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Admiral of Castile facts for kids

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Admiral of Castile was a very important job in the Kingdom of Castile. The person holding this title was the King's main representative in charge of the Navy. It was like being the top boss of all the ships and sailors! This special role was created in 1247 and lasted a long time, until 1705.

What was the Admiral of Castile?

The title of Admiral of Castile was first created by King Ferdinand III the Saint in 1247. This happened after a big success: the Siege of Seville, where the Castilian forces captured the city. The King chose Ramón de Bonifaz to be the very first Admiral.

After Seville was conquered, the Admiral's job became even more powerful and respected. King Alfonso X the Wise wrote down all the Admiral's duties and powers in a famous set of laws called the Siete Partidas. The Admiral usually lived in Seville. This was because the Royal Shipyards, where ships were built and prepared, were located there. It was also where the navy was organized and where special courts for sea-related issues were held. One of the many important things the Admiral could do was have a say and a vote in the Council of Castile, which was like the King's main advisory group.

From 1405 to 1705, the job of Admiral became a family tradition for the Enríquez family. They were descendants of Prince Fadrique Alfonso, who was a son of King Alfonso XI of Castile. The first person from this family to become Admiral was Alfonso Enríquez, chosen by King Henry III of Castile.

However, in the 1400s, the Admiral of Castile's role started to lose some of its importance. The Admiral became more of a person who stayed at the palace and stopped personally leading naval battles. At the same time, the Castilian navy changed. Instead of royal galleys (big rowing ships), they started using private sailing ships that were hired for each military campaign.

Admirals of Castile

Here is a list of some of the people who held this important title:

Admiral Notes
Ramón Bonifaz After 1247.
Ruy López de Mendoza Post held from 1253 and 1262.
Fernando Gutiérrez Between 1262 and 1269.
Pedro Martínez de Fee
Pedro Laso de la Vega
Payo Gómez Cherino
Pedro Ruiz de Castañeda
Nuño Díaz de Castañeda died in 1293. Brother of predecessor.
Benito Zacharías Died in 1295. Genovése.
Juan Matheo de Luna Died in 1299.
Fernán Pérez Maymon
Alonso Fernández de Montemolín Sevillano.
Alvar Pérez Abdicated in 1304.
Diego García de Toledo Head of House of Magan and of Mejorada.
Diego Gutiérrez de Cevallos
Bernal de Soria Between 1307 and 1311.
Gilberto de Castelnou Italian.
Alonso Jofre Tenorio Died in 1340.
Alonso Ortiz Calderón Gran Prior of the Knights Hospitaller. Renounced in 1341.
Egidio Boccanegra Executed in 1367.
Ambrosio Bocanegra Son of predecessor. Died in 1373.
Fernando Sánchez de Tovar Noble from Berlanga. Died in 1382.
Juan Fernández de Tovar Son of predecessor. Died in the Battle of Aljubarrota in 1385.
Rui Díaz de Mendoza Noble of Mendivil. Died in 1390.
Álvaro Pérez de Guzmán Died in 1392.
Diego Hurtado de Mendoza Died in 1405.
Alonso Enríquez 1st Lord of Medina de Rioseco, son of Fadrique de Castilla. Died in 1429.
Fadrique Enríquez Son of predecessor, 2nd Lord of Medina de Rioseco, 1st Count of Melgar, died in 1479.
Alonso Enríquez Son of predecessor, 3rd Lord of Medina de Rioseco Died in 1485.
Fadrique Enríquez de Velasco Son of predecessor, 4th Lord of Medina de Rioseco. Died without heirs in 1538.
Fernando Enríquez de Velasco Brother of predecessor, 1st Duke of Medina de Rioseco, died in 1542.
Luis Enríquez y Téllez-Girón Son of predecessor. Died in 1567.
Luis Enríquez de Cabrera Son of predecessor. Died in 1596.
Luis Enríquez de Cabrera y Mendoza Son of predecessor. Died in 1600.
Juan Alfonso Enríquez de Cabrera Son of predecessor. Died in 1647.
Juan Gaspar Enríquez de Cabrera Son of predecessor. Died in 1691.
Juan Tomás Enríquez de Cabrera Son of predecessor. King Felipe V removed him from his job because he supported Archduke Charles during the War of the Spanish Succession.

Sources

  • Spanish Army

See also

In Spanish: Almirante de Castilla para niños

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