Early Life
Hernando (also know as Hernan) Cortéz was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain, and was apparently a very sickly, frail child. Destined for the law, however, Cortéz was sent to the university of Salamanca when he was just 14 years old. Unfortunately, school wasn't exactly his 'thing' so he dropped out and went back home in 1501. Three years later, however, in 1504, he sailed for Santo Domingo (Modern-day Dominican Republic), and moved to Cuba in 1511. There, Cortéz helped Diego Velasquez in his conquest of the island, and formed a reputation for being courageous and daring.
His father, Martín Cortéz de Monroy, was an infantry captain of distinguished ancestry but also somewhat poor. Hernán's mother was Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. Through his mother, Hernándo was the second cousin once removed of Francisco Pizarro, who eventually conquered the Inca Empire (not to be confused with the Francisco Pizarro who assisted Cortés to conquer the Aztecs). And, throughout his life, he had a mistress, two sons, three wives and four daughters.
His father, Martín Cortéz de Monroy, was an infantry captain of distinguished ancestry but also somewhat poor. Hernán's mother was Catalina Pizarro Altamirano. Through his mother, Hernándo was the second cousin once removed of Francisco Pizarro, who eventually conquered the Inca Empire (not to be confused with the Francisco Pizarro who assisted Cortés to conquer the Aztecs). And, throughout his life, he had a mistress, two sons, three wives and four daughters.