Martín Cortés (son of doña Marina)
Encyclopedia
Martín Cortés el Mestizo (1523? - circa 1595) was the first-born and illegitimate son of Hernán Cortés
and Doña Marina
(who was the conquistador’s interpreter). He is considered to be one of the first mestizo
s of New Spain
and is known as “El Mestizo.” His exact date of birth is not precisely known.
Martín traveled with his father to Spain
where he was admitted into the Order of Santiago
and was a page under Philip II of Spain
. In 1529, Cortés had his illegitimate children legitimated by Pope Clement VII
.
Martín Cortés returned to New Spain with his two half-brothers in 1563, and as his half brother was the heir to the Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca, he was received as would correspond to his status. Hernan Cortés's children entered Mexico City
on January 17, 1563.
The New Laws
of 1542 effectively impeded the inheritance of encomienda
s. Martín’s younger half brother (also named Martín Cortés) led a protest against these laws known as the Conspiración de Martín Cortés. "El Mestizo" participated in the movement.
The Real Hacienda
denounced the acts to the Viceroy as a direct attack upon King Philip II and the conspirators were arrested. Amongst those arrested were Cortes’s three sons. Several members of the conspiracy were executed. A few days later the Viceroy Gastón de Peralta intervened directly and released Cortes’s three sons.
The Real Hacienda, wanting harsher action complained directly to King Philip II of Spain
and falsely accused the viceroy of subversion. The Viceroy was removed from office, tried for disloyalty, and sent back to Spain.
Cortés was subjected to torture and was sentenced to indefinite exile in Spain. His torturer was reproached by King Philip II personally, sent back to Spain and found dead in his room one day after having met with the king.
In 1574 the king offered condolences to the children of Hernán Cortés and they were all exonerated of any wrongdoing.
"El Mestizo" married Bernardina de Porras and had one son named Hernando. He died in Spain sometime before the turn of the seventeenth century (1595 is mentioned as a possible date).
Hernán Cortés
Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro, 1st Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca was a Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition that caused the fall of the Aztec Empire and brought large portions of mainland Mexico under the rule of the King of Castile in the early 16th century...
and Doña Marina
La Malinche
La Malinche , known also as Malintzin, Malinalli or Doña Marina, was a Nahua woman from the Mexican Gulf Coast, who played a role in the Spanish conquest of Mexico, acting as interpreter, advisor, lover and intermediary for Hernán Cortés...
(who was the conquistador’s interpreter). He is considered to be one of the first mestizo
Mestizo
Mestizo is a term traditionally used in Latin America, Philippines and Spain for people of mixed European and Native American heritage or descent...
s of New Spain
New Spain
New Spain, formally called the Viceroyalty of New Spain , was a viceroyalty of the Spanish colonial empire, comprising primarily territories in what was known then as 'América Septentrional' or North America. Its capital was Mexico City, formerly Tenochtitlan, capital of the Aztec Empire...
and is known as “El Mestizo.” His exact date of birth is not precisely known.
Biography
Soon after his birth, Martín Cortés was separated from his mother and put into the care of a cousin of Hernán Cortés, Juan de Altamirano.Martín traveled with his father to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
where he was admitted into the Order of Santiago
Order of Santiago
The Order of Santiago was founded in the 12th century, and owes its name to the national patron of Galicia and Spain, Santiago , under whose banner the Christians of Galicia and Asturias began in the 9th century to combat and drive back the Muslims of the Iberian Peninsula.-History:Santiago de...
and was a page under Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
. In 1529, Cortés had his illegitimate children legitimated by Pope Clement VII
Pope Clement VII
Clement VII , born Giulio di Giuliano de' Medici, was a cardinal from 1513 to 1523 and was Pope from 1523 to 1534.-Early life:...
.
Martín Cortés returned to New Spain with his two half-brothers in 1563, and as his half brother was the heir to the Marquisate of the Valley of Oaxaca, he was received as would correspond to his status. Hernan Cortés's children entered Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
on January 17, 1563.
The New Laws
New Laws
The New Laws, in Spanish Leyes Nuevas, issued November 20, 1542 by King Charles V of Spain regarding the Spanish colonization of the Americas, are also known as the "New Laws of the Indies for the Good Treatment and Preservation of the Indians", and were created to prevent the exploitation of the...
of 1542 effectively impeded the inheritance of encomienda
Encomienda
The encomienda was a system that was employed mainly by the Spanish crown during the colonization of the Americas to regulate Native American labor....
s. Martín’s younger half brother (also named Martín Cortés) led a protest against these laws known as the Conspiración de Martín Cortés. "El Mestizo" participated in the movement.
The Real Hacienda
Treasury
A treasury is either*A government department related to finance and taxation.*A place where currency or precious items is/are kept....
denounced the acts to the Viceroy as a direct attack upon King Philip II and the conspirators were arrested. Amongst those arrested were Cortes’s three sons. Several members of the conspiracy were executed. A few days later the Viceroy Gastón de Peralta intervened directly and released Cortes’s three sons.
The Real Hacienda, wanting harsher action complained directly to King Philip II of Spain
Philip II of Spain
Philip II was King of Spain, Portugal, Naples, Sicily, and, while married to Mary I, King of England and Ireland. He was lord of the Seventeen Provinces from 1556 until 1581, holding various titles for the individual territories such as duke or count....
and falsely accused the viceroy of subversion. The Viceroy was removed from office, tried for disloyalty, and sent back to Spain.
Cortés was subjected to torture and was sentenced to indefinite exile in Spain. His torturer was reproached by King Philip II personally, sent back to Spain and found dead in his room one day after having met with the king.
In 1574 the king offered condolences to the children of Hernán Cortés and they were all exonerated of any wrongdoing.
"El Mestizo" married Bernardina de Porras and had one son named Hernando. He died in Spain sometime before the turn of the seventeenth century (1595 is mentioned as a possible date).