Viceroyalty of New Spain
The territories were separated into provinces. Provinces were led by a governor, who was responsible for the administration of the province and often also led the province's army and militias.  The provinces were grouped together under five high courts, called Audiencias in Spanish, at Santo Domingo, Mexico City, Guatemala, Guadalajara and Manila.  Both the high courts and the governors had autonomy from the viceroy and carried out most duties on their own.  Only on important issues did the viceroy become involved in ruling the provinces directly.