Adelantado was a Governor-like military office held by Spanish Conquistadores of the 16th and 17th centuries. The men who held this post were usually granted the government of their region in exchange for the initial explorations, settlements and pacification of the target area on behalf of the Crown. The term comes from por adelantado (Spanish: in advance, although translations stating one who goes before and/or the forward man are also found). A few 11th century Castilian and Navarrese docume… (More on Adelantado)