Hernan Cortes was once celebrated and is now viewed by many as cruel.
Ironically if one were to visit Aztec culture in the 15th and 16th centuries, then they would probably view the Aztecs as equally cruel.
Cortes did not have too much difficulty in finding other natives who wanted to overthrow the Aztecs and their tyrannical practices of eugenics.
Also Read: Famous Spanish Conquistadors
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He was considered a military genius, and although controversial, he did conquer an entire civilization with much resourcefulness and a bit of luck or divine intervention. (European disease killed most able-bodied Aztec warriors after his first failed attempt.)
After the conquest, he inspired a new generation of Conquistadors and changed Spanish power for over a century. It would also be the beginning of European colonization in the New World.
Also Read: 15 Facts About Hernan Cortes
He died a wealthy man, but in Spain and not in the New World, he helped create.
Family Overview
Hernan Cortes was, unfortunately, a man of his time, which made his family tree extremely hard to follow.
He was the only child from a noble family and eventually went on to marry at least twice, but possibly three times. He would have more illegitimate children than legitimate which included a son by the Native American guide Malinche.
The details of his children are a bit muddled as well since some had similar names. Their biographies seem to cross over often, and it becomes difficult to tell who did what.
Also Read: Hernan Cortes Timeline
It is clear that his surviving children did seem to find some success and live in some comfort. It does seem as though they had short lifespans.
These family lines hold true for many Spanish Conquistadors because they were promiscuous.
Family Tree Chart
Parents:
Martin Cortes (1449 - Unknown) - He was Spanish nobility and had his son Hernan Cortes.
Catalina Pizarro Altamirano (1450 - Unknown) - She was from a wealthy family and married into nobility. It is unknown when she died.
Spouse:
Catalina Suárez Marcaida (1495–1522) - She was his first wife. They were married in Cuba in 1519. She died in 1522, shortly after giving birth to their two children, who also died shortly after birth.
Juana Ramirez de Arellano y Zuniga (Unknown) - She gave Cortes his only legitimate child to live into adulthood.
Children:
Each of Hernan Cortes' children who lived into adulthood was illegitimate. He had two children that were legitimate during his first marriage, but they both died in infancy.
Listed next to each is the believed mother of each of the children. Malinche is known as the woman with whom Cortes could not have conquered the Aztecs.
Martín Cortés (1530) - He died shortly after birth.
Catalina Cortés (1531) - He died shortly after birth.
Martín Cortés (1522 - 1595) - He was the first-born and illegitimate son of Hernán Cortés and Doña Marina, the conquistador’s interpreter and concubine. In June 1528, Hernan Cortes took Martin on his journey to meet the emperor Charles V. In 1529, Hernán Cortés hired a lawyer to petition Pope Clement VII to legitimize Martín. The pope agreed. He grew up in the court of Queen Isabella and lived a life of privilege but also had some hardships. He had two children.
Luis Cortés (1524 - 1566?) - He was the second legitimate son of Cortés from his mistress Juana Hernández. He was given a family name. He was not as successful as his brother Martín, but he did serve in the Spanish army. He possibly died in 1566.
Juana Cortés (1526 - unknown) - He fathered his wife Juana Ramirez de Arellano y Zuniga, and she was the only legitimate daughter of Cortés. She was named after her mother. She was not as well-educated as her brothers, but she did marry a wealthy Spanish nobleman. Her time of death is unknown, but she did produce a son who would become an heir.
Leonor Cortés (1528 - 1568?) Possibly fathered his wife Leonor Pizarro and was the youngest legitimate child of Cortés. She was named after her mother's sister. She was not as well-known as her siblings, but she did marry a Spanish nobleman. She died in 1568.
María Cortés (1530 - 1550?) He was the illegitimate daughter of Cortés. She was named after her mother. She was not as well-educated as her siblings, but she did marry a Spanish nobleman. She died in 1550.
Siblings: None