Ricohombre

[6] The transition from ricoshombres to grandees occurred between 1390 and 1530 as the new "noble oligarchy" replaced the old one due to the change of power base caused by the conflict between infantes of Aragon and the supporters of John II of Castile with his favorite Álvaro de Luna.

[6] In Castile, the title had appeared in the 12th century and designated the class of nobility at the very top of hierarchy, behind only people of royal blood.

[8] Ricoshombres held large tax-free hereditary possessions that can only be taken back by the Crown if the holder became a traitor or died without an heir, with seigniorial and jurisdictional rights.

Ricoshombres also occupied senior administrative and advisory positions at the royal court and later served as members of the parliament (Cortes de Castilla [es]).

[1] In Navarre, ricohombre is a title given to a small number (originally twelve) of members of the highest nobility in Navarra during the Late Middle Ages, previously known as princes, barons, or lords.

The reason they were called ricohombre (rich-men) was due to birth (blood) and secondly, the many vassals in their service and numerous possessions granted to them by the kings based on their privilege (merits) in supporting the sovereign in the conquest or repopulation of new lands.

The Ricoshombres de Navarra constituted the most privileged sector of the nobility with a high level of social prestige, economic capacity and political attributions in the Kingdom of Navarre.