The Captaincy General was a division of a viceroyalty in Spanish or Portuguese colonial administration. Captaincies general were established districts that were under threat from foreign invasion or Indian attack. Their governors were the Captains general. Spanish captaincies general, on account of their independence and distance from the crown, became virtual viceroyalties, having a direct relationship with the king and the Council of the Indies, in Madrid. Notes See also Captain-major Captain general Captaincy Captaincies of the Spanish Empire Captaincies of the Portuguese Empire Captaincies of Brazil