Alcalde
Alcalde, or
Alcalde ordinario, is the traditional Spanish municipal magistrate, who had both judicial and administrative functions. An
alcalde was, in the absence of a corregidor, the presiding officer of the Castilian
cabildo and judge of first instance of a town.
Alcaldes were elected annually, without the right to reelection for two or three years, by the
regidores of the municipal council. The office of the
alcalde was signified by a staff of office, which they were to take with them when doing their business.