Who sent Hernan Cortés to Mexico? How old was Hernán Cortés when he went to Mexico?

The Voyage of Hernán Cortés: From Spain to the Shores of Mexico

Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, the distinguished Spanish conquistador born around 1485 in Medellín, Spain, embarked on a journey that would significantly shape the history of the New World. His pivotal expedition to Mexico, setting sail at the age of 19, marked the commencement of a conquest that would lead to the fall of the Aztec Empire and the annexation of vast territories under the rule of the king of Castile.

In 1518, Diego Velázquez, a Spanish conquistador and governor of Cuba, entrusted Cortés with a monumental task: to lead an expedition aimed at exploring and securing the interior of Mexico for future colonization. Cortés, a relatively young man, accepted this ambitious assignment, seizing an opportunity that would define his legacy in the annals of history.

However, just as the expedition was on the brink of departure, a sudden turn of events altered the course of Cortés’ mission. Owing to a longstanding dispute between Velázquez and Cortés, the governor rescinded Cortés’s charter, casting uncertainty upon the future of the ambitious voyage.

Despite this revocation, Cortés’ determination and ambition persevered. Undeterred by Velázquez’s change of heart, Cortés, propelled by a fervor for exploration and driven by aspirations of conquest, defied the order and set sail for the New World. His age, a mere 19 years, did not hinder his resolution to seek new horizons and conquer uncharted territories.

Cortés’ journey did not begin with the assurance of support from the Spanish authorities but rather with the defiance of a rescinded order. His unwavering determination to forge a new path to the lands of Mexico, even against the will of his superior, illustrated his resolve and unyielding spirit.

The subsequent voyage to the New World marked the genesis of Cortés’ conquest and exploration of Mexico. It laid the groundwork for the audacious endeavors that culminated in the fall of the Aztec Empire and the eventual establishment of Spanish dominion over large portions of what is now mainland Mexico.

Hernán Cortés, a young man driven by ambition and fervor for exploration, defied the odds and set sail for Mexico at the tender age of 19, embarking on a journey that would irrevocably alter the course of history. His expedition, propelled by defiance and determination, paved the way for a conquest that would resonate through the ages.