Hola! Me llamo Hernan Cortes. I was born in Medellin, Spain in 1485. My parents, Martin Cortes and Catalina Pizarro Altamirano, were both in the middle class and lived scarce lives. Despite my sickly childhood, I still went to the University of Salamanca to study. However, I shortly returned home to pursue my own interests. I was drawn to the New World and wanted to pursue an adventurous lifestyle. My connections to famous explorers helped me get started in my dream of being an explorer. My father, Martin Cortes, was a distant relative of Nicolas de Ovando. I went to Santo Domingo with Ovando and he took me as an employee and gave me many important office positions. My family connections did not just end there, but I am also the cousin once removed of Francisco Pizarro, who conquered the Incas. Although some people described me as restless and mischievous, this was taken out of context because I was frustrated with the life I lived in the small provincial town of Medellin. My desire to be out exploring in the world also came from the rebellious teenager in me. Many things have come against my path that prevented me from going to the New World, but they didn’t succeed in stopping me. Despite the unlucky events that happened, my trips to the New World also had its benefits. For example, when I went to Santo Domingo with Nicolas de Ovando, I received a great deal of land and power over the Indians. I was also forced into my marriage with Catalina because of Velazquez and our family affairs. Shortly after my marriage, I was set to be in charge of an expedition to Mexico. There, I conquered the Aztecs and helped the Spanish gain control of northern Mexico. After my voyage to Mexico, King Charles I, also known as Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, appointed me as governor, general, and chief justice of “New Spain.” However, even though I was chosen to be governor and chief general, I still shared power with four other royal officials. I went through many trips back and forth from Mexico to Spain. There were many issues occurring in both countries and these issues led to the end of my expeditions. Although I had a lot of money, I used so much of my gold for expeditions, and became bankrupt by the time I was advanced in my years. I spent my last days in Mexico, was stricken with dysentery and died on December 2, 1547. Many believed that I died as a wealthy, bitter man. I asked to have my body rest in Mexico, but it was moved several times. I am famous for my expedition and conquest of Mexico and also wrote five reports to Emperor Charles V about my experience in Tenochtitlan. I hope that it did not only tell the Holy Roman Emperor how life in Tenochtitlan was like, but also other intellectuals who are also as interested in the New World as I was.
Dear Hernan Cortes,
ReplyDeleteI believe that my grandson has followed in my footsteps of supporting a voyager in finding new land. I am Isabella of Castile and I funded Columbus' trip and I can see that my grandson Charles V also funded you so that you may explore the land that Columbus discovered. I must say that even though you were after my time, without my grandson, you might not have been where you were in those days. I congratulate your brave voyage to the New World and I give the best regards to your death because though you may think it was bitter, it was still noble.
Hernan, you have led an extremely interesting life. Your interests in the New World have indeed helped with the development and expansion of Spain. It is unfortunate for the Aztecs to fall in your hands, but I suppose it did help Spain become more powerful. Your ambitions ultimately gave you the fame, money, and power that you sought. Your bravery in the New World is like no other, and it led to your prosperous life.
ReplyDelete-Sultan Suleiman I