CALATRAVA

CALATRAVA. – Spanish chivalric order founded in 1158 by Raimondo, Cistercian abbot of Fideiro, entrusted by Sancio III, king of Castile, with the defense of C., which was besieged by the Moors. The Cistercian rule was adopted for internal discipline. Alexander III approved it in 1165. From then on it developed considerably, both because of its many victories over the Moors and because of the extensive possessions it acquired or was granted; but in the fourteenth century it fell into decline as a result of internal divisions. It was reconstituted in 1482 under Ferdinando il Cattolico, who became its grand master. From then on it remained united with the Spanish crown.