Castilian Hermandad Militia

Timeline

1. 1476–1477Castile · CastileIsabella and Ferdinand issued decrees consolidating the scattered local brotherhood militias into the Santa Hermandad, supervised by royally appointed officials, granting it powers of road patrol, capture of thieves, and judicial assistance, thereby weakening the private forces of the great nobles.
2. 1481–1490Inland road network of Castile · CastileHermandad militia set up checkpoints on trade routes, levied security taxes, and escorted prisoners to royal courts; its existence enabled the Catholic Monarchs to mobilize resources for the war against Granada without relying entirely on noble cavalry contingents.
3. 1482–1492Andalusian frontier · AndalusiaDuring the war, some Hermandad detachments were called up to maintain rear supply lines and security in occupied areas, assisting with the collection of war taxes and the transport of prisoners, demonstrating its extension from local policing to auxiliary military force of the kingdom.
4. 1700–1835Spain · SpainAfter the establishment of modern state police and standing armies, the Hermandad's military functions gradually became nominal; the Mendizábal reforms of 1835 abolished the local brotherhood militias, and their security functions were taken over by the national gendarmerie and civil courts.