Commanders

The commanders of the military religious orders had both administrative and military responsibilities.

Administratively, they oversaw the state of the properties under their care, leasing or renting them when authorized, and ensuring they weren't directly used. They were tasked with preventing the alienation of these assets, ordering the creation of a registry (known as a "tombo") of the property's assets and boundaries, and making necessary repairs. It was also their duty to maintain good relations with the vassals, without abusing their rights over them.

In the Middle Ages, commanders had military duties that required them to maintain the number of armed men specified by the Order and to respond to the call of the Master for war, following him or the Comendador-Mor into battle.

Some of the most prominent commanders of Mouguelas were Vasco da Gama, João da Silva Telo de Menezes, and Dinis de Melo de Castro.