Santa Hermandad was a group of people who were like the police a long time ago in Spain. They were created in the late 15th century to help keep the peace and make sure everyone followed the rules.
The word "santa" in Santa Hermandad doesn't mean they were like Santa Claus, it actually means "holy" in Spanish. The word "hermandad" means "brotherhood." So, Santa Hermandad means something like "holy brotherhood."
They were made up of regular people from towns and cities who wanted to help enforce the law. They were chosen by the local leaders from each area. These people were not paid for their work with money, but instead, they were given some land or other benefits as a thank you for helping out.
Their job was to catch bad guys and make sure they didn't do bad things. They were responsible for protecting people and their property, making sure nobody was stealing or hurting others. They looked out for the safety of the regular people, kind of like how parents or teachers look out for the safety of little kids.
The Santa Hermandad had special uniforms and symbols to show that they were part of the group. They wore a badge or a medallion to show who they were, and they carried weapons like swords or spears to defend themselves and others. They were like a big family, working together to make their town or city a safe and happy place.
The Santa Hermandad would patrol the streets and keep an eye out for anyone who was breaking the rules. If they saw someone doing something bad, like stealing or hurting others, they would catch them and take them to the local leader. The local leader would then decide what should happen to the person who broke the rules.
The Santa Hermandad was really important because they helped keep order and make sure everyone followed the rules. They made people feel safe and protected, just like when your parents or teachers take care of you.
Over time, the Santa Hermandad changed and evolved. It became more organized and started to be more like a national police force. It continued to grow and change with the times until it eventually disappeared in the 19th century.
So, in summary, Santa Hermandad was a group of people in Spain a long time ago who were like the police. They helped enforce the law, caught bad guys, and protected the people and their property. They were chosen by the local leaders and had special uniforms and symbols. They made sure everyone followed the rules and made the towns and cities a safe and happy place to live.