![](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Hern%C3%A1n_Cort%C3%A9s_Monroy_y_Pizarro.jpg) (1485-1547) Spanish-born conquistador who sailed to [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Hispaniola]] in 1504 at age 18 and participated in the conquest of Cuba. Cortés was granted an [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Encomienda]] and became a magistrate in Santiago, Cuba and secretary to the governor, [Velázquez](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diego_Vel%C3%A1zquez_de_Cu%C3%A9llar). Over time, his relationship with the governor deteriorated; so when Cortés got the chance to lead an expedition into Mexico, he jumped on it before Velázquez could take it away. He landed in Veracruz and promptly burned his ships to eliminate any chance of retreat. He won a skirmish against the local Tabasco tribe and received twenty native women in the settlement of the dispute. Among these was [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Malintzin]], who spoke both the local Maya language and Nahuatl, the [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Aztec]] language. She learned Spanish and became his interpreter and concubine, bearing a son named Martín Cortés. ![[Dan's History Web/US 1/US1 Media/Ruta_de_Cortés.svg]] The conquest of [[Tenochtitlán]], a city of 200,000, by a force of a few hundred Spaniards would not have been possible without the help of native adversaries of the Aztec, and the diseases that spread rapidly and caused social chaos in the native world. After defeating the Aztecs, Cortés established Mexico City on the ruins of Tenochtitlán. In return for his conquest of New Spain, Cortés was ennobled by King [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Charles V|Charles I]] and granted the entire Valley of Oaxaca as his [[Dan's History Web/US 1/Topic Index/Encomienda]]. This was one of the wealthiest regions of New Spain, and Cortés controlled over 23,000 native vassals and several silver mines. In the 1530s, Cortés continued exploring regions like the Gulf of California. In 1541, he returned to Spain to defend himself against the complaints of his political rivals. He planned to return to Mexico in 1547, but died of illness before he could make the trip. His son Martín inherited his titles and properties.