Adelantado was a military title held by some Spanish conquistadores of the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries. Adelantados were granted directly by the Monarch the right to become governors and justices of a specific region, which they charged with conquering, in exchange for funding and organizing the initial explorations, settlements and pacification of the target area on behalf of the Crown. These areas were usually outside of the jurisdiction of an audiencia or viceroy, and adelantados were autho… (More on Adelantado)