The Constable of Castile: The Title that Made the Velasco Family True Rulers
In the vast and tumultuous landscape of Spanish history, few titles boast such dazzling grandeur and, at the same time, such a tragic destiny as that of Constable of Castile. In the 15th century, this title not only granted the Velasco family almost absolute power but also made them protagonists in a political drama marked by alliances, betrayals, and a lifestyle bordering on opulence. From its creation during the reign of Alfonso XI to its decline in the 17th century, the Constable was a symbol of authority, extreme wealth, and inevitably, ruin.
The Origins of a Dynasty: The Foundation of the Title
The title of Constable was created in 1335 by Alfonso XI of Castile at a time of constant struggle against the Muslim kingdoms of the south and internal tensions threatening the stability of the realm. The first Constable was Don Gómez Pérez de Vela, a man of war who proved his worth on the battlefield, and whose loyalty to the king earned him this honorary title, which involved overseeing the royal troops. However, it would not be until the rise of the Velasco family that the Constable would gain true political and social significance.
The Velasco family, with roots in the ancient noble lineage of the Burgos region, found in the Constable a means to expand their influence and wealth. It is said that "the Velasco saw the Constable as a springboard to absolute power," according to a 15th-century document detailing the strategic marital alliances they undertook. This calculated approach allowed them to consolidate their position at court and acquire vast estates, but what truly catapulted the Velasco to stardom was the rise of their most notable member: Don Pedro Fernández de Velasco.