Alonso de Cárdenas facts for kids

Cross of the Order of Santiago.

Alonso de Cárdenas was an important Spanish noble and a powerful leader. He was the 44th and then the 47th (and last) Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. This was a very important group of knights. After Alonso, the title of Grand Master went to the Catholic Monarchs (King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella). This happened because the time for powerful military orders was ending, especially after the Reconquista (the Christian reconquest of Spain) was finished.

Alonso de Cárdenas is also known for building a castle in a place called Puebla del Maestre in 1483. He was the father of García López de Cárdenas.

Family and Discoveries

Alonso was part of the House of Cárdenas, which was a family that became very strong. They gained a lot of power in Spain's new lands across the ocean, known as the New World.

His son, García López de Cárdenas, made a big discovery. He was the first European to see the amazing Gran Cañón del Colorado, which we now just call the "Grand Canyon."

Life as a Leader

Alonso de Cárdenas worked for the Catholic Monarchs, King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. He helped them during the War of the Castilian Succession. This was a war to decide who would be the next queen of Castile.

One of the brave captains under Alonso's command was Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba. People called him the "Gran Capitan" (Great Captain) because he was so good at leading soldiers in battles across Spain's empire. After a battle called the Battle of Albuera, Alonso praised the Gran Capitan. He said the captain always led his troops from the very front, which he could tell by his shining armor.

Throughout his life, Alonso had to work hard to get and keep his power. He was often in struggles with other nobles. When the Reconquista ended, there were fewer chances for knights to fight for the king. So, the fights for power moved from battlefields to politics.

Grand Master of Santiago

Alonso de Cárdenas was the Grand Master of the Order of Santiago twice. His first time was from 1474 to 1476. His second time was from 1477 to 1493. This was the last year the Order of Santiago was somewhat independent from the Spanish crown.

He became Grand Master the first time after the previous leader, Juan Pacheco, gave up his title to his son. This was not the usual way to become Grand Master. Normally, the leader was chosen by election, not by inheritance. This caused a big argument among the nobles of the order. It led to a fight for power between Rodrigo Manrique de Lara and Alonso de Cárdenas. For a while, the order even had two different Grand Masters!

King Ferdinand II of Aragon stepped in to help solve the problem. The division ended when Pedro Manrique died two years later in 1476.

Alonso helped Spain in a war against Portugal. Because of his help, he was officially given the title of Grand Master in 1474. During his time as Grand Master, Alonso held important meetings in a chapel in Azuaga.

Solving Conflicts

Alonso also had disagreements with other powerful people. There was a conflict with the Condado de Feria, a noble family in Zafra. This led to a confrontation between Alonso and the "Señor de Feria." They eventually made an agreement. As part of this, the Order of Santiago had to tear down its castle at Los Santos de Maimona. This castle had only been rebuilt a few years earlier.

Another dispute was with Enrique de Guzmán, 2nd Duke of Medina Sidonia. This Duke wanted to be Grand Master too. He even started a war against Alonso and the order. In 1475, Alonso de Cárdenas had to hide in the Castillo de Jerez de los Caballeros to protect himself from the Duke.

But soon after, in 1478, Alonso surprised and defeated the Duke's forces in a battle near Guadalcanal. After this defeat, the Duke gave up his claim to the title because the king ordered him to.

Alonso de Cárdenas finished his career as Grand Master helping in the Granada War. This was the final war to conquer Granada, the last Muslim kingdom in Spain.

Death and What He Left Behind

Alonso de Cárdenas died in 1493. He was buried in a special tomb at the church of Santiago de Llerena in Llerena.

After he died, the Order of Santiago came under the direct control of the Spanish crown. This happened because the Pope ordered it. With the Reconquista finished, there was no new Spanish land to conquer on the Iberian Peninsula. There was nothing left for the knights to fight for in the same way.

See also

In Spanish: Alonso de Cárdenas para niños

• Order of Santiago
• List of Grand Masters of the Order of Santiago

Preceded by Juan Pacheco	Grand Master of the Order of Santiago 1474–1476	Succeeded by Rodrigo Manrique de Lara
Preceded by Ferdinand II of Aragon	Grand Master of the Order of Santiago 1477–1493	Succeeded by Reyes Católicos