I was wondering what is the most plausible PoD that also gives him the most chances for success.
When he sailed from Cuba against superior orders, he was already a traitor techically, but he made up for it by conquering Mexico for the crown. What if overtaken by fears that he will be hanged anyway, he declares his new conquests for himself instead?
Or when he was made governer, he was eventually ousted by his enemies, chiefly amongst them Diego Velasques, who held influence over the Royal Officials and Regent appointed to oversee him. But what if he outsmarts them, dissolves the Council of Indies and arrests the royal officers, and declares himself independent.
That certainly sounds like it'd be plausible, however, would an Emperor Hernan ruling over central mexico without allies be able to survive? At this point Spain was far from becoming the Empire it would.
When he sailed from Cuba against superior orders, he was already a traitor techically, but he made up for it by conquering Mexico for the crown. What if overtaken by fears that he will be hanged anyway, he declares his new conquests for himself instead?
Or when he was made governer, he was eventually ousted by his enemies, chiefly amongst them Diego Velasques, who held influence over the Royal Officials and Regent appointed to oversee him. But what if he outsmarts them, dissolves the Council of Indies and arrests the royal officers, and declares himself independent.
That certainly sounds like it'd be plausible, however, would an Emperor Hernan ruling over central mexico without allies be able to survive? At this point Spain was far from becoming the Empire it would.