We present you the biography of Hernán Cortés, one of the most representative characters in the history of the conquest of New Spain ...
He was born in Extremadura, Spain. He studied law at the University of Salamanca for two years.
At the age of 19 he embarked on the Indies, settling in Santo Domingo, where he showed his ambition and audacity. In 1511 he left with Diego Velazquez to colonize Cuba, dedicating himself there to raise cattle and "collect gold."
He organized the expedition to Mexico, leaving on February 11, 1519 with 10 ships, 100 sailors, and 508 soldiers. He landed on the island of Cozumel and continued along the coast until reaching the Island of Sacrifices. Founded the Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz and later, with the help of the Totonacs and Tlaxcalans, he entered Tenochtitlan where he was received by Moctezuma.
He returned to Veracruz to face Pánfilo de Narváez, who had come from Cuba in pursuit. On his return to Tenochtitlan he found the Spanish besieged by the Mexica because of the massacre of the Main temple. He fled with his armies from the city on June 30, 1520 (the Sad Night).
In Tlaxcala ordered the construction of 13 brigs with which he besieged the city for 75 days, at the end of which he took prisoner to Cuauhtémoc, obtaining the surrender of the Mexica.
He conquered the central region of Mexico and Guatemala. During his tenure as Governor and Captain General of New Spain, he promoted the economy and missionary work. He led a failed expedition to Las Hibueras (Honduras) to subdue Cristóbal de Olid. Accused before the king of abuse of power during his administration, he was removed from the position of governor.
In an attempt to regain the government of New Spain, he traveled to the metropolis, although he only got the title of Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca with numerous land grants and vassals. He remained in New Spain from 1530 to 1540. In 1535 he organized an expedition to Baja California, where he discovered the sea that bears his name.
Already in Spain he took part in the expedition to Algiers. He died in Castilleja de la Cuesta in 1547. After many incidents and according to his wishes, his remains currently rest in the Hospital de Jesús in Mexico City.
