hermandad
9.9
A medieval group that kept order in rural Spain
- noun
- /ˌɛr.mənˈdɑd/
:
hermandad
- Members of the hermandad patrolled the countryside to enforce the law during medieval times.
Examples
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And who was the Santa Hermandad or Holy Brotherhood?
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The Santa hermandad was established to maintain peace in the rural areas of Spain.
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The authority of the hermandad came from their responsibility to protect local communities.
How Official
Surface Forms
hermandad singular
hermandades plural
Etymology
Hermandad had an older use: as in Santa Hermandad it was a 'brotherhood' of men who kept the peace in the countryside. That's why a hermandad came to mean a medieval force that patrolled and protected towns and travelers.