The term referred to judicial magistrates named in towns and villages within the jurisdiction of the Spanish Empire in the Americas whose function was primarily to be informed of infractions committed in rural areas against the established order, so they could be prosecuted.
The hermandades initially began to form in Andalusia in 1265, in towns seeking to “defend their interests” from Islamic rebels who had been taking land and proclaiming their leader king.
[8] Alcaldes de la Santa Hermandad were law enforcement / justice occupations.
Their range of duties included addressing infractions related to theft, larceny, kidnapping, assault, armed robbery, restraining the free movement of others, premeditated arson of homes, barns, farms, hives or corrals, and murder or injuries resulting from robbery, deceit or stalking.
However, they could also exercise these powers if the offense was committed in a city or town and the offender had fled into these such less populated areas.