Cort�s or Cortez, Hern�n or Hernando 1485-1547
Spanish conquistador and conqueror of Mexico

Hern�n Cort�s was born into a family of low nobility in Medellin, Estremadura. He enrolled at the University of Salamanca at the age of 14, but left after only two years. In 1504 he sailed for San Domingo, and accompanied Diego Velazquez de Cuellar in his successful expedition to conquer Cuba in 1511. Inspired by the discoveries of Pedro de Alvarado and others, in 1518 Vel�zquez fitted out a small expedition of 550 men with 17 horses and 10 cannons and gave the command to Cort�s. He landed first in the Yucat�n, and subjugated Tabasco. At San Juan de Ulua, messengers from Montezuma II, the Aztec king, reached him, bringing presents. He founded Vera Cruz, and marched to Tlaxcala, whose warlike inhabitants, subdued after hard fighting, became his faithful allies. After some delay, he started on his march to Mexico, with his Tlaxcalan allies. He escaped a dangerous ambush at Cholula, and on 8 November 1519 he reached the capital, Tenochtitl�n. There he was well received by Montezuma, who was abducted to the Spanish quarters, and forced to submit to a public act of vassalage to Spain.

In 1520 Cort�s marched to the coast, leaving Alvarado in command to deal with a force sent by Vel�zquez to arrest him, and succeeded in winning them to his side. Meanwhile Alvarado's harshness had provoked the Mexicans to revolt, and Cort�s was forced to evacuate Tenochtitl�n with heavy losses (the 'Night of Sorrows'). In retreat, Cort�s overcame a hugh Aztec army at Otumba, and eventually reached Tlaxcala. After rebuilding his forces he laid siege to Tenochtitl�n in 1521, capturing it and razing it to the ground, building Mexico City in its place. In 1522 he was appointed Governor and Captain-General of New Spain. He sent Alvarado to subdue Guatemala (1524-25), and he himself made an expedition to Honduras (1524-26). In May 1528 he went back to Spain, was received with honour by Charles V, and was created a marquis. He returned in 1530 as Captain-General, but not as Civil Governor, of New Spain. Poor and broken in health, he returned to Spain in 1540, where he accompanied Charles in his unhappy expedition against Algiers, and died neglected near Seville. His remains were moved to Tezcuco in 1562, and to Mexico City in 1629.

Bibliography: Salvador de Madriaga Hern�n Cort�s, Conqueror of Mexico (1942); William H Prescott, History of the Conquest of Mexico (1843).