Hernán Cortés's life went on a downward spiral towards his last days
The next thing that we want to mention in our list of interesting facts about Hernán Cortés, you may not know, Hernán Cortés' life spiraled downward in his final days. Hernán's attempt to take over Algiers failed in his quest to conquer more territory.
His restless desire to explore and conquer led him south to the jungles of Honduras in 1524. His health and position were both harmed by the two arduous years he spent on this disastrous expedition. His property was seized by the officials he had left in charge, and reports of their cruelty and the chaos it caused sparked concern in Spain. Cortés' fifth letter to the Spanish king attempts to justify his reckless behavior, concluding with a venomous attack on "various and powerful rivals and enemies" who have "obscured your Majesty's eyes." But it was his misfortune that he was dealing with an emperor who ruled most of Europe and had little time for distant colonies other than those that contributed to his treasury. When Ponce de León died almost immediately, the Spanish bureaucrats sent out a commission of inquiry, and Cortés was accused of poisoning him and forced to retire to his estate.
Cortés sailed to Spain in 1528 to personally plead his case to King Ferdinand. He arrived with a large amount of treasure and a magnificent entourage. Charles received him at his court in Toledo, confirmed him as captain-general (but not governor), and created him marqués del Valle. He also remarried, this time into a ducal family. He returned to New Spain in 1530 to find the country in anarchy and so many accusations leveled against him-including the murder of his first wife, Catalina, who died that year—that he retired to his estates in Cuernavaca, about 30 miles (48 km) south of Mexico City, after reasserting his position and restoring some sort of order. There, he concentrated on the construction of his palace and the exploration of the Pacific.
Finally, a viceroy was appointed, and Cortés returned to Spain in 1540. He was thoroughly disillusioned by that point, his life made miserable by litigation. Everything else is a letdown. "I am old, poor, and in debt...I have begged your Majesty many times..." He was eventually allowed to return to Mexico, but he died before reaching Sevilla (Seville).
