Hernán Cortés

18th-century portrait of Cortés based on the one sent by the conqueror to [[Paolo Giovio]], which has served as a model for many of his representations since the 16th century Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, 1st Marquess of the Valley of Oaxaca ; }} (December 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 what is now mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish explorers and conquistadors who 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 adventure and riches in the New World. He went to Hispaniola and later to Cuba, where he received an ''encomienda'' (the right to the labor of certain subjects). For a short time, he served as ''alcalde'' (magistrate) of the second Spanish town founded on the island. In 1519, he was elected captain of the third expedition to the mainland, 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 people against others. He also used a native woman, Doña Marina, as an interpreter. She later gave birth to his first 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 being 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. In 1541 Cortés returned to Spain, where he died six years later of natural causes. Provided by Wikipedia
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Ferdinandi Cortesii. Von dem Newen Hispanien/ so im Meer gegem Nidergang/ Zwo gantz lustige vnnd fruchtreiche Historien/ an den großmächtigisten vnüberwindtlichisten Herren/ Carolvm. V. Römischen Kaiser &c. Künig in Hispanien &c. Die erst im M.D.xx.jar zůgeschriben/ in wellicher grundtlich vnd glaubwirdig erzelt wirdt/ der Abendtländern/ vnnd sonderlich der Hochberümpten statt Temixtitan eroberung. Die andere im 1524. jar/ Wie Temixtitan/ so abgefallen/ wider erobert/ Nachmals andere herrliche Syg/ sampt der erfindung des Meers Svr/ So man für das Jndianische Meer achtet. Darzů auch von vilen andern Landtschafften Jndiæ/ So erfunden von dem 1536. biß auf das 42. Jar. Wellicher vilfältige frucht/ nutz vnd lustparkait/ in ainer Sum[m]/ auff das kürtzest/ ainer yetwedern Historien volgendes Tittel begriffen vnd angezaigt wirdt / Erstlich in Hispanischer Sprach von Cortesio selbst beschriben/ Nachmals von Doctor Peter Sauorgnan auß Friaul in Lateinische sprach Transferiert/ Entlich aber in Hochteütsche sprach/ zů ehren vnd auß vnderthänigister gehorsame/ dem Allerdurchleüchtigisten/ Großmächtigisten Fürsten vn[d] Herrn/ Herrn Ferdinanden/ Römischen/ zů Hungern vnd Böhem etc. Künigen/ Jnfante[n] in Hispanien/ Ertzhertzogen zů Osterreich etc. von Xysto Betuleio vn[d] Andrea Diethero von Augspurg/ baiden daselbst gemainer Statt Lateinischen Schůlmaistern
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