Hernan cortes biography timeline books

He spent much of his later years desperately seeking recognition for his achievements and support from the Spanish royal court. We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! Was Christopher Columbus a Hero or Villain? Christopher Columbus. Sir Walter Raleigh. Ferdinand Magellan.

Hernan cortes biography timeline books

This led to a power struggle between Cortes and Velazquez that would result in multiple allegations and lawsuits against Cortes. He then returned to Spain to defend his reputation. He left Juan Altamirano and Alonso Valiente in Mexico to act as his representatives during his absence. Cortes presented himself in great splendor before Charles V's court.

By this time, Charles had returned from his travels, and Cortes forthrightly responded to the charges against him. He denied that he had held back any gold from the crown, and in fact, he showed that he had contributed more than the required one-fifth. He had also spent lavishly to build the new capital of Mexico City on the ruins of the Aztec capital of Tenochtitlan, which had been leveled during the siege that brought down the Aztec empire.

King Charles V gave him many distinctions and titles. He also remarried a Spanish noblewoman prior to returning to Mexico. This division of power led to continual dissension between the two men and caused the failure of several enterprises in which Cortes was engaged. When Cortes returned to Mexico in , he found the country in a state of anarchy.

He reasserted himself and brought the country under control. Also Read: Age of Exploration Timeline. He was in his early 60s at his death. They dropped anchor at Tabasco , where he gained intelligence from locals about the land he desired to conquer. They also gave him gifts in the form of 20 women. According to some accounts, he sunk all but one of his ships before sending the intact one back to Spain.

There would be no retreat for his men, only conquest. By the time he arrived in Mexico, the Aztecs had come to rule over small states and some 5 to 6 million people. When they became sick, others accused Cortes of poisoning them. Cortes returns to Spain Cortes had to return to Spain to prove his innocence to the King. Cortes returned to Mexico Cortes was freed from the charges and returned to Mexico, although the king had demoted him from governor.

Cortes dies Hernan Cortes died at the age of In his later life he was mostly ignored and barely respected. He left a legacy of a great explorer, but also of a man full of greed.