- Leonese military order established in 1166.
- The order and respective grand-masters were based in Alcántara, on the Tagus river. The order became quite rich and powerful owing to the loot gained during the Reconquest. As the Moors are driven further South and became less of a threat, the role of the order ceased to be as vital as before.
- The order and grand-masters became deeply involved in the civil war raging between Pedro of Castile and his half-brother, the future Enrique II. King Pedro often used the title as a form of recompense to those who were faithful to him.