Ponce de León | Timeline

Juan Ponce de León y Figueroa (April 8, 1474 – July 1521) was a Spanish conquistador and explorer born in Santervás de Campos, Valladolid, Spain in 1474. Though probably an illegitimate son, he was of noble birth and served as a page and squire from young age, in the two last campaigns against moorish strongholds in Spain. He first came to the Americas as a "gentlemen volunteer" with Christopher Columbus's second expedition in 1493. Later, he came back to the Americas in Nicolás de Ovando's 1502 colonization voyage and became governor of Puerto Rico by 1509. From 1513, Juan Ponce de León begins exploring to the northwest, being the first european to baptize and set foot in today's Florida. In his second expedition to Florida in 1521, destined to found a small settlement, Ponce de León his hit in his thigh by a poisoned arrow and dies of his wound a few days later in Havana, Cuba.

April 8, 1474 - Santervás de Campos, Valladolid - Juan Ponce de León y Figueroa is born
January(?) 1(?), 1481 - Toral de los Guzmanes, Castilla y León - Page assigned to the House of Toral - received an education in fighting skills, manners, and religion while serving a knight named Pedro Nunez de Guzman
January(?) 1(?), 1487 - Toral de los Guzmanes, Castilla y León - Ponce de León becomes a squire
July(?) 1(?), 1489 - Almeria - Ponce de León becomes part of the force that was going south to retake the moorish stronghold of Almeria =(START)
September(?), 1489 - Toral de los Guzmanes - Back to the House of Toral. Ponce de León becomes the leader of the squires
April(?) 1(?), 1491 - Granada Region - The forces of the Catholic Kings move south to expel the muslims from Granada
October(?) 1(?), 1491 - Santa Fe, Granada - Spends much of the Autumn in the siege city of Santa Fe
January 2, 1492 - Santa Fe, Granada - The moors surrender. Ponce de León helps in the conquest of Granada
January 6, 1492 - Granada - Marches into Granada
April(?) 1(?), 1492 - Santervás de Campos, Valladolid - Leaves the House of Toral after more than 10 years. Helps an uncle increase his estate's crop output by reorganizing and providing better equipment for the peasants
September 24, 1493 - Cadiz - Columbus departs to the New World on his second Voyage, with 17 ships (15 caravels). Ponce de León goes on the expedition, as one of 200 "gentlemen volunteers"
October 13, 1493 - Canary Islands - Columbus leaves the Canary Islands on his way to the New World
November 3, 1493 - Dominica | Marie-Galante, Guadalupe - The armada of Columbus arrives to the Island of Dominica, on the Caribbean, after just 21 days of crossing the Atlantic. On the same day, they sail to the next island. of Guadalupe
November 4, 1493 - Guadalupe - Columbus explores the Island of Guadalupe
November 10, 1493 - Guadalupe - Departs heading north, baptizing the discovered islands on his way
November 19, 1493 - San Juan Bautista Island, Puerto Rico - Arrival in Puerto Rico
November 22, 1493 - Hispaniola - Columbus returns to Hispaniola, where the Spanish settled on the first voyage
March 12, 1494 - La Isabela, Dominican Republic - Departs in terrestrial expedition to Cibao
March(?) 19, 1494 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Hispaniola - Columbus builds the fort of Santo Tomás, in Santiago de los Caballeros
April 24, 1494 - La Isabela, Hispaniola - Columbus sails West with 3 ships
April 30, 1494 - Bahia de Bariay, NE Holguín, Cuba - Columbus lands in Cuba, baptizing it of "Isla de Juana" (Island of Juana)
May 3, 1494 - South of Cuba - Sailing in the south coast of Cuba
May 5, 1494 - Jamaica - Columbus arrives in Jamaica
May 13, 1494 - Jamaica - Columbus leaves Jamaica and sails towards Cuba
May 14, 1494 - South of Cuba - Sailing in the south coast of Cuba
September 29, 1494 - La Isabela, Hispaniola - Disillusioned for not finding China and Japan, Columbus returns to La Isabela
March 26, 1495 - La Isabela - Terrestrial expedition to make war against Caonabó, who is defeated by the spanish
March 10, 1496 - La Isabela - Columbus departs to Spain aboard the "Niña"
April 20, 1496 - Guadalupe - Columbus loads the ships with supplies on his way to Europe, via Madeira Island
June(?) 1(?), 1496 - Madeira Island, Portugal - Arrival in Madeira Island (speculative date)
June 11, 1496 - Cadiz - Columbus reaches Spain

February 1(?), 1502 - Seville - Nicolás de Ovando puts together a fleet of 32 ships and 2,500 men (1,500 colonists, mostly nobles). Sailing down the Guadalquivir River from Seville to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, youngsters Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, Ponce de León and Bartolomé de las Casas go on the expedition
February 13, 1502 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Castile and León - Ponce de León sails to the Indies in Nicolás de Ovando's expedition
April 15, 1502 - Santo Domingo, Hispaniola - Nicolás de Ovando arrives in Santo Domingo
January(?) 1(?), 1503(?) - Santo Domingo, Hispaniola - Marries Leonora, a Santo Domingo innkeeper's daughter
January(?) 1(?), 1504 - Higüey(?), Hispaniola - Ovando names Ponce de León deputy governor of Hispaniola after helping put down an indian uprising in the eastern province of the Island
January(?) 1(?), 1505 - Santo Domingo - Ovando authorizes Ponce de León to establish a new town in Higüey, which he named "Salvaleón"
January(?) 1(?), 1506 - Santo Domingo - Death of his wife Leonora, aged 29 =(crossofburgundyflag)
June 15, 1508 - Santo Domingo - Ponce de Léon receives licence from de De Ovando para reconnoiter/ocuppy Boriquén (Puerto Rico)
July 12, 1508 - Santo Domingo - Ponce de León sets sail to Boriquén (Puerto Rico)
August 3, 1508 - Yama River, E.Hispaniola - Ponce de León's ship sinks when he wanted to gather more men
August 8, 1508 - Caparra (Guaynabo), Borinquén (Puerto Rico) - Ponce de León founds the first spanish settlement in Borinquén (Puerto Rico) - Caparra (Today Guaynabo)
August 12, 1508 - Toa River - He disembarks in the River Toa and founds a settlement
September 12, 1508 - Pueblo viejo (between San juan and Bayamón) - Ponce de León builds a fort in a bay that he baptizes as "Puerto Rico"
April 1, 1509 - Santo Domingo - Ponce de León returns to Santo Domingo. After the success of his expedition, Ovando appoints him Governor of Puerto Rico
August 14, 1509 - (While in Puerto Rico) - King Ferdinand II confirms Ponce de León as Governor of Puerto Rico
February 1(?), 1511 - River Descalabrado, Puerto Rico - First battle of the campaign against the Taino indians
March 11, 1511 - Yahuecas, Puerto Rico - Ponce de León leads an incursion into the domain of Urayoán
July 21, 1511 - (While in Puerto Rico) - Royal decree in which King Ferdinand II of Aragón communicates to Ponce de León the decision of the Council to return to Diego Colón the governance of the island of Puerto Rico and therefore, leave him without the governance of it. The King in response to this legal decision and in payment for the good services provided by Ponce de León during his government decides to compensate him with the governance of another island that is not within the jurisdiction of Diego Columbus
February 23, 1512 - (While in Puerto Rico) - He is stripped of his title as Governor, however, receives a royal contract that gives him 3 years to look for the "Island of Biminy", north of Cuba
January 29, 1513 - Yuma, Higuey, Hispaniola - Ponce de León registers his expeditionary force
March 3, 1513 - Bahia de Aguadilla, NW Puerto Rico - Ponce de León sets sail with 3 ships to explore to the north of Cuba. These are the "Santiago", the "Santa Maria de la Consolación" and the "San Cristóbal"
March 8, 1513 - "El Viego", Grand Turk - Ponce de León anchors at Grand Turk Island
March 9, 1513 - "Caycos", E.Caicos - Ponce de León anchors at East Caicos
March 10, 1513 - "Yaguna", N.Caicos - Ponce de León anchors at North Caicos
March 12, 1513 - Mayaguana - The ships pass Mayaguana
March 13, 1513 - Samana Cay - The ships pass Samana Cay
March 14, 1513 - Long Bay, San Salvador Island (Bahamas) - Ponce de León reaches the site where Columbus first arrived in the New World in 1492. The ships are resupplied and re-rigged. Set sail on 25th
March 27, 1513 - Eleuthera Island, Bahamas - Ponce de León sails to the west
April 2, 1513 - Melbourne Beach, SE of Orlando, Florida - Ponce de León lands in Florida, and baptizes it as "La Florida" after the Flowery Easter (Pascoa Florida, in spanish)
April 8, 1513 - While trying to sail south, Ponce de León has the first encounter with the Gulf Stream
April 21, 1513 - Mouth of Saint Lucie River, Florida - Skirmishes with natives
May 4, 1513 - Biscayne Bay | Key Biscayne - The fleet reaches and names Biscayne Bay and takes on water at an island they name "Santa Marta" (Key Biscayne)
May 15, 1513 - Off the Florida Keys - Ponce de León sails along the Florida Keys
May 23, 1513 - Eventually they find a gap in the reefs and sail "to the north and other times to the northeast" until they reach the Florida mainland, where they encounter the Calusa, who refuse to trade and drive off the Spanish ships by surrounding them with warriors in sea canoes armed with long bows.
June 4, 1513 - Sanibel Island, Florida - While careening his carrack "Cristóbal", Ponce de León is attacked by 20 canoes
June 14, 1513 - Sanibel Island - Ponce de León, attacked again, decides to sail south
June 21, 1513 - Dry Tortugas (W. of Key West) - Ponce de León reaches the Dry Tortugas Islands
July 8, 1513 - Grand Bahama - Ponce de León retraces his route east along the Florida Keys, reaching Grand Bahama
October 10, 1513 - Puerto Rico - Ponce de León returns to Puerto Rico
April(?) 1(?), 1514 - Puerto Rico - Ponce de León departs to Spain to report the results of his expedition
April 30(?), 1514 - Bayona, Galicia - Spain - Ponce de León arrives in Spain after little over three weeks crossing the Atlantic
June(?) 1(?), 1514 - Santervás de Campos, Valladolid - Back home
September 27, 1514 - Valladolid - In Spain, Ponce de León is knighted  and appointed Governor of his newly discovered "Island of Florida"
September 30(?), 1514 - Seville - Visit to the "Casa de Contratación" in Seville
October(?) 1(?), 1514 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain - Works with "Casa de Contratación" to repair and outfit 3 caravels to his expedition to Guadalupe: The "Barbola", the "Santa Maria" and the "Santiago"
October 19, 1514 - (While in Sanlúcar de Barrameda) - The King confirms Ponce de León's new titles
May 14, 1515 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda - Ponce de León sets sail with the three caravels with their hulls painted black, and so they were referred as the "Black Fleet" - "Bárbara", "Santa Maria", "Santiago"
May 21(?), 1515 - Tenerife, Canary Islands - Ponce de León stops for water, minor repairs and fresh supplies
July 15, 1515 - Guadalupe - Arrival in Guadalupe. Imediate engagement with the caribs - 20 spanish are killed and the expedition fails
July 25, 1515 - San Juan, Puerto Rico - Ponce de León arrives in Puerto Rico
August 7, 1515 - San Juan - Letter to King Ferdinand about the failed expedition to Guadalupe
November 1(?), 1516 - Puerto Rico - Ponce de León sails with the 3 black caravels back to Seville
December(?) 15(?), 1516(?) - Seville(?) - Ponce de León arrives in Seville. His main objective is to meet the new King
January(?) 1(?), 1517(?) - Santervás de Campos, Valladolid - Back home. Ponce de León marries Juana de Pineda, a woman from Seville
February(?) 15(?), 1518 - Valladolid - Ponce de León meets the 17-year-old King Charles V, probably after the "Cortes" of Valladolid
March(?) 15(?), 1518 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda(?) - Married again Ponce de León departs to Puerto Rico
May 1(?), 1518 - Puerto Rico - Ponce de León returns to Puerto Rico with his new bride
September 12, 1519 - Puerto Rico - Ponce de León hands the post of Governor to his successor, Antonio de la Gama
February 10, 1521 - Puerto Rico - Letters to King Charles V and Cardinal Adrián de Tortosa
February 26, 1521 - Puerto Rico - Ponce de León sets sail to Florida to establish a permanent colony. The expedition consisted of 200 men, including priests, farmers and artisans, 50 horses and other domestic animals, and farming implements carried on two ships
June(?) 1(?), 1521 - Charlotte Harbour Estuary, W.Florida - Before any settlement, the colonists are attacked by the native Calusa warriors. Ponce de León is hit in the thigh by a poisoned arrow. The colonization attempt is abandoned
July(?) 1(?), 1521 - Havana, Cuba - Ponce de León arrives in Havana with gangrene in his leg
July 6(?), 1521 - Havana - Juan Ponce de León y Figueroa dies of his wound, aged 47 =(END)

Bibliography
CHIPLEY SLAVICEK, Louise - Juan Ponce de León
OBER, Frederic - Ponce de León

Pedro de Alvarado | Timeline

Pedro de Alvarado y Contreras (Badajoz, Spain, 1485 – Guadalajara, Mexico, 4 July 1541) was a Spanish conquistador and governor of Guatemala. He participated in the conquest of Cuba, in Juan de Grijalva's exploration of the coasts of the Yucatán Peninsula and the Gulf of Mexico, and in the conquest of Mexico led by Hernán Cortés. He is considered the conqueror of much of Central America, including Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. Although renowned for his skill as a soldier, Alvarado is known also for the cruelty of his treatment of native populations, and mass murders committed in the subjugation of the native peoples of Mexico. (Intro from Wikipedia)

January(?) 1(?), 1485 - Badajoz, Spain - Pedro de Alvarado y Contreras is born

January(?) 1(?), 1510 - Hispaniola - Alvarado arrives in Hispaniola =(START)
November 1(?), 1511 - Punta de Maisi, SE tip of Cuba - Alvarado sails to Cuba on the expedition of Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar - 4 ships and 400 men
January(?) 1(?), 1513 - He is appointed captain and in reward for the services rendered he received an indeterminate number of natives who would pay him tribute and provide him with free labor

April 1(?), 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Juan de Grijalva departs to Yucatán in expedition. One of the four ships is captained by Pedro de Alvarado.
April 12(?), 1518 - Cozumel Island, Yucatán, Mexico - They land at Cozumel Island and later in the Coast of Yucatán.

May 1, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Alvarado returns to Santiago de Cuba to take good news to the Governor. It doesn't take long to convince Velásquez of the success of a larger expedition, as Alvarado presents him with a small portion of gold, gemstones and other exotic objects obtained from the indians

October 23, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Hernán Cortés receives a command to obtain territories in Mexico. Alvarado joins him.

November 18, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Cortés weighs anchor with eleven ships and sails South to recruit soldiers and obtain supplies and weapons

February 10, 1519 - Guaniguanico, W of Cuba - Cortés gathers eleven small ships with 518 soldiers, 32 crossbowmen, 13 light cavalrymen, 10 horsemen, 110 sailors, 200 Indians and blacks, 10 cannons, 4 swivel cannons and 15 horses

February 18, 1519 - Guaniguanico, W of Cuba - Cortés sails to Mexico with his expedition. Soon they face a great storm

February 21, 1519 - Cozumel Island, Yucatán, Mexico - The expedition arrives to Cozumel Island, with a ship scattered somewhere. Cortés meets Gerónimo de Aguilar, who lived among the mayas for eight years

March 12, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - The expedition arrives on the Mouth of Grijalva River. The attempt to establish friendly relations with the local indians, since they were totally hostile, was useless. The confrontation was inevitable, but at least it allowed Pedro de Alvarado to demonstrate his qualities as a good soldier when at the head of a hundred men he fought bravely against the numerically superior Indians

March 24, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - Skirmishes with the mayas become a great battle. The Mayas panic as they see horses for the first time

April 17, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - The expedition sails West along the coast

April 21, 1519 - San Juan de Ulúa, Vera Cruz - Arrival to San Juan de Úlua, then, an island

April 22, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - Cortés founds "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz". He transfers his army to the continent and builds a fort. The spanish are welcomed.

April 24, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - A maya embassy arrives. Cortés communicates that he wants to meet the Emperor

May 1, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - Another maya embassy arrives, bringing with them even richer gifts to Cortés

May 10, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - In yet another visit, the maya ambassador transmits his emperor's rejection to Cortés' request

June 7, 1519 - Between Quiahuiztlan and Zempoala - Cortés changes his base to 70 kilometers north

June 28, 1519 - Between Quiahuiztlan and Zempoala - Battle between aztecs and totomac / zempoala rebels, supported by Cortés

July 1, 1519 - Vera Cruz - Return to Vera Cruz to direct tasks and order the manufacture of bricks

August 8, 1519 - Zempoala, Mexico - The defenses at Vera Cruz are completed and garrisoned. Cortés marches to Zempoala

August 16, 1519 - Zempoala, Mexico - Cortés renames Zempoala as Nueva Sevilla (New Seville) and departs to inland Mexico. Behind him, in Vera Cruz, he leaves 100 soldiers to guard the new town and receive reinforcements from Spain

August 31, 1519 - Tlaxcala Region - Cortés' vanguard enters in combat. The dead horses are hidden

September 12, 1519 - Tlaxcala Region - The leader of Tlaxcala, Xicoténcatl, asks for forgiveness to Cortés for the attacks

September 18, 1519 - Tlaxcala - Cortés enters in Tlaxcala, with great festivities in his honor

October 18, 1519 - Cholula, Mexico - Cholula Massacre. Cortés has aztec conspirators killed and sacks villages

November 1, 1519 - Cholula, Mexico - The Spanish army leaves Cholula devastated as Cortés heads to Huejotzingo

November 8, 1519 - Amecameca - Cortés arrives in Amecameca, after crossing the snow laden mountains of Popocatepl and Iztac

November 14, 1519 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés receives news of aztec attacks in Vera Cruz. Moctezuma is taken to the spanish headquarters and placed in check.

December 3, 1519 - Tenochtitlán - Cualpopoca, the aztec chief responsible for the Vera Cruz attacks, arrives with another fifteen officials and his sons. They are tortured and burned alive at Tenochtitlán's main square. Moctezuma is arrested.

May 29, 1520 - Zempoala, Mexico - During the night, Cortés' men climb to Zempoala's Pyramid where Pánfilo de Nárvaez slept and arrest him, wounding him in the eye with a pike. His army surrenders to Cortés.
June 24, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés returns to Tenochtitlán to reprimand Alvarado
June 25, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés releases Moctezuma's brother to open commerce, however, the aztecs attack

Noche Triste, July 1, 1520

June 28, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Spanish forces are stuck in Tenochtitlán by a large number of aztecs
June 29, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Moctezuma dies, three days after being stoned by his own people
July 1, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - "Noche Triste" (Sad Night). The Spanish army tries to sneak out of Tenochtitlán during the night of June 30th to July 1st seizing a thick mist. However, they are detected in one of Tenochtitlán's bridges, and unable to use horses and cannons, they are easy prey to the aztecs in canoes. 450 Spanish soldiers are killed, along with 46 horses and 4,000 tlaxcalan auxiliaries.
July 2, 1520 - Cuajimalpa, SW Tenochtitlán - Survivors of the "Noche Triste" arrive in Cuajimalpa
July 7, 1520 - Otumba (Toluca) - The Spanish are attacked by a large number of aztecs, but defeat them
July 11, 1520 - Tlaxcala Region - Cortés arrives in allied territory
August 1, 1520 - Cholula, Mexico - Cortés departs on a punitive expedition against Tepeaca
August 6, 1520 - Tepeaca - 400 Spanish and 40,000 tlaxcalans destroy 400 aztecs in battle. Cruelties are committed
September 15, 1520 - Tepeaca - Cortés is contacted by enemies of the aztecs and attracted to further expeditions
September 18, 1520 - Huaquechula, SW Puebla - Cortés attacks Huaquechula. The aztecs counterattack.
October(?) 1(?), 1520 - Izucar de Matamoros, SW Puebla - Izucar de Matamoros is attacked. 6,000 aztec warriors are massacred
October 15, 1520 - Tepeaca - Back to Tepeaca, Cortés meets with shipbuilders
December 13, 1520 - Tepeaca - Cortés leaves sixty men in Tepeaca and departs to Tlaxcala
December 25, 1520 - Tlaxcala - Cortés spends Christmas in Tlaxcala, with the army
December 27, 1520 - Tlaxcala - Cortés summons the allied chiefs and informs them of the beginning of the offensive for December 29th
January 1, 1521 - Coatepec, S of Texcoco - Cortés advances to Coatepec
January 2, 1521 - Texcoco - Cortés advances to Texcoco
January 9, 1521 - Iztapalapa, SE Tenochtitlán - Cortés advances to Iztapalapa
April 3, 1521 - Tlalmanalco, SE Tenochtitlán - Cortés advances to Tlalmanalco to disperse an aztec army
April 15, 1521 - Xochimilco, S of Tenochtitlán - The Spanish storm the city. Skirmishes against canoes on the next day
April 20, 1521 - Coyoacán, S of Tenochtitlán - Cortés marches to Coyoacán, which was deserted. Short reconaissance to Tenochtitlán
April 22, 1521 - Texcoco - Return to Texcoco
April 28, 1521 - Texcoco - Spanish ships are launched at Texcoco. Emissaries are sent to allies to prepare final attack
June 1, 1521 - Acachinanco, Texcoco - Cortés sets sail in his new ships
June 15, 1521 - Acachinanco, Texcoco - Advance against Iztapalapa
June 30, 1521 - Tlaltelolco, Central Tenochtitlán - Great assault to the central capital, where the Spanish are defeated
July 24, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés surprises Tenochtitlán's inhabitants and massacres 800 of them
August 3, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - The joint forces of Cortés and Alvarado kill 12,000 civilians
August 13, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - Fall of Tenochtitlán. Emperor Cuauhtémoc is caught while trying to escape
January 31, 1522 - Tututepeque (Tehuantepec Province) - Alvarado is put in front of an expedition composed of 40 soldiers on horseback, 200 infantrymen, 2 cannons and auxiliary indians. His mission: to suppress a native uprising in the province of Tehuantepec
July 1(?), 1523 - River Pánuco, Santisteban del Puerto Region - Alvarado is sent by Cortés to stop an intromission by Francisco de Garay, Governor of "Jamaica", that wanted to occupy territory conquered by Cortés' conquistadors aswell as the the new town of Santisteban del Puerto
December 6, 1523 - Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) - Cortés dispatches Alvarado to conquer territories south from Mexico, 160 horses, 300 footmen (160 of those crossbowmen and arquebusiers) and 4 cannons
January 15(?), 1524 - Tehuantepec - In his way south, Alvarado's troops arrive in Tehuantepec in the middle of January. Men and animals rest
February 13, 1524 - Tehuantepec - Alvarado resumes his march South
February 20, 1524 - Zapotitlán, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado defeats 10 to 12 thousand Quichés (K'iche' indians)
March 7, 1524 - Quezalteanango, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado destroys the capital. The indian chiefs are burned alive after confessing under torture that they planned the extermination of the spanish
April 11, 1524 - Utatlán, Guatemala - Letter to Cortés informing him of his conquests in Guatemala
April 12, 1524 - Iximche, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado arrives at Iximche. The natives of that region offered their friendship to the spanish since the beginning. They witnessed and participated in the destruction of their enemies by Alvarado
June 6, 1524 - River Paz, Guatemala-El Salvador border - Alvarado crosses the River Paz
June 8, 1524 - Acajutla, Sonsonate - El Salvador - As they reach the Pacific Ocean port of Acajutla, a native army of 6,000 is waiting for the spanish. The fight is ferocious with many dead and wounded, and even Alvarado is hit in the leg by an arrow. The spanish captain decides to move north and return to familiar territory as his leg starts infecting
June 17, 1524 - Cuzcatlán (future San Salvador) - Alvarado's column arrives in Cuzcatlán, where San Salvador would be founded in 1525. During the way from Acajutla, the spanish are attacked again but manage to decimate the indians again, even with Alvarado in poor condition
July 21, 1524 - Iximche, Guatemala - Alvarado returns to Iximche
July 24, 1524 - Iximche, Guatemala - Letter to Cortés informing him of his conquests in Guatemala
July 25, 1524 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - As the festivities of Santiago, patron of Spain, were approaching, Alvarado decides to found the city of Santiago de los Caballeros where Iximche existed
June 5, 1525 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Letter to the Lieutenant-Govenors of Mexico City
January 30, 1526 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Presides at the city council of Santiago de los Caballeros
February 7, 1526 - Xepach, Guatemala - Pedro de Alvarado destroys the secret capital of Xepach
September 3, 1526 - Temuxtitlán - Letter to Charles V about the desire to rescue the provinces of Utatlán and Guatemala
September 10(?), 1526 - Mexico City - Alvarado arives in Mexico City to rest
February 1(?), 1527 - Vera Cruz - Alvarado departs to Vera Cruz to take a ship to Spain. Back in the old country, his enemies, the same enemies of Cortés, spread gossip about Alvarado's excesses against the natives and his participation in the Tlatelolco massacre
May(?) 1(?), 1527 - Seville, Spain - Arrival in Seville after a long two and a half months of voyage
December 18, 1527 - Burgos, Spain - Interview with Emperor Charles V. Alvarado is named Governor of Guatemala. Alvarado, Cobos and Dr.Diego Beltrán, Advisor of the Indies, agree to a company contract to introduce 600 black slaves in the Indies, to work in the mines of Guatemala
December 20, 1527 - Burgos, Spain - Charles V grants Pedro de Alvarado the military title of "Adelantado"
January 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Alvarado marries Francisca de la Cueva.
June(?) 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Alvarado and Cortés ignore each other, because Alvarado had promised Cortés that he would marry Cecilia Vázquez, Cortes' cousin. Alvarado broke his promise and instead married Francisca de la Cueva
July 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Departs to Vera Cruz
October 1(?), 1528 - Vera Cruz, Mexico - Returns to Mexico. Francisca de la Cueva dies and is buried there
April 11, 1530 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Alvarado returns to Santiago and is formally accepted as the highest authority in the territory
May 8, 1530 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - The tired Cakchiqueles capitulate before Alvarado at Santiago. The conquistador was not generous, enslaving many of them and demanding tributes in gold
August 5, 1532 - Santiago de los Caballeros - Alvarado is given the faculty to conquer and populate the islands that he would find towards the South Sea (Pacific Ocean), as well as the mainland not granted to another Spanyard
September 1, 1532 - Santiago de los Caballeros - Letter to Charles V telling him that 8 ships were already built
January 18, 1534 - El Realejo, Nicaragua - Alvarado finishes directing the works of construction of a large fleet in Port of la Posesión (El Realejo)
January 23, 1534 - Iztapa (coast of Guatemala) - Pedro de Alvarado sets sail to Peru with 10 ships and an army of 500 spanish soldiers, 200 black slaves and more than 2,000 guatemalan indians
February 25, 1534 - Portoviejo, Manta - Equador - Alvarado lands in Portoviejo, with the intention of capturing Guayaquil
August 26, 1534 - Ambato, Equador - Agreement between Alvarado and Almagro. Many soldiers stay to join Pizarro's army
April 20, 1535 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Alvarado enters in Santiago totally defeated, humiliated and with the loss of everything invested in the enterprise
June 1(?), 1536 - Iver Ulua Valley, W Honduras - Alvarado defeats the indigenous resistance led by Cicumba
July 27, 1536 - Puerto Caballos, Honduras - Sets sail to Cuba
January(?) 1(?), 1537 - Cuba - Sets sail to Spain
February(?) 1(?), 1537 - Azores Islands - Alvarado arrives in the Azores, where he stays for a few months
August 1(?), 1537 - Lisbon, Portugal - Alvarado arrives in Lisbon and decides to take the route to the Spanish Court immediatly
October 17, 1538 - Alvarado marries Beatriz de la Cueva, sister of his first wife
January 1(?), 1539 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda - Alvarado and Beatriz de la Cueva depart to the New World
March 1(?), 1539 - Santo Domingo - The three ships (Santa Catalina, Santa María de Guadalupe and Trinidad) stop at Santo Domingo
April 4, 1539 - Puerto Caballos, Honduras - Alvarado arrives in Puerto Caballos, which they find empty and without the presence of spanyards. It was necessary to send a message to Santiago for the preparation of the movement of people and cargo
September 15, 1539 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - Alvarado and Beatriz de la Cueva arrive in Santiago de los Caballeros, after five months in with a road from Puerto Caballos was built
November 1(?), 1539 - Santiago de los Caballeros, Guatemala - While Alvarado meditates about his next expedition, 700 men and 14 ships are available
September 1(?), 1540 - Acajutla, Sonsonate - El Salvador - Alvarado sets sail to the north with 9 ships and 1,000 men
October(?) 1(?), 1540 - Barra de Navidad, SW Guadalajara - Alvarado's fleet stops at Navidad to replenish the ships with water and supplies. Alvarado receives a message from the Viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, requesting a meeting to discuss a matter of his interest
November 29, 1540 - Mexico City - Alvarado and the Viceroy of Mexico, Antonio de Mendoza, agree in mutual participations in their businesses
June 6, 1541 - Barra de Navidad, SW Guadalajara - Alvarado returns to his fleet and men in Navidad. Departs to Guadalajara
June 12, 1541 - Guadalajara - Alvarado and his men arrive in Guadalajara
June 24, 1541 - Nochistlán, NNE Guadalajara - Alvarado and his men put siege to the well defended Nochistlán. Alvarado has his ribs broken by a scared horse that steps in him
July 4, 1541 - Guadalajara - Alvarado dies days after the horse accident, aged 56 =(END)

Hernán Cortés | Timeline

Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano, Marquis of the Valley of Oaxaca; (1485 – December 2, 1547) 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. Cortés was part of the generation of Spanish colonizers who began the first phase of the Spanish colonization of the Americas. (intro from Wikipedia)

January(?) 1(?), 1485 - Medellín, Castille - Hernán Cortés de Monroy y Pizarro Altamirano is born

January(?) 1(?), 1499 - Salamanca - 14-year old Cortés is sent to Salamanca to study

February 1(?), 1502 - Seville - Nicolás de Ovando puts together a fleet of 32 ships and 2,500 men (1,500 colonists, mostly nobles). Sailing down the Guadalquivir River from Seville to Sanlúcar de Barrameda, youngsters Hernán Cortés, Francisco Pizarro, Ponce de León and Bartolomé de las Casas go on the expedition =(START)

February 13, 1502 - Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Castile and León - Cortés misses Ovando's expedition after fetting injured jumping out of a woman's window

April(?) 1(?), 1504 - Santo Domingo - Hernán Cortés arrives in Hispaniola with the expedition of Alonso Quintero, as a colonial officer and planter

August 29, 1506 - Santo Domingo - Hernán's father buys a passage to Spain for his son, aboard the "San Juan Bautista" =(crossofburgundyflag)

November(?) 1(?), 1511 - Punta de Maisi, SE tip of Cuba - Cortés sails to Cuba on the expedition of Diego Velázquez de Cuéllar - 4 ships and 400 men

October 23, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Hernán Cortés receives a command to obtain territories in México

November 18, 1518 - Santiago de Cuba - Cortés weighs anchor with eleven ships and sails South to recruit soldiers and obtain supplies and weapons

February 10, 1519 - Guaniguanico, West of Cuba - Cortes gathers eleven small ships with 518 soldiers, 32 crossbowmen, 13 light cavalrymen, 10 horsemen, 110 sailors, 200 Indians and blacks, 10 cannons, 4 swivel cannons and 15 horses

February 18, 1519 - Guaniguanico - Cortés sails to Mexico with his expedition. Soon they face a great storm

February 21, 1519 - Cozumel Island, Yucatán, Mexico - The expedition arrives to Cozumel Island, with a ship scattered somewhere. Cortés meets Gerónimo de Aguilar, who lived among the mayas for eight years

March 12, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - The expedition arrives on the Mouth of Grijalva River. The attempt to establish friendly relations with the local indians, since they were totally hostile, was useless. The confrontation was inevitable, but at least it allowed Pedro de Alvarado to demonstrate his qualities as a good soldier when at the head of a hundred men he fought bravely against the numerically superior Indians

March 24, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - Skirmishes with the mayas become a great battle. The Mayas panic as they see horses for the first time

April 17, 1519 - Mouth of Grijalva River - The expedition sails West along the coast

April 21, 1519 - San Juan de Ulúa, Vera Cruz - Arrival to San Juan de Úlua, then, an island.

April 22, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - Cortés founds "Villa Rica de la Vera Cruz". He transfers his army to the continent and builds a fort. The spanish are welcomed.

April 24, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - A maya embassy arrives. Cortés communicates that he wants to meet the Emperor

May 1, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - Another maya embassy arrives, bringing with them even richer gifts to Cortés

May 10, 1519 - Coast of Mexico opposite to San Juan de Úlua - In yet another visit, the maya ambassador transmits his emperor's rejection to Cortés' request

June 7, 1519 - Between Quiahuiztlan and Zempoala - Cortés changes his base to 70 kilometers north

June 28, 1519 - Between Quiahuiztlan and Zempoala - Battle between aztecs and totomac / zempoala rebels, supported by Cortés

July 1, 1519 - Vera Cruz - Return to Vera Cruz to direct tasks and order the manufacture of bricks

August 8, 1519 - Zempoala, Mexico - The defenses at Vera Cruz are completed and garrisoned. Cortés marches to Zempoala

August 16, 1519 - Zempoala - Cortés renames Zempoala as Nueva Sevilla (New Seville) and departs to inland Mexico. Behind him, in Vera Cruz, he leaves 100 soldiers to guard the new town and receive reinforcements from Spain

August 31, 1519 - Tlaxcala Region - Cortés' vanguard enters in combat. The dead horses are hidden

September 12, 1519 - Tlaxcala Region - The leader of Tlaxcala, Xicoténcatl, asks for forgiveness to Cortés for the attacks

September 18, 1519 - Tlaxcala - Cortés enters in Tlaxcala, with great festivities in his honor

October 18, 1519 - Cholula, Mexico - Cholula Massacre. Cortés has aztec conspirators killed and sacks villages

November 1, 1519 - Cholula - The Spanish army leaves Cholula devastated as Cortés heads to Huejotzingo

November 8, 1519 - Amecameca - Cortés arrives in Amecameca, after crossing the snow laden mountains of Popocatepl and Iztac

November 14, 1519 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés receives news of aztec attacks in Vera Cruz. Moctezuma is taken to the spanish headquarters and placed in check.

December 3, 1519 - Tenochtitlán - Cualpopoca, the aztec chief responsible for the Vera Cruz attacks, arrives with another fifteen officials and his sons. They are tortured and burned alive at Tenochtitlán's main square. Moctezuma is arrested.

May 29, 1520 - Zempoala, Mexico - During the night, Cortés' men climb to Zempoala's Pyramid where Pánfilo de Nárvaez slept and arrest him, wounding him in the eye with a pike. His army surrenders to Cortés.

June 24, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés returns to Tenochtitlán to reprimand Alvarado

June 25, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés releases Moctezuma's brother to open commerce, however, the aztecs attack

June 28, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Spanish forces are stuck in Tenochtitlán by a large number of aztecs

"Noche Triste", July 1, 1520

June 29, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - Moctezuma dies, three days after being stoned by his own people

July 1, 1520 - Tenochtitlán - "Noche Triste" (Sad Night). The Spanish army tries to sneak out of Tenochtitlán during the night of June 30th to July 1st seizing a thick mist. However, they are detected in one of Tenochtitlán's bridges, and unable to use horses and cannons, they are easy prey to the aztecs in canoes. 450 Spanish soldiers are killed, along with 46 horses and 4,000 tlaxcalan auxiliaries.
July 2, 1520 - Cuajimalpa, SW Tenochtitlán - Survivors of the "Noche Triste" arrive in Cuajimalpa
July 7, 1520 - Otumba (Toluca) - The Spanish are attacked by a large number of aztecs, but defeat them
July 11, 1520 - Tlaxcala Region - Cortés arrives in allied territory
August 1, 1520 - Cholula - Cortés departs on a punitive expedition against Tepeaca
August 6, 1520 - Tepeaca - 400 Spanish and 40,000 tlaxcalans destroy 400 aztecs in battle. Cruelties are committed
September 15, 1520 - Tepeaca - Cortés is contacted by enemies of the aztecs and attracted to further expeditions.
September 18, 1520 - Huaquechula, SW Puebla - Cortés attacks Huaquechula. The aztecs counterattack.
October(?) 1(?), 1520 - Izucar de Matamoros, SW Puebla - Izucar de Matamoros is attacked. 6,000 aztec warriors are massacred
October 15, 1520 - Tepeaca - Back to Tepeaca, Cortés meets with shipbuilders
December 13, 1520 - Tepeaca - Cortés leaves sixty men in Tepeaca and departs to Tlaxcala
December 25, 1520 - Tlaxcala - Cortés spends Christmas in Tlaxcala, with the army
December 27, 1520 - Tlaxcala - Cortés summons the allied chiefs and informs them of the beginning of the offensive for December 29th
January 1, 1521 - Coatepec, South of Texcoco - Cortés advances to Coatepec
January 2, 1521 - Coatepec, South of Texcoco - Cortés advances to Texcoco
January 9, 1521 - Iztapalapa, SE Tenochtitlán - Cortés advances to Iztapalapa
April 3, 1521 - Tlalmanalco, SE Tenochtitlán - Cortés advances to Tlalmanalco to disperse an aztec army
April 15, 1521 - Xochimilco, South of Tenochtitlán - The Spanish storm the city. Skirmishes against canoes on the next day
April 20, 1521 - Coyoacán, South of Tenochtitlán - Cortés marches to Coyoacán, which was deserted. Short reconaissance to Tenochtitlán
April 22, 1521 - Texcoco - Return to Texcoco
April 28, 1521 - Texcoco - Spanish ships are launched at Texcoco. Emissaries are sent to allies to prepare final attack
June 1, 1521 - Acachinanco, Texcoco - Cortés sets sail in his new ships
June 15, 1521 - Acachinanco - Advance against Iztapalapa
June 30, 1521 - Tlaltelolco, Central Tenochtitlán - Great assault to the central capital, where the Spanish are defeated
July 24, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - Cortés surprises Tenochtitlán's inhabitants and massacres 800 of them
August 3, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - The joint forces of Cortés and Alvarado kill 12,000 civilians
August 13, 1521 - Tenochtitlán - Fall of Tenochtitlán. Emperor Cuauhtémoc is caught while trying to escape
November 1, 1522 - Coyoacán, Mexico City - Catalina Juarez Marcaida, the first wife of Cortés, dies.
December 6, 1523 - Tenochtitlán (Mexico City) - Cortés dispatches Alvarado to conquer territories south from Mexico, 160 horses, 300 footmen (160 of those crossbowmen and arquebusiers) and 4 cannons
October(?) 1(?), 1524 - Mexico City - Cortés departs to Honduras to break a rebellion lead by Olid
February(?) 1(?), 1525 - Ixcateopan de Cuahtémoc - Cortés arrives in Ixcateopan after a long hard way through the jungle
February 20, 1525 - Ixcateopan de Cuahtémoc - Cortés orders the hanging of Cuauhtémoc and a franciscan, for conspiracy
(information needed - Cortés in Havana)
May 13, 1526 - Havana, Cuba - Letter sent from Cortés about the alliances made in Mexico, just before setting sail to Vera Cruz
May 24, 1526 - Vera Cruz - Cortés arrives in Vera Cruz after a visit to Havana
June(?) 1(?), 1526 - Mexico City - Cortés returns to Mexico City in triumph
March 17, 1528 - San Juan de Ulúa, Vera Cruz - Cortés boards a ship bound to Spain
May(?) 1(?), 1528 - Seville(?) - Cortés arrives in Spain to ask for more Colonial power
June(?) 1(?), 1528 - Seville - Pedro de Alvarado spends the year of 1528 in Seville. Alvarado and Cortés ignore each other, because Alvarado had promised Cortés that he would marry Cecilia Vázquez, Cortes' cousin. Alvarado broke his promise and instead married Francisca de la Cueva
July 6, 1529 - Barcelona - Emperor Charles V grants Cortés lands and the title of Marquis of Oaxaca Valley
July 26, 1529 - Toledo - Cortés meets Francisco Pizarro
(information needed - Voyage to Mexico in 1530)
July 15, 1530 - Vera Cruz - Cortés lands in Vera Cruz with his new wife, Juana de Zuniga
June 30, 1532 - Mexico City - Cortés sends his cousin, Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, to explore the Pacific Coast and islands
November 1(?), 1532 - Puerto de Santiago (Manzanillo, Colima) - Cortés settles in Manzanillo to prepare an expedition to the Pacific Coast
September 4, 1534 - Toluca - Cortés receives a royal letter in an audience, ordering a stop in the explorations
January(?) 1(?), 1535 - Colima - Another expedition begins
February 24, 1535 - Nayarit - Passage through Nayarit
May 3, 1535 - Pichilingue, Acapulco - Arrival in Pichilingue
April 17, 1536 - Acapulco - Cortés signs a contract with the Merchant Juan Domingo de Espinoza
January 1(?), 1540 - Vera Cruz - Cortés boards a ship bound to Spain
January 31(?), 1540 - Seville(?) - Arrival in Spain

Hernán Cortés, c.1540

April 10, 1540 - Valladolid (?) - Cortés is received coldly in audience with Charles V
September 28, 1541 - Palma, Majorca - Cortés sets sail with the royal armada to Argel
October 19, 1541 - In front of Algiers - After facing contrary winds for many days, the armada arrives in front of Algiers
October 23, 1541 - Near Algiers - As it starts raining and winding, the soldiers are bogged down and some of the landing ships sink
October 25, 1541 - Near Algiers - Landing of the soldiers
November 23, 1541 - In front of Algiers - Departure to the high seas
December 3, 1541 - Cartagena - Return to Cartagena
January(?) 1(?), 1542 - Valladolid - Cortés establishes himself in the humanist environment of Valladolid, restarting his business
July(?) 1(?), 1542 - Monzón, Aragon - Charles V arrives in Monzón. Cortés meets Bartolomé de las Casas
August 1(?), 1542 - Barcelona - Cortés follows Charles V to Barcelona
November 12, 1543 - Salamanca - Cortés attends Felipe II's marriage
February 3, 1544 - Valladolid - Cortés sends a letter to the Emperor, asking for a reward after a lifetime of conquests
January(?) 1(?), 1545 - Seville - Cortés moves to Sevilla with the intention of travelling again to the New World, maybe dying there
December 2, 1547 - Castilleja de la Cuesta, Seville - Hernán Cortés dies, aged 62, as he was preparing to sail to Mexico. =(END)