Medina de Rioseco - Admirals of Castile

Admirals of Castile

Don Alonso Enriquez (1354–1429) in May 1405 received from King Henry III of Castile the title of Admiral of Castile, after the death of Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, who had been its previous owner. In 1423 John II of Castile issued the manor of Medina Rioseco.

Its traditional commercial role since medieval times gained official status over time. Exercising dominion, D. Fadrique Enriquez, second admiral, was granted by John II the privilege of conducting an annual fair. Under the dominion of Alfonso II Enriquez, third Admiral of Castile, Enrique IV of Castile granted the town a second annual fair, and in 1465 Henry IV gave him a free weekly tax. Don Frederic II, Enríquez de Cabrera, fourth Admiral, began building the palace of the admirals and the church of San Francisco, founded the convent of Santa Clara, and during his rule built the church of Santa María de Mediavilla.