating the
encounter of Cortés and Moctezuma
In 1981, President Lopez Portillo tried to bring Cortés to public
recognition. First, he made public a copy of the bust of Cortés made by Manuel Tolsá in the Hospital de Jesús
Nazareno with an official ceremony, but soon a nationalist group tried to destroy it, so it had to be taken out of the
public.[20] Today the copy of bust is in the "Museo Nacional de Historia" in an obscure corner [21] while the original
is in Nápoles, Italy, in the Villa Pignatelli.
Later, another monument, known as "Monumento al Mestizaje" by
Julián Martínez y M. Maldonado (1982) was commissioned by Lopez
Portillo to be put in the "Zocalo" (Main square) of Coyoacan, near the
place of his country house, but it had to be removed to a little known
park, the Jardín Xicoténcatl, Barrio de San Diego Churubusco. The
statue depicts Cortés, Malinche and their son.[22]
There is another statue by Sebastián Aparicio, in Cuernavaca, was in a
hotel "El casino de la selva". Cortés is barely recognizable, so it
sparked little interest. The hotel was closed to make a commercial
center, and the statue was put out of public display by Costco the
builder of the commercial center.[20]
Monument in Mexico City known as
"Monumento al Mestizaje"
Hernán Cortés
Writings - The Cartas de Relación
Cortés's personal account of the conquest of Mexico is narrated in his five letters addressed to Charles V, the Holy
Roman Emperor. These five letters, or cartas de relación, are Cortés's only surviving writings. See "Letters and
Dispatches of Cortés," translated by George Folsom (New York, 1843); Prescott's "Conquest of Mexico" (Boston,
1843); and Sir Arthur Helps's "Life of Hernando Cortes" (London, 1871).[16]
As one specialist describes them...
"The Cartas de relación have enjoyed an unequaled popularity among students of the Conquest of Mexico.
Cortés was a good writer. His letters to the emperor, on the conquest, deserve to be classed among the best
Spanish documents of the period. They are, of course, coloured so as to place his own achievements in relief,
but, withal, he keeps within bounds and does not exaggerate, except in matters of Indian civilization and the
numbers of population as implied by the size of the settlements. Even there he uses comparatives only, judging
from outward appearances and from impressions.
Historians, sociologists, and political scientists use them to glean information about the Aztec Empire and the
clash between the European and Indian cultures. However, as early as the 16th century doubt has been cast on
the historicity of these Conquest accounts. It is generally accepted that Cortés does not write a true “history,”
but rather combines history with fiction. That is to say, in his narrative Cortés manipulates reality in order to
achieve his overarching purpose of gaining the favor of the king. Cortés applies the classical rhetorical figure
of evidentia as he crafts a powerful narrative full of “vividness” that moves the reader and creates a heightened
sense of realism in his letters."
His first letter is lost, and the one from the municipality of Vera Cruz has to take its place. It was published for the
first time in volume IV of "Documentos para la Historia de España", and subsequently reprinted. The first carta de
relación is available online at [23]
The Segunda Carta de Relacion, bearing the date of October 30, 1520, appeared in print at Seville in 1522. The
"Carta tercera", May 15, 1522, appeared at Seville in 1523. The fourth, October 20, 1524, was printed at Toledo in
1525. The fifth, on the Honduras expedition, is contained in volume IV of the Documentos para la Historia de
España. The important letter mentioned in the text has been published under the heading of Carta inédita de Cortés
by Ycazbalceta. A great number of minor documents, either by Cortés or others, for or against him, are dispersed
through the voluminous collection above cited and through the Colección de Documentos de Indias, as well as in the
Documentos para la Historia de México of Ycazbalceta. There are a number of reprints and translations of Cortés's
writings into various languages.[24] [25]
References in modern culture
Hernán Cortés is a principal character in the opera La conquista (2005) by Italian composer Lorenzo Ferrero, which
depicts the major episodes of the Spanish conquest of Mexico in 1521 and the subsequent destruction of the Aztec
civilization.
Cortes is also a "Founding Father" in Sid Meier's Colonization.
The spirit of Hernán Cortés appears in the Pirates of the Caribbean: Jack Sparrow book series.
Cortes is also referenced in the song Cortez the Killer by Neil Young.
Cortes is the leader of the conquistadors in the Dreamworks movie The Road To El Dorado.
11
Hernán Cortés
References
[1] For example, the English language version of his letters is called "Hernán Cortés: Letters from Mexico", etc.
[2] Machado, J. T. Montalvão, Dos Pizarros de Espanha aos de Portugal e Brasil, Author's Edition, 1st Edition, Lisbon, 1970.
[3] The Latin Library, Hernan Cortés (http:/ / www. thelatinlibrary. com/ imperialism/ notes/ cortez. html)
[4] The Latin Library, Hernan Cortés (http:/ / www. thelatinlibrary. com/ imperialism/ notes/ cortez. html)
[5] Crow, John A. The Epic of Latin America. Los Angeles, California: University of California Press, 1992. 4th ed. p.73
[6] "Famous Hispanics: Hernán Cortés" (http:/ / coloquio. com/ famosos/ cortes. htm). Coloquio.com. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[7] Sanderson Beck, "Cortès in Mexico" (http:/ / www. san. beck. org/ 11-2-SpanishConquest. html#3)
[8] Bernard Grunberg, "La folle aventure d'Hernan Cortés", in L'Histoire n°322, July–August 2007
[9] Crowe, John A. The Epic of Latin America. Los Angeles, California: University of California Press, 1992. 4th ed. p.75
[10] Restall, Matthew (2003). Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest. Oxford University Press; Townsend, Camilla (2003). "Burying the White
Gods: New Perspectives on the Conquest of Mexico." American Historical Review 108, no. 3: 659-687.
[11] Catholic Encyclopedia, Hernan Cortés (http:/ / www. newadvent. org/ cathen/ 04397a. htm)
[12] p30-31 of J.H. Elliot, introductory essay to Anthony Pagdens translation of Cortés's letters "Hernan Cortés" letters from Mexico" 2001
(1971, 1986) Yale University NotaBene books
[13] p34 of J.H. Elliot, introductory essay to Anthony Pagdens translation of Cortés' letters "Hernan Cortés" letters from Mexico" 2001 (1971,
1986) Yale University NotaBene books
[14] (in spanish) Cartas y relaciones de Hernan Cortés al emperador Carlos V (http:/ / books. google. com/ books?id=e7IGAAAAQAAJ&
pg=PA484& hl=ca). Everything2.com. . Retrieved 2009-07-26.
[15] "Charles V" (http:/ / www. everything2. com/ index. pl?node=Charles V). Everything2.com. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[16] "Hernán Cortés" (http:/ / www. virtualology. com/ virtualmuseumofhistory/ hallofexplorers/ HERNANDOCORTES. COM/ ).
Virtualology.com. 2001-04-02. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[17] "spanishtreasure" (http:/ / students. ou. edu/ P/ Kathryn. R. Pruitt-1/ spanishtreasure. html). Students.ou.edu. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[18] Sandra Arlinghaus. "Naval Battle of Preveza, 1538" (http:/ / www-personal. umich. edu/ ~sarhaus/ larimore02/ suleiman. html).
Personal.umich.edu. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[19] "Xavier López Medellín: Los huesos de Hernán Cortés" (http:/ / www. motecuhzoma. de/ huesos. html). Motecuhzoma.de. . Retrieved
2009-07-23.
[20] "Reconocer a Cortés por Leonardo Tarifeño" (http:/ / www. letraslibres. com/ index. php?art=9040). Letras Libres. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[21] "estatuas" (http:/ / www. medellin. es/ estatuas. htm). Medellin.es. 2003-02-05. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[22] Manuel M. Cascante, Corresponsal en Ciudad de México (2006-10-13). "Cortés y sus 9 entierros - Domingos - Domingos" (http:/ / www.
abc. es/ hemeroteca/ historico-13-10-2006/ abc/ Domingos/ cortes-y-sus-9-entierros_1423747181753. html). Abc.es. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[23] "Ibero-American Electronic Text Series: Los Trabajos de Persiles y Sigismunda: Contents" (http:/ / digicoll. library. wisc. edu/ cgi-bin/
IbrAmerTxt/ IbrAmerTxt-idx?type=header& byte=1042389& q1=& q2=& q3=). Digicoll.library.wisc.edu. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
[24] "Hernán Cortés (1485-1547), Conqueror, Spain" (http:/ / coloquio. com/ famosos/ cortes. htm). Famous Hispanics. Coloquio. 2006. .
[25] "Catholic Encyclopedia: Hernando Cortes" (http:/ / www. newadvent. org/ cathen/ 04397a. htm). Newadvent.org. . Retrieved 2009-07-23.
Related reading
Primary sources
• Cortés, Hernán. Letters – available as Letters from Mexico translated by Anthony Pagden. Yale University Press,
1986. ISBN 0300090943. Available online in Spanish (http://books.google.com/
books?id=e7IGAAAAQAAJ&printsec=titlepage&hl=ca&source=gbs_v2_summary_r&cad=0) from a 1866
edition.
• Díaz del Castillo, Bernal. The Conquest of New Spain – available as The Discovery and Conquest of Mexico:
1517-1521 ISBN 030681319X
• López de Gómara, Francisco. Hispania Victrix; First and Second Parts of the General History of the Indies, with
the whole discovery and notable things that have happened since they were acquired until the year 1551, with the
conquest of Mexico and New Spain University of California Press, 1966
• Prescott, William H. History of the Conquest of Mexico, with a Preliminary View of Ancient Mexican Civilization,
and the Life of the Conqueror, Hernando Cortes (http://etext.virginia.edu/toc/modeng/public/PreConq.html)
• Last Will and Testament of Hernán Cortés (http://members.tripod.com/~GaryFelix/HCwill.htm)
• Letter From Hernan Cortes to Charles the V (http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1520cortes.html)
12
Hernán Cortés
Secondary sources
• Myth and Reality: The Legacy of Spain in America by Jesus J. Chao. Culture/Society Opinion. February 12, 1992.
The Institute of Hispanic Culture of Houston
• Crow, John A. The Epic of Latin America. 4th ed. New York: University of California P, 1992.
• Hernando Cortés by Jacobs, W.J., New York, N.Y.:Franklin Watts, Inc. 1974.
• The World’s Greatest Explorers: Hernando Cortés. Chicago, by Stein, R.C., Illinois: Chicago Press Inc. 1991.
• León-Portilla, Miguel (Ed.) (1992) [1959]. The Broken Spears: The Aztec Account of the Conquest of Mexico.
Ángel María Garibay K. (Nahuatl-Spanish trans.), Lysander Kemp (Spanish-English trans.), Alberto Beltran
(illus.) (Expanded and updated edition ed.). Beacon Press. ISBN 0807055018.
• Maura, Juan Francisco. “Cobardía, falsedad y opportunismo español: algunas consideraciones sobre la “verdadera”
historia de la conquista de la Nueva España” (http://parnaseo.uv.es/Lemir/Revista/Revista7/NuevaEspa.htm)
Lemir (Revista de literatura medieval y del Renacimiento) 7 (2003): 1-29.
• Passuth, László. The Rain God cries over Mexico
• Restall, Matthew. Seven Myths of the Spanish Conquest Oxford University Press (2003) ISBN 0195160770
• Hernando Cortés by Fisher, M. & Richardson K.
• Hernando Cortés Crossroads Resource Online.
• The Conquest of America by Tzvetan Todorov (1996) ISBN 0061320951
• Thomas, Hugh (1993). Conquest: Cortés, Montezuma, and the Fall of Old Mexico ISBN 0671511041
• White, Jon Manchip. (1971) Cortés and the Downfall of the Aztec Empire ISBN 0786702710
External links
• Genealogy of Hernán Cortés (http://www.pignatelli.org/cortes.htm)
• Origin of the Surname Cortés (http://www.marfonline.com/cartucheria/milan2/Genealogia/ApellidoCortes.
html)
• Biography of Hernán Cortés (http://www.nndb.com/people/444/000092168/)
• The change of Hernán Cortés' self-image by means of the conquest (http://www.motecuhzoma.de/change.
html)
• Hernando Cortes on the Web (http://www.isidore-of-seville.com/cortes/) – web directory with thumbnail
galleries
• Conquistadors, with Michael Wood (http://www.pbs.org/conquistadors/cortes/cortes_flat.html) – website for
2001 PBS documentary
• Ibero-American Electronic Text Series (http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1711.dl/IbrAmerTxt) presented online
by the University of Wisconsin Digital Collections Center.
• Hernan Cortes - The Conquistador of the Aztecs (http://hernan-cortes.com); Informational Link Blog about the
History of Cortes, the Aztecs along with a variety of sources, pictures and educational resources
• Latin American studies center (http://www.latinamericanstudies.org/cortes.htm), material on Cortés
• Fernand Cortez (http://www.multimania.com/fcortez) opera by Gaspare Spontini, Jean-Paul Penin
• "Cortes, Hernando" (http://historicaltestarchive.com/sections.php?op=viewarticle&artid=445) Belinda H.
Nanney
• "Hernan Cortes, marques del Valle de Oaxaca" (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/138839/
Hernan-Cortes-marques-del-Valle-de-Oaxaca), Encyclopædia Britannica
kbd:Эрнан Кортес
13
Article Sources and Contributors
Article Sources and Contributors
Hernán Cortés Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=438073722 Contributors: 07ellent, 1exec1, Abögarp, Accurizer, Adelson Velsky Landis, Adrian.benko, Aeon1006,
Aetheling, Aeusoes1, Afmartin, Agüeybaná, Ahoerstemeier, Aim Here, Akamad, Alansohn, Albrecht, Alcmaeonid, Alcuin, Aldebaran69, Alefbe, Alex S, Alexf, Alexikoua, AlexiusHoratius,
[email protected], Aliettedb, Alpha Quadrant, Alsandro, Amadalvarez, Amrush, Anakin101, Anatopism, Andonic, Andrea.gf, Andres C., AndrewMcQ, Angela, Angelicapple, Anger22,
Angusmclellan, Anni anni anni, Antandrus, Anthon.Eff, ApolloCreed, Aquiles, Arbiter6, Arch dude, Artemis11, AssistantX, Astharoth1, Augicoins, Auntof6, Avnjay, AxelBoldt, Az88,
Aznfreakotation, Bachrach44, Bart133, Basawala, Bcameron54, Beardo, Bemoeial, Benramm, Benw, Bettinamorales622, BinaryTed, Bkwillwm, Bobismyherotoo, Bobo192, Bolivian Unicyclist,
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Cactus Bob, Can't sleep, clown will eat me, CanadianCaesar, Canuckle, Capitalistroadster, CarrerCrytharis, CatherineMunro, Cbrown1023, Cedwino, Chester Collins, Chihuahua State, Chrislk02,
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Ixfd64, J Di, JCarriker, JForget, JMejia7704, JNW, JYolkowski, JaGa, Jack the crack, Jack1956, Jahiegel, Jamesontai, Jaraalbe, Jauhienij, Jay Litman, Jebba, Jeff G., Jengod, JerrySteal, Jh51681,
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Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors
File:cortes.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cortes.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Infrogmation, 1 anonymous edits
File:Hernan Cortes Signature.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hernan_Cortes_Signature.svg License: Public Domain Contributors: Connormah, Hernan Cortes
Image:Cortes-Hernan-LOC.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Cortes-Hernan-LOC.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: ADGE, Infrogmation, Jengod, PACO,
Plugwash
Image:Ruta de Cortés.svg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Ruta_de_Cortés.svg License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Contributors: Yavidaxiu
Image:Malinche Tlaxcala.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Malinche_Tlaxcala.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: Gospodar svemira, Infrogmation,
Madman2001, Platonides, Sfan00 IMG, Thelmadatter, Xenophon, 5 anonymous edits
Image:Hernando Cortes crest from Charles V.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Hernando_Cortes_crest_from_Charles_V.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors:
Charles V
Image:Jakob Seisenegger 001.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Jakob_Seisenegger_001.jpg License: Public Domain Contributors: User:Gryffindor, User:Jon Harald
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Image:Monumento de Moctezuma y Hernan Cortés.jpg Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Monumento_de_Moctezuma_y_Hernan_Cortés.jpg License: GNU Free
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