frontier adelantado

The term "adelantado" (Spanish for "one who goes before") referred to a representative of the kings of Castile in medieval Spain. These officials held significant judicial and administrative powers over designated districts.1

There were two main types:
* Greater adelantados served as appeal judges and organized regional armies during wartime.1
* Lesser adelantados, often stationed on frontiers, became known as "frontier adelantados" and played a crucial role in the military conquest of the Americas.1

By the 16th century, the office of adelantado was replaced by that of the alcalde, or magistrate. The adelantado was essentially a civil and military governor of a Spanish province or colony.12