In July, 1221, the Jokyu War occurred but Yoritsuna served as Kamakura rusui (a caretaker or keeper in the Kamakura government office) and because of this service he was granted the post of shugoshiki (post of provincial constable) of the Iyo Province after the war.
承久3年（1221年）6月、承久の乱が起きたが、頼綱は鎌倉留守居を務め、その功績から戦後、伊予国の守護職を与えられた。