The Origin of Cortes

Hernan Cortes was born in 1485 in Medellin, Spain. Not much is known of his childhood, however he was educated in Salamanca before he grew bored of life in the Old World. As such, he sailed for the New World where fate would bring him to Cuba where he would gain the popularity and the political influence necessary for Governor Diego Velasquez to appoint him leader of the third expedition, a decision Velasquez would soon become unsettled by.

Within the winter of 1518, Cortes erected a small force of 350 men. With the culmination of seeing Cortes succeeding along with the whispers of his relatives frightening him of a potential power shift, Velasquez sought to strip his commander of power. Cortes, aware of the governor's apprehensiveness, was unfazed. Before Velasquez could decide whether or not to remove Cortes from power, Cortes boarded his 10 ships and sailed for Trinidad.

It was here where Cortes would recruit some of his famed captains, including: Pedro de Alvarado, Gonzalo de Sandoval, and Cristobal de Olid. He would also purchase another ship bringing his fleet to eleven. Velazquez, finally deciding it was time for Cortes to be relieved, sent messengers to the governor of Trinidad, however by the time they arrived, Cortes had a force stronger and more loyal than the port did, and was thus allowed to continue without quarrel.

He sailed next for old Havana, where he would gain the 16 horses that would prove vital to his expedition. Again, Velasquez attempted to strip Cortes of his power, this time by sending one of his personal lieutenants. Cortes, however, caught wind of this plot and set sail with a final tally of 508 men and 100 officers.