Hernán Cortés - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

Hernán Cortés was born in 1485 in Medellín, a small town in western Spain.

Hernán Cortés's full name was Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano.

Hernán Cortés came from a family of minor Spanish nobility called hidalgos.

Hernán Cortés earned the title "Marqués del Valle de Oaxaca" from the King of Spain in 1529.

Hernán Cortés was appointed governor and captain general of New Spain after the conquest, but he did not hold full power for long as the King of Spain later limited his authority.

Early Life & Background

Hernán Cortés grew up in Medellín, Spain, but the house he lived in no longer stands today—only remains and a marker show where it once was.

Hernán Cortés was often sick as a child but grew into a strong and adventurous young man.

Hernán Cortés learned to ride horses and use weapons like a sword and lance while he was still young, especially during his teenage years before he left school.

Hernán Cortés spoke Spanish at home and relied on translators, like La Malinche, to communicate with Native American peoples during the conquest.

Hernán Cortés grew up in Extremadura, Spain, a region that became famous for producing many explorers and conquistadors who sailed to the Americas looking for adventure and riches.

Hernán Cortés grew up as an only child in his family, surrounded by relatives in his hometown.

Education & Development

Hernán Cortés studied at the University of Salamanca when he was about 14 years old.

Hernán Cortés learned Latin, which was the language of educated people in his time.

Hernán Cortés studied law but decided to become an explorer instead.

Hernán Cortés trained in fighting and leadership from real experience with Spanish soldiers and veterans during his time in the Caribbean and Cuba, where he learned military skills and how to lead men before heading to Mexico.

Career & Achievements

Hernán Cortés sailed to the Americas in 1504 when he was just 19 years old.

Hernán Cortés helped build and lead Spanish settlements in the Caribbean after he arrived in Hispaniola and later took part in the conquest and government of Cuba, where he served as a town leader and helped run new Spanish towns before his expedition to Mexico.

Hernán Cortés led an expedition to Mexico in 1519 with 11 ships and about 500 men.

Hernán Cortés wrote detailed letters to the King of Spain about his discoveries.

Personal Life

Hernán Cortés enjoyed riding horses and brought prized horses like Morzillo with him on his journeys, which helped make him and his men fearsome to people who had never seen horses before.

Hernán Cortés had many children—both before and after his second marriage—and he made sure they were provided for in his will, even having the Church legitimize some of them so they could inherit from him.

Impact & Legacy

Hernán Cortés's expeditions changed how Europeans understood the Americas.

Hernán Cortés's letters and reports helped people learn about Mexican civilization.

Hernán Cortés helped bring horses back to mainland North America when he arrived in Mexico in 1519 with about 16 horses, and these Spanish horses later spread across the continent and changed how many Native peoples lived and traveled.