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Maestre de campo was a rank created in 1534 by the EmperorCharles I of Spain, inferior in rank only to thecapitán general and acted as a chief of staff. He was chosen by the monarch in the Council of State, and commanded atercio. Their powers were similar to those of the oldmarshals of theKingdom of Castile: they had the power to administer justice and to regulate the food supply. Their personal guard consisted of eight German halberdiers, paid by the king, who accompanied them everywhere. Immediately inferior in thechain of command was thesargento mayor. One of the most famousmaestre de campos wasJulian Romero, a common soldier who reached that rank and that brought victory to the Spanishtercios at thebattles of San Quintín andGravelines.

In the overseas colonies of theSpanish Empire a governor held the rank ofcapitán general over his local forces and would appoint hismaestre de campo.

• Captain general
• Sargento mayor
• Tercio

• Military ranks
• 16th-century establishments in Spain

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