HISTORICAL DICTIONARY A–Z - Spain and Portugal: A Reference Guide from the Renaissance to the Present - page 71

A

adelantado
First used on the frontiers of medieval Spain
in lands recently reconquered from Islamic
invaders, this title was introduced into the
New World in 1497 and continued to be
employed throughout the period of discov-
ery and conquest. Granted to the man who
undertook the initial exploration and mas-
tering of new territory, it included political,
judicial, and military authority within a
defined area. Signifying “one who goes
before, or is ahead,” the designation was
intended both as recognition and reward to
the pioneering conquistador who estab-
lished the boundaries of an expanding
Spanish empire. The title was usually
granted for the lifetime of the pioneer or, in
some cases, that of his immediate heir and
only rarely became a hereditary title. In any
case the term adelantado soon became
regarded as merely honorific and would be
replaced by a formal administrative struc-
ture as soon as effective Spanish control
was established in a region.

regencies and ministerial dominations, the
war of independence from Spain was brought
to a successful conclusion, and Afonso was
given the designation (ironic under the cir-
cumstances) “the Victorious.” His nominal
marriage to a French princess precipitated a
conspiracy by his brother, Pedro, and the
bride, who had formed an instant attach-
ment to her new brother-in-law. Afonso was
deposed in 1667 and sent to reside under
supervision in the A ZORES . His marriage was
annulled, and his wife married Pedro, who
exercised the regency until Afonso's death
when he assumed the crown as P ETER II.

Aguirre, Lope de (1510-1561)
Spanish soldier and rebel
Reportedly of noble birth but with a reck-
less and violent temperament, Aguirre
arrived in the New World in the early 1530s,
took part in the pacification of the Carib-
bean and Central America, and then jour-
neyed to P ERU . An adherent of the Pizarro
family, he took part in the civil war between
the conquerors and was accused of numer-
ous atrocities. He was, however, granted
amnesty by the royal government that was
imposed after the conflict ended and held
several administrative posts.
In 1560 the viceroy of Peru organized an
expedition to the east with the chief purpose

Afonso VI (1643-1683)
king of Portugal
The son of J OHN IV, Afonso suffered from
physical and mental disabilities that made his
conduct unstable or, at best, useless for the
exercise of government. During a series of

69