Which Spanish military order was founded in 1170 to protect pilgrims and fight in Iberia?

The Order of Santiago was founded in 1170 to protect pilgrims and fight in the Christian kingdoms of Iberia.

The order began in León under the leadership of Pedro Fernández and other knights. Its original role included protecting pilgrims traveling toward the shrine of Saint James at Santiago de Compostela, as well as defending Christian territories during the Reconquista.

Unlike some strictly monastic military orders, Santiago permitted its knights to marry, although the order followed religious rules and served the church. It acquired castles, lands, and influence across the Iberian Peninsula.

The order is often confused with Calatrava and Alcántara, which were separate Spanish military orders. In 1493, after the conquest of Granada, the Catholic Monarchs gained control of Santiago’s mastership, bringing the order increasingly under royal authority.