Adelantado facts for kids
Adelantado (pronounced ah-deh-lahn-TAH-doh) was a special title given to some Spanish nobles during the Middle Ages. It means "one who goes before" or "advanced." Later, in the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, it became a military title for some Spanish conquistadores (explorers and conquerors).
These Adelantados were given direct permission from the king or queen to become leaders and judges in new areas. Their job was to explore, conquer, and settle these lands for the Crown of Castile (the Spanish kingdom). In return, they often had to pay for and organize these expeditions themselves. These areas were usually far from existing Spanish courts or main leaders, so Adelantados could talk directly with the Council of the Indies, a special group that advised the king about the new lands.
The Reconquista and Early Adelantados
The idea of an Adelantado first came from the reconquista, which was the long period when Christian kingdoms in Spain fought to take back land from the Moors. The word Adelantado comes from a Spanish phrase meaning "in advance" or "one who goes before."
The first known Adelantado was appointed by Alfonso X of Castile in 1253. This was for a newly conquered area in southern Spain called "La Frontera." At this time, a set of laws called the Siete Partidas helped define what an Adelantado could do.
These laws created a position called adelantado mayor. This person was like a high-ranking judge who could hear appeals (when someone asks a higher court to review a decision). They were also a direct representative of the king, making sure the king's orders were followed in their assigned area. Most people given this title were from important noble families or even the royal family. After being successful in southern Spain, the title was also used in northern Spain.
Adelantados Overseas
The title of Adelantado became very important when Spain started exploring and settling new lands far away, like in the Americas and the Spanish East Indies (Asia). For example, Alonso Fernández de Lugo was given this title for the conquest of the Canary Islands.
Over time, the powers given to each Adelantado changed. Sometimes, the rules were not very clear, which could cause problems. For instance, there was confusion between Juan de Oñate and the main leader of New Spain. The title could also be passed down in a family, or it could be for just one person's lifetime.
In 1573, new rules called the Ordinances Concerning Discoveries were published. These rules made the jobs of Adelantados clearer. Even though the title was given less often after this, the Ordinances show us what powers Adelantados usually had. As governors and judges of new territories, they could:
- Hear legal cases.
- Appoint officials for new towns.
- Name temporary treasury officials.
- Make rules about how land and mines were used.
- Set up districts.
- Organize local armies (militias) and name their leaders.
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The first person to use the title Adelantado in the Americas was Bartolomeo Columbus, the brother of Christopher Columbus. He governed the island of Hispaniola from 1494 to 1498 while his brother was away. Later, Christopher's son, Diego Colón, inherited the title.
Other famous conquistadors who were given the title of Adelantado include:
- 1512: Juan Ponce de León for Florida.
- 1514: Vasco Núñez de Balboa for the South Sea.
- 1518: Ferdinand Magellan for the Spice Islands.
- 1527: Pánfilo de Narváez for Florida.
- 1529: Francisco Pizarro for Peru.
- 1529: Pedro de Mendoza for Argentina.
- 1537: Hernando de Soto for Florida.
- 1540: Álvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca for the Río de la Plata.
- 1549: Pedro de Valdivia for Chile.
- 1565: Pedro Menéndez de Avilés for Florida.
- 1571: Miguel López de Legazpi for the Philippines.
- 1595: Juan de Oñate for the Kingdom of New Mexico.
See also
In Spanish: Adelantado para niños
- Captaincy
- Prefect
- Peninsulars
- Governorates of the Spanish Empire
