By Enrique McKinney

Hernando Cortes was born in 1485 He was born in the kingdom of Castile in the city of Medellin Spain He had an upper class family though his parents weren’t wealth. He was also the families only son.

Left is a picture of a home in Spain. Right is a castle of old Spain.

At the age of 14 his parents sent him to the University of Salamanca to study law At school he learned a little Latin and became good at writing. After 2 years he had failed school and went home where he was not happy. He heard about the “New World” and wanted to be a part of it.

Pictures of the Salamanca school

In 1504 Hernan boarded a ship commanded by Alonso Quintero, heading for the west. Alonso wanted to keep the treasure for himself so he tried to sneak away but he was unsuccessful. When Hernan reached Hispaniola which is now The Dominican Republic and Haiti. He was granted a piece of land but did not settle down. He was often in the military, supervising native uprisings.

Pictures of Hispaniola and early villages in Hispaniola

Mexico was just newly discovered when Hernan Cortes was allowed to lead a small expedition to explore. The governor cancelled the expedition but Hernan went any ways and on February He was 34 year old when he left. He landed in Yucatán and met Jeronimo de Aguilar a Franciscan priest who knew Mayan area.

Pictures of Yucatan Mexico and a Mayan temple.

While in Mexico Cortes met his future wife who Mayan and their language. He took his men to Veracruz to search for gold, money and power. He said he was acting under the control of Emperor Charles V. but, he was actually taking control of land and wealth

Pictures of Veracruz Mexico and Hernan meeting a Mayan solider

Hernan Cortes was to become the governor of New Spain, which is what his new territory was arrogantly called. He was constantly seeking to get power, increase his wealth, and put down his enemies. But in 1526 he was suspended in his role as Governor. He retained much of his power, but was increasingly opposed by his enemies. Suspected of poisoning new leadership, he returned to Spain in He would never be governor again.