defenderías

Defenderías were a type of public office in medieval and early modern Spain, primarily responsible for the defense and administration of frontier territories. The term "defendería" refers to both the office itself and the region it governed. These officials were often appointed by the king and held significant military and judicial authority. Their main duties included organizing local militias, protecting the populace from raids and invasions, settling disputes, and collecting taxes or tributes from the territories under their charge.

The specific powers and responsibilities of a defender varied depending on the era and the particular region. In some instances, defenderías evolved into more established lordships or counties. They played a crucial role in the consolidation of royal power and the expansion of territories, particularly during periods of conflict with Muslim states in Iberia. The concept of the defendería highlights the decentralized nature of governance in many medieval kingdoms, where local officials were entrusted with substantial autonomy to manage and protect their domains. Over time, as centralized monarchies grew stronger, many of these independent defenderías were either absorbed into larger administrative units or their powers were curtailed, gradually diminishing their significance.