Grand Masters of Order of Santiago

The Grand Masters of the Order of Santiago led the most powerful and wealthy military order in the Iberian Peninsula from its founding in 1170 until the Crown absorbed its leadership in 1493.

Members of the Grand Masters of Order of Santiago lineage

• Pedro Fernández de Castro, 1st Grand Master (?–1184) — Founding Grand Master of the Order of Santiago in 1170. Organized the order to protect pilgrims on the Camino de Santiago and fight in the Reconquista.
• Fernando Díaz, 2nd Grand Master (?–1186) — Continued the early expansion of the order's network of commanderies across León and Castile.
• Sancho Fernández de Lemos, 3rd Grand Master (?–1195) — Expanded the order's presence into Extremadura and strengthened its military capabilities.
• Gonzalo Rodríguez de Marañón, 4th Grand Master (?–1204) — Led the order during the aftermath of the Battle of Alarcos and the reorganization of frontier defenses.
• Suero Rodríguez, 5th Grand Master (?–1206) — Brief but important tenure consolidating the order's holdings in La Mancha.
• Fernando González de Marañón, 6th Grand Master (?–1210) — Prepared the order for the great campaign that would culminate in the Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa.
• Pedro Arias, 7th Grand Master (?–1212) — Led the Knights of Santiago at the decisive Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa in 1212, a turning point of the Reconquista.
• García González de Arauzo, 8th Grand Master (?–1217) — Oversaw the order during the post-Navas expansion into southern territories.
• Martín Barragán, 9th Grand Master (?–1221) — Continued the Reconquista campaigns in Extremadura and western Andalucía.
• García Fernández, 10th Grand Master (?–1224) — Managed the order's growing territories and participated in Ferdinand III's early campaigns.
• Fernando Pérez Chacín, 11th Grand Master (?–1226) — Supported Ferdinand III of Castile's unification of Castile and León.
• Pedro González Mengo, 12th Grand Master (?–1237) — Grand Master during the conquest of Córdoba in 1236 and expansion through the Guadalquivir valley.
• Rodrigo Íñiguez, 13th Grand Master (?–1242) — Participated in Ferdinand III's campaigns that conquered Jaén and advanced into eastern Andalucía.
• Pelayo Pérez Correa, 14th Grand Master (?–1275) — One of the greatest Grand Masters. Led the order during the conquest of Seville (1248) and dominated Reconquista campaigns for over three decades. Legend credits him with a miracle at the Battle of Tentudía.
• Gonzalo Ruiz Girón, 15th Grand Master (?–1280) — Managed the order's vast domains during the reign of Alfonso X the Wise.
• Pedro Núñez, 16th Grand Master (?–1286) — Navigated the political turmoil following Alfonso X's succession crisis.
• Gonzalo Martel, 17th Grand Master (?–1289) — Brief tenure during the minority of Ferdinand IV of Castile.
• Pedro Fernández Mata, 18th Grand Master (?–1293) — Managed internal order affairs during a period of Castilian political instability.
• Juan Osórez, 19th Grand Master (?–1310) — Long-serving Grand Master who participated in campaigns against Granada under Ferdinand IV.
• Diego Muñiz, 20th Grand Master (?–1318) — Fought in the siege of Algeciras and various frontier skirmishes against the Nasrid kingdom.
• García Fernández de la Cámara, 21st Grand Master (?–1327) — Led the order during Alfonso XI's minority and the complex regency politics.
• Vasco Rodríguez de Cornado, 22nd Grand Master (?–1338) — Grand Master during Alfonso XI's campaigns against Granada and the Battle of Teba.
• Vasco López de Buján, 23rd Grand Master (?–1338) — Brief tenure during the intensification of the Reconquista under Alfonso XI.
• Alonso Méndez de Guzmán, 24th Grand Master (?–1342) — Fell heroically at the great Battle of the Río Salado in 1340, one of the Reconquista's most decisive victories.
• Fadrique Alfonso de Castilla, 25th Grand Master (1334–1358) — Illegitimate son of Alfonso XI. Murdered by his half-brother King Pedro I "the Cruel" in the Alcázar of Seville in 1358.
• Gonzalo Mejía, 26th Grand Master (?–1370) — Appointed during the civil war between Pedro I and Henry of Trastámara. Supported the Trastámara cause.
• Fernando Osórez, 27th Grand Master (?–1383) — Grand Master under Henry II and John I, participated in campaigns against Portugal.
• Pedro Fernández de Cabrera, 28th Grand Master (?–1384) — Brief tenure during the Portuguese succession crisis and the Battle of Aljubarrota.
• García Fernández de Villagarcía, 29th Grand Master (?–1387) — Led the order during the aftermath of the disastrous defeat at Aljubarrota.
• Lorenzo Suárez de Figueroa, 30th Grand Master (?–1409) — Powerful Grand Master during the regency of Henry III, launched major raids against Granada.
• Enrique de Aragón (Infante), 31st Grand Master (1400–1445) — Infante of Aragon who used the mastership as a power base in Castilian politics. Died at the Battle of Olmedo in 1445.
• Álvaro de Luna, 32nd Grand Master (1390–1453) — The powerful constable of Castile and favorite of John II. Became Grand Master in 1445 but was executed in 1453 after falling from royal favor.
• Juan Pacheco, 33rd Grand Master (1419–1474) — Marquis of Villena and master political manipulator. Dominated Castilian politics under Henry IV, switching allegiances multiple times.
• Rodrigo Manrique, 34th Grand Master (1406–1476) — Disputed Grand Master and father of the poet Jorge Manrique, whose "Coplas por la muerte de su padre" became one of Spain's greatest literary works.
• Alonso de Cárdenas, 35th Grand Master (1423–1493) — Last independent Grand Master. Fought heroically in the Granada War and surrendered the mastership to the Crown upon his death.
• Ferdinand II of Aragon, 36th Grand Master (Administrator) (1452–1516) — Ferdinand the Catholic assumed administration of Santiago in 1493, beginning the permanent incorporation into the Crown.
• Charles I of Spain, 37th Grand Master (Administrator) (1500–1558) — Emperor Charles V. In 1523, Pope Adrian VI permanently united all three great Spanish military orders to the Crown.
• Philip II of Spain, 38th Grand Master (Administrator) (1527–1598) — Administered Santiago during Spain's Golden Age. The cross of Santiago became the most coveted honor in the empire.
• Philip III of Spain, 39th Grand Master (Administrator) (1578–1621) — Continued Crown administration; Santiago membership remained the pinnacle of social prestige.
• Philip IV of Spain, 40th Grand Master (Administrator) (1605–1665) — Famously granted the cross of Santiago to painter Diego Velázquez, who proudly wore it in Las Meninas.
• Charles II of Spain, 41st Grand Master (Administrator) (1661–1700) — Last Habsburg administrator of the Order of Santiago. The order continued as a prestigious honor under Bourbon rule.