Hernán Cortés led the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century, bringing large parts of mainland Mexico under Spanish rule. Born in Spain, he pursued adventure and riches in the New World, successfully allying with indigenous people and overthrowing the Aztec Empire. Despite conflicts with the governor of Cuba, Cortés achieved great success and was awarded the title of marqués del Valle de Oaxaca.
Hernán Cortés was a Spanish conquistador who conquered the Aztec Empire, established the colony of New Spain, and explored the Pacific coast of America.
Hernán Cortés, born in December 1485 in Medellín, Spain, was a Spanish conquistador who led the expedition that resulted in the fall of the Aztec Empire in the early 16th century.
There are reports suggesting that he studied at the University of Salamanca focusing on Latin and Law during this time.
In 1504, Cortés embarked on a journey from Spain to the New World, specifically to the island of Santo Domingo (Hispaniola). He settled in Azúa and worked as a notary for several years.
During this time, the Spanish successfully took control of Cuba.
Hernan Cortes worked with the governor of Hispaniola on a conquest of Cuba, where he was rewarded with land and slaves.
On February 18, 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed for the coast of Yucatán with 11 ships, 508 soldiers, about 100 sailors, and 16 horses. This marked the beginning of his expedition to Mexico.
Spanish visit Cempoala and establish the settlement of Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz.
In 1519, Hernán Cortés sailed into Veracruz and captured the city by force. He attempted to arrange a meeting with Montezuma, the Aztec king, but Montezuma declined.
Cortes sends a ship carrying treasure and letters back to Spain.
Cortes' treasure ship halts in Cuba, leading to rumors about the riches discovered in Mexico.
After a victorious battle, Cortes and his men enter Tlaxcala and establish important alliances with the local leaders.
Spanish forces enter the city of Cholula.
After the Aztec people offered gold and treasures to appease Hernán Cortés, he mistrusted them and decided to take Montezuma as a hostage.
On November 8, 1519, Hernán Cortés entered Tenochtitlán (later Mexico City) with his small Spanish force and 1,000 Tlaxcaltecs. This event marked a significant moment in the conquest of the Aztec empire.
On November 14, 1519, Hernán Cortés took the Aztec ruler, Motecuhzoma, hostage, leading to a shift in relations from friendly to hostile.
Governor Velazquez of Cuba dispatches Panfilo de Narvaez to confront Cortes and take control of the expedition.
Pedro de Alvarado orders the massacre of thousands of Aztec nobles during the Festival of Toxcatl.
Hernán Cortés defeats Narvaez at the Battle of Cempoala and incorporates Narvaez's men and supplies into his own forces.
On June 24, 1520, Hernán Cortés successfully defeated the force sent by the governor of Cuba, Pánfilo de Narváez, and convinced the remaining men to join him. They all returned to Tenochtitlan where a small group of Spaniards were still holding out.
When Montezuma failed to convince the Aztecs to accept Cortes as their ruler, Cortes ordered the execution of Montezuma.
On June 30, 1520, Hernán Cortés experiences a bloody retreat from Tenochtitlan, which is famously known as the Noche Triste or 'Sad Night'.
On July 1, 1520, Moctezuma II was killed, either stoned by his own people or murdered by the Spaniards. Facing a hostile population, Cortés decided to flee for Tlaxcala during the Noche Triste.
Hernán Cortés and his men retreated from the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlán after being besieged by the Aztecs and facing heavy losses. This retreat was followed by the battle of Otumba on July 7, 1520, where Cortés emerged victorious over the Aztecs.
In July 1520, Conquistadors arrived at Tlaxcala where they could rest and regroup.
Spanish and Tlaxcalans attack unarmed Cholulans in one of the city squares after Cortes discovers an ambush planned against them.
Cortes and his expedition depart from Cholula.
Cortes and his men arrive in Tenochtitlan.
Montezuma is captured and placed under Spanish guard.
In December 1520, Hernán Cortés engaged in a conflict with the governor of Cuba.
On December 28, 1520, Cortes departed from Tlaxcala with plans for the reconquest of Tenochtitlan.
After several campaigns and receiving reinforcements by sea, Cortés captured the city of Texcoco on December 31, 1520.
Hernán Cortés initiates the siege of Tenochtitlan, a pivotal moment in the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
In 1521, the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan was conquered by Spanish forces under the command of Hernán Cortés.
After the death of Montezuma, Cortes seized control of the Aztec Empire by capturing their capital city, marking the downfall of the Aztec Empire.
King Charles I of Spain appointed Cortes as the governor of New Spain, also known as Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, in the year following the conquest of the Aztec Empire.
The Segunda Carta de Relacion, dated October 30, 1520, was published in Seville in 1522. This letter is one of Cortés's surviving writings, providing an account of the conquest of Mexico.
Catalina Suárez died under mysterious circumstances, leading to accusations that Hernán Cortés had murdered his wife. An investigation was conducted, and archival documents related to the case were uncovered in the twentieth century.
In May 1523, Hernán Cortés was appointed as the first governor of the colony of New Spain (Mexico).
In May 1524, a group of twelve Franciscans known as the Twelve Apostles of Mexico, led by Fray Martín de Valencia, arrived in Mexico. They were seen as symbolically powerful and played a significant role in the spiritual influence over the region.
In October 1524, Hernán Cortés personally led an expedition to Honduras.
In 1525, Hernán Cortés was granted a coat of arms by the crown as a mark of high honor for his accomplishments in the conquest of Mexico. The grant specified the iconography of the coat of arms, symbolizing Cortés's achievements and the conquest era.
In 1526, Hernán Cortés built the Palace of Cortés in Cuernavaca, a significant residence for himself near the capital, showcasing his wealth and power.
Cortes faced accusations of poisoning other rulers in New Spain after they fell ill, which led to tensions and suspicions among the Spanish authorities.
In May 1528, Hernán Cortés returned to Spain with treasures and 40 Aztecs to impress the court. He successfully convinced Charles V to grant him vast estates in the Americas, the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca, and a share of acquired wealth.
In 1529, Hernán Cortés was granted the noble title of Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca and married Doña Juana Zúñiga, marking a significant reward for his efforts in expanding the Spanish Empire.
Hernán Cortés goes back to Mexico but discovers that his role has been taken over by the new governor.
In 1535, Hernan Cortes made the discovery of California during his explorations. This discovery added to his legacy as a Spanish conquistador and explorer in the New World.
After a series of conquests and controversies, Cortes retired from his active role in New Spain, marking the end of his prominent career as a conquistador.
In 1541, after overthrowing the Aztec Empire, Hernán Cortés was awarded the title of marqués del Valle de Oaxaca, recognizing his achievements in the conquest of Mexico.
Hernán Cortés passes away due to dysentery in Castilleja la Vieja, Spain.
On December 7, 1547, Hernán Cortés passed away in Spain.
In 1556, Hernán Cortés' remains were moved to the church of San Francisco de Texcoco in Mexico.
On December 16, 1560, lawsuits related to vassals of the Cortes estate were resolved by a royal order issued by Philip II.
Hernán Cortés' body was sent to New Spain and buried in the church of San Francisco de Texcoco in 1566, fulfilling his wish to be buried in Mexico.
Hernán Cortés, referred to as Fernando in the Italian form of his name, is portrayed as the hero in Antonio Vivaldi's 1733 opera Motezuma.
In 1794, Hernán Cortés' bones were moved to the 'Hospital de Jesus' in Mexico, where a statue by Tolsá and a mausoleum were created. A public ceremony was held, and the city's churches rang their bells in his honor.
After the independence of México, Hernán Cortés' mausoleum was removed to protect his body from desecration. The statue and coat of arms were sent to Palermo, Sicily, while his bones were hidden and later moved to another location in the same building.
Hernán Cortés' bones were rediscovered on November 24, 1946, thanks to a secret document found by Lucas Alamán. The bones were authenticated by the Instituto Nacional de Antropología e Historia (INAH) and restored to their original place with a bronze inscription and his coat of arms.
Actor Cesar Romero portrayed Hernando Cortez in the 1947 historical adventure film Captain from Castile.
Cortés appears as the villain in the 21st episode of The Time Tunnel (1967) titled 'Idol of Death'.
The song 'Cortez the Killer' by Neil Young was released in 1975.
Hernán Cortés is depicted as an antagonist in the 1980 novel Aztec by Gary Jennings.
In 1981, President Lopez Portillo attempted to bring Hernán Cortés to public recognition by unveiling a copy of the bust of Cortés made by Manuel Tolsá in the Hospital de Jesús Nazareno. However, a nationalist group's attempt to destroy it led to the bust being removed from public display.
In 1982, Mexican president José López Portillo commissioned the Monumento al Mestizaje to be placed in the Zócalo of Coyoacan, depicting Cortés, Malinche, and their son Martín. Due to protests, the monument was relocated to Jardín Xicoténcatl, Barrio de San Diego Churubusco.
Polish illustrator Jerzy Wróblewski created a 48-page comic book in 1986 titled Hernán Cortés i podbój Meksyku (Hernán Cortés and the Conquest of Mexico), focusing on Cortés's life during the 1519–1521 period.
Hernán Cortés is portrayed as an ambiguous character in the 2000 animated movie The Road to El Dorado, voiced by Jim Cummings.
Hernán Cortés is portrayed in the opera La Conquista (2005) by Italian composer Lorenzo Ferrero, depicting the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire in 1521.
The book 'A Journey with Hernán Cortés' was published in 2017. It explores the adventures and impact of Hernán Cortés during his conquests.
Óscar Jaenada plays Hernán Cortés, a morally ambiguous protagonist in the 2019 eight-episode TV series Hernán.
The book 'Memorias de Hernán Cortés / Memoirs of Hernán' was published in 2023. It provides insights into the life and conquests of Hernán Cortés.