ABSTRACT
The monastery of Santos was founded at the end of the twelfth century and given to the Order of Santiago by King Sancho I. Later, as it gained lands further south from the Muslims, the Order was able to occupy other castles, and Santos became a place of residence for women who were relatives of members of the Order. Its relationship with the crown is interesting, because both the kings and the queens had granted these women privileges, protecting them and their entourages in ways that can help explain the success of several families.
