Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval (1595,

Madrid Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...

– 17th century, Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce) was a Spanish

nobleman Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. T ...

and

monk A monk (; from , ''monachos'', "single, solitary" via Latin ) is a man who is a member of a religious order and lives in a monastery. A monk usually lives his life in prayer and contemplation. The concept is ancient and can be seen in many reli ...

of the Order of St. Bernard of Cistercians at the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce in

Clavijo Clavijo is a municipality of the autonomous community of La Rioja (Spain). It is located near the capital, Logroño. , its population was of 276 inhabitants. In 834, according to a 12th-century spurious charter and later traditional records, th ...

and a member of the prominent House of Medrano. Juan renounced his inheritance to join the monastic life. His detailed will, drafted in 1616, reflects his dedication to religious service and familial responsibilities, distributing a significant fortune to various family members and religious institutions, including his monastery. Fernández de Medrano is remembered for his role in the monastic community and his contributions to the legacy of his family during Spain’s Golden Age.

Early life and family background

Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval (born 1595) was the son of

Tomás Fernández de Medrano Tomás Fernández de Medrano (16th century — 1616) was a high ranking Spanish nobility, Spanish nobleman from Entrena, and a prominent Adviser, advisor, Politician, statesman, diplomat and courtier of Philip II of Spain, Philip II and Philip ...

adviser An adviser or advisor is normally a person with more and deeper knowledge in a specific area and usually also includes persons with cross-functional and multidisciplinary expertise. An adviser's role is that of a mentor or guide and differs catego ...

and secretary of State and War to the 11th

Duke of Savoy The titles of the count of Savoy, and then duke of Savoy, are titles of nobility attached to the historical territory of Savoy. Since its creation, in the 11th century, the House of Savoy held the county. Several of these rulers ruled as kings at ...

, and Isabel Ibáñez de Sandoval, a member of the House of

Sandoval Sandoval is a habitational surname of Spanish language, Spanish origin. It primarily originates from Sandoval de la Reina, Spain, earlier called ''Sannoval'', which is a blend word of Latin ''saltus'' (meaning 'grove' or 'wood') and Latin ''novalis ...

and lady-in-waiting to Princess Catalina Micaela, Duchess of Savoy and daughter of King

Philip II of Spain Philip II (21 May 152713 September 1598), sometimes known in Spain as Philip the Prudent (), was King of Spain from 1556, King of Portugal from 1580, and King of Naples and List of Sicilian monarchs, Sicily from 1554 until his death in 1598. He ...

. He was the paternal grandson of Juan Fernández de Medrano. His father was a resident of the

Royal Palace of Madrid The Royal Palace of Madrid () is the official residence of the Spanish royal family at the city of Madrid, although now used only for state ceremonies. The palace has of floor space and contains 3,418 rooms. It is the largest royal palace in Eu ...

. His family hailed from the Cameros region of

La Rioja, Spain La Rioja () is an autonomous community and province in Spain, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Logroño. Other cities and towns in the province include Calahorra, Arnedo, Alfaro, Haro, Santo Domingo de la Calzada, and ...

, and was deeply rooted in the nobility of the area, being connected to the Lords of

Almarza de Cameros Almarza de Cameros is a village in the province and autonomous community of La Rioja, Spain Spain, or the Kingdom of Spain, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe with territories in North Africa. Featuring the Punta ...

, and the Lords of the ''Solar de Valdeosera''—a historical institution of collective nobility founded in the 9th century during the

Reconquista The ''Reconquista'' (Spanish language, Spanish and Portuguese language, Portuguese for ) or the fall of al-Andalus was a series of military and cultural campaigns that European Christian Reconquista#Northern Christian realms, kingdoms waged ag ...

. The ancient House of Medrano is one of the most powerful noble families in the Sierra de Cameros and

Soria Soria () is a municipality and a Spanish city, located on the Douro river in the east of the autonomous community of Castile and León and capital of the province of Soria. Its population is 38,881 ( INE, 2017), 43.7% of the provincial populatio ...

. Juan grew up in a politically influential household. His father, Tomás, held significant positions within the

Spanish monarchy The monarchy of Spain or Spanish monarchy () is the constitutional form of government of Spain. It consists of a hereditary monarch who reigns as the head of state, being the highest office of the country. The Spanish monarchy is constitu ...

and the court of Savoy, as well as being a member of the

Order of St. John of Jerusalem The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there un ...

. His father was the author of an important

political Politics () is the set of activities that are associated with decision-making, making decisions in social group, groups, or other forms of power (social and political), power relations among individuals, such as the distribution of Social sta ...

treatise A treatise is a Formality, formal and systematic written discourse on some subject concerned with investigating or exposing the main principles of the subject and its conclusions."mwod:treatise, Treatise." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Acc ...

called ''Republica Mista'', originally published in

in 1602.

Monastic legacy

The economic and political stability of the family enabled Juan to pursue a

monastic life Monasticism (; ), also called monachism or monkhood, is a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual activities. Monastic life plays an important role in many Christian churches, especially ...

. He joined the

Cistercian The Cistercians (), officially the Order of Cistercians (, abbreviated as OCist or SOCist), are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, as well as the contri ...

monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, where he was well-regarded for his substantial donations and pious commitments. The wealth he inherited from his parents and the financial support of King Philip III allowed him to make significant contributions to the monastery, including funding the construction of new facilities. The family’s patronage extended to religious institutions, including the Monastery of San Juan de Acre, where they held burial rights and supported its reconstruction during the 17th century. The Medrano family, Lords of Agoncillo, were also generational patrons of the

Franciscan Order The Franciscans are a group of related organizations in the Catholic Church, founded or inspired by the Italian saint Francis of Assisi. They include three independent Religious institute, religious orders for men (the Order of Friars Minor bei ...

, generously donating some of their land in 1211, including a

tower A tower is a tall Nonbuilding structure, structure, taller than it is wide, often by a significant factor. Towers are distinguished from guyed mast, masts by their lack of guy-wires and are therefore, along with tall buildings, self-supporting ...

, situated close to the

Ebro River The Ebro (Spanish and Basque ; , , ) is a river of the north and northeast of the Iberian Peninsula, in Spain. It rises in Cantabria and flows , almost entirely in an east-southeast direction. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea, forming a del ...

within the city of

Logroño Logroño ( , , ) is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja (Spain), La Rioja, Spain. Located in the north of the Iberian Peninsula, primarily in the right (South) bank of the Ebro River, Logroño has historically been a place of pa ...

as a gift to

Francis of Assisi Giovanni di Pietro di Bernardone ( 1181 – 3 October 1226), known as Francis of Assisi, was an Italians, Italian Mysticism, mystic, poet and Friar, Catholic friar who founded the religious order of the Franciscans. Inspired to lead a Chris ...

himself, establishing the first Spanish

convent A convent is an enclosed community of monks, nuns, friars or religious sisters. Alternatively, ''convent'' means the building used by the community. The term is particularly used in the Catholic Church, Lutheran churches, and the Anglican ...

of his

Order Order, ORDER or Orders may refer to: * A socio-political or established or existing order, e.g. World order, Ancien Regime, Pax Britannica * Categorization, the process in which ideas and objects are recognized, differentiated, and understood ...

there.

Sibling

His sister, Ana María Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval (b. 1608), a lady-in-waiting for Queen Elisabeth of France, Queen of Spain, married Rodrigo Martínez de Fresneda y Bonivern, knight of the

Order of Montesa The Orde Militar de Santa Maria de Montesa, often shortened to Order of Montesa (, Aragonese and ) is a Christian military order, territorially limited to the old Crown of Aragon. It was named after the castle of Montesa, its headquarters. ...

.El expediente se conserva en el A.H.N., Órdenes Militares-Casamiento-Montesa, Expediente 73.

Isabel de Sandoval

His mother, Isabel de Sandoval, was closely tied to the powerful House of Sandoval, which included the

Duke of Lerma Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas, 1st Duke of Lerma, 5th Marquess of Denia, 1st Count of Ampudia (1552/1553 – 17 May 1625), was a favourite of Philip III of Spain, the first of the '' validos'' ('most worthy') through whom the later H ...

, the

favorite A favourite was the intimate companion of a ruler or other important person. In post-classical and early-modern Europe, among other times and places, the term was used of individuals delegated significant political power by a ruler. It was es ...

of King Philip III. This connection provided the family with both protection and access to the upper echelons of Spanish and Savoyard society. His mother Isabel de Sandoval was a noblewoman of significant influence, deeply connected to the Spanish and European aristocracy. As a lady-in-waiting to Princess

Catalina Micaela of Spain Catalina Micaela of Spain (10 October 1567 – 6 November 1597) was Duchess of Savoy by marriage to Charles Emmanuel I, Duke of Savoy. She ruled the duchy several times as regent in Charles Emmanuel's absence, notably during his campaign in 159 ...

, Duchess of Savoy, Isabel played a vital role in the household of the daughter of King

. Isabel was part of the powerful House of Sandoval, whose influence peaked during the reigns of Philip II and Philip III through figures like Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas, the Duke of Lerma. Her connection to this family provided her children, Juan and Ana María de Medrano, with access to opportunities and protections in court and church circles.

Relatives

The Fernández de Medrano family was also associated with various military and ecclesiastical achievements. Juan’s uncles included Francisco Fernández de Medrano, a captain in the Spanish infantry, Lázaro Fernández de Medrano, a Spanish

ensign Ensign most often refers to: * Ensign (flag), a flag flown on a vessel to indicate nationality * Ensign (rank), a navy (and former army) officer rank Ensign or The Ensign may also refer to: Places * Ensign, Alberta, Alberta, Canada * Ensign, Ka ...

, and

Diego de Medrano Diego Fernández de Medrano (Hinojosa del Campo, 1545 – 1588) was a nobleman from the House of Medrano in the Kingdom of Castile, a knight of the Order of Santiago, and a prominent Spanish Navy, naval captain (naval), commander of the late 16th ...

, squadron general and captain of the Spanish and Portuguese

galley A galley is a type of ship optimised for propulsion by oars. Galleys were historically used for naval warfare, warfare, Maritime transport, trade, and piracy mostly in the seas surrounding Europe. It developed in the Mediterranean world during ...

s, who served in the

Invincible Armada The Spanish Armada (often known as Invincible Armada, or the Enterprise of England, ) was a Spanish fleet that sailed from Lisbon in late May 1588, commanded by Alonso de Guzmán, Duke of Medina Sidonia, an aristocrat without previous naval ...

and other significant military campaigns.''Tomás Fernández de Medrano: Consejero y Secretario de Estado y Guerra de los Duques de Saboya, Divisero del Solar de Valdeosera'' by Luis Pinillos Lafuente, divisero of Valdeosera. p. 22-30 https://cuadernosdeayala.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/CAyala-87.pdf

Assets

Fray Juan Fernandez de Medrano y Sandoval owned various lands and had rights in several towns in La Rioja:

, Lasanta, Tudelilla, Villamediana, Yangüela,

Lagunilla Lagunilla is a municipality in the Province of Salamanca, Spain. It is from the provincial capital of Salamanca. It is bordered by Aldeacipreste, Colmenar de Montemayor, Valdelageve, Sotoserrano and Zarza de Granadilla. In 2005 it counted 560 ...

, Leza, Alberite, Ribafrecha, and El Villar de Arnedo. The ''Provincial Chapter of the Order of St. John in Castile'', under the leadership of Fray Aloisio de Vignancourt, submitted a request for Juan Fernández de Medrano, the son of Tomás and Isabel de Sandoval, to be awarded a half-cross (''media Cruz''), which would grant him a pension and additional distinctions. He received this recognition following a letter sent on 26 July 1608, by King Philip III, who personally wrote to Grand Master Fray Aloisio de Vignancourt, praising Tomás' service:

...for having served me in war, in particular missions and ministries, and as a soldier in significant occasions; during which he traveled from France to discuss with the King, my late father—may he rest in glory—urgent matters of royal service... He has shown great devotion in religious affairs... and has undertaken the task (among other works I am aware of) of translating the statutes from Latin into our Castilian language.

Religious life and contributions

In 1616, Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval joined the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, a Cistercian community in the

diocese of Calahorra In church governance, a diocese or bishopric is the ecclesiastical district under the jurisdiction of a bishop. History In the later organization of the Roman Empire, the increasingly subdivided provinces were administratively associated ...

, Spain. Renouncing the privileges of his noble birth, he committed himself to a life of religious devotion. Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval played an active role in the spiritual and administrative affairs of the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce. His contributions are documented in various legal and financial records. Its location coincided with the field of one of the mythical battles of the reconquest in the area: the battle of Clavijo. San Prudencio de Monte Laturce was lord of a nearby village: Villanueva de San Prudencio. The abbey of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce sheltered an average of 20 monks throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.

Commissioning an altarpiece

He participated in the day-to-day governance and broader financial stability of the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce. Among his most significant contributions was the commissioning of a new

altarpiece An altarpiece is a painting or sculpture, including relief, of religious subject matter made for placing at the back of or behind the altar of a Christian church. Though most commonly used for a single work of art such as a painting or sculpture, ...

, which served as a focal point for

worship Worship is an act of religious devotion usually directed towards a deity or God. For many, worship is not about an emotion, it is more about a recognition of a God. An act of worship may be performed individually, in an informal or formal group, ...

Will and testament

Juan's will is preserved in the notarial protocols of the Provincial Historical Archive of La Rioja. Juan drafted his

will Will may refer to: Common meanings * Will and testament, instructions for the disposition of one's property after death * Will (philosophy), or willpower * Will (sociology) * Will, volition (psychology) * Will, a modal verb - see Shall and will ...

on October 26, 1616, as required by the statutes of his order prior to taking his

monastic vows Monasticism (; ), also called monachism or monkhood, is a religious way of life in which one renounces worldly pursuits to devote oneself fully to spiritual activities. Monastic life plays an important role in many Christian churches, especially ...

. In it, he expressed his desire to be "more free and unencumbered from the things of the world" in order to fulfill his holy profession. His will provided for significant financial disbursements to his family, relatives, and servants. This document provides rich insight into both his piety and the extensive wealth he managed, which he distributed among family members and religious institutions:

In dei nomine amén. Let those who see this letter of testament, last and final will, know that I, Friar Juan Fernández de Medrano, son of Tomás Fernández de Medrano and Doña Isabel de Sandoval, neighbors of Madrid, novice at present in the monastery of St. Prudencio of the Order of St. Bernard of Cistercians, in the diocese of Calahorra, being as I am about to profess in the said monastery, Diocese of Calahorra, and I wish to comply with the decree of the Holy Council and statutes of my holy religion, so that I may celebrate my holy profession, I order my will and, affirm my will.Testament of Juan Fernández de Medrano, 26 October 1616, ''Archivo Histórico Provincial de La Rioja'' (en adelante A.H.P.L.R), ''Protocolos Notariales, Protocolo'' 8.270-4.

Juan’s will allocated 2,000 ducats, sourced from two primary assets: * His share of his parents’ estate, which had been auctioned. * Payments owed to him and his father by the Crown, specifically funds related to assistance for the Medrano family in

Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...

. His contributions included: * 600 ducats to the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce for its upkeep and operations. * 100 ducats to his uncle, Captain Francisco Fernández de Medrano, who resided in

, in perpetuity. * 200 ducats to his aunt, Magdalena de Sandoval, governess to the children of the first

Duke of Uceda Duke of Uceda () is a hereditary title in the Peerage of Spain, accompanied by the dignity of Grandee and granted in 1610 by Philip III to Cristóbal Gómez de Sandoval, who succeeded his father Francisco Gómez de Sandoval, 1st Duke of Lerma ...

. * 200 ducats to his cousins, Pedro and Felipe. * 50 ducats to Juana and Melchora del Cavia, residents of Madrid. * The remainder of his estate to his sister, Ana María Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval, named as his universal heir. Regarding the monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, his will included a specific clause that required the amount to be doubled to 1,200 ducats if not delivered within four months.

Reconstruction of the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce

His father,

, a man of deep faith, proclaimed in his ''República Mista'' (1602):

Better to preserve than to tear down, to repair and rebuild a noble temple rather than construct it anew.

Following his father's example, in 1616, Juan allocated funds in his will for the reconstruction of parts of the San Prudencio de Monte Laturce monastery. In the early 17th century, the prosperity of the oratory was evident through the expansion of its facilities, as referenced by Fray Juan Fernandez de Medrano in his will. Thanks to his detailed

will and testament A will and testament is a legal document that expresses a person's (testator) wishes as to how their property (estate (law), estate) is to be distributed after their death and as to which person (executor) is to manage the property until its fi ...

, art historians have determined that the

refectory A refectory (also frater, frater house, fratery) is a dining room, especially in monastery, monasteries, boarding schools and academic institutions. One of the places the term is most often used today is in graduate seminary, seminaries. The name ...

building within the

abbey An abbey is a type of monastery used by members of a religious order under the governance of an abbot or abbess. Abbeys provide a complex of buildings and land for religious activities, work, and housing of Christians, Christian monks and nun ...

of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, which was discovered in the 17th century and had survived the neglect following the abbey's abandonment in 1835, dates back to around 1616. Juan Fernandez de Medrano y Sandoval contributed 600

ducats The ducat ( ) coin was used as a trade coin in Europe from the later Middle Ages to the 19th century. Its most familiar version, the gold ducat or sequin containing around of 98.6% fine gold, originated in Venice in 1284 and gained wide inter ...

for the restoration of the refectory and cells within the monastery. Specific projects carried out by Juan during this period included: * Renovation of the

Cloister A cloister (from Latin , "enclosure") is a covered walk, open gallery, or open Arcade (architecture), arcade running along the walls of buildings and forming a quadrangle (architecture), quadrangle or garth. The attachment of a cloister to a cat ...

: Repairs to the cloister ensured it remained functional for monastic life, supporting both the spiritual practices and communal activities of the monks. * Reinforcement of the Monastery Walls: Structural improvements were made to fortify the monastery against environmental wear, ensuring its long-term preservation. * Restoration of the Monastic

Chapel A chapel (from , a diminutive of ''cappa'', meaning "little cape") is a Christianity, Christian place of prayer and worship that is usually relatively small. The term has several meanings. First, smaller spaces inside a church that have their o ...

: The chapel underwent repairs and enhancements to accommodate growing liturgical needs and maintain its sanctity as a place of worship. A power of attorney dated July 9, 1617 was issued, giving full authority to Fray Plácido Corral, Procurator General of the conventual order and resident at the monastery in Madrid, to act on behalf of the monastery. Fray Plácido was authorized to collect and recover the remaining 306 ducats of the 600-ducat bequest that Fray Juan Fernández de Medrano had allocated to the Monastery of San Prudencio in his will. This also included any other bequests or dues owed to the monastery, whether in Madrid or elsewhere, ensuring that all obligations from Fray Juan’s estate and others were fulfilled.''Archive of La Rioja,'' pp. XVII-XVIII.

Participation in Governance

The last known record of Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval dates to February 10, 1618, when he participated in a chapter meeting at the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce. During this meeting, Juan and his fellow monks gathered to deliberate on significant administrative and operational matters of the monastery, including property management and internal governance. The records reveal his role as a signatory on various legal and financial agreements.

Dedication to the Duke of Lerma

In 1601, Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval contributed to the dissemination of his father’s political ideas by playing a role in the publication of ''República Mista'', a

authored by

. His father's treatise discusses three precepts, the first is

religion Religion is a range of social system, social-cultural systems, including designated religious behaviour, behaviors and practices, morals, beliefs, worldviews, religious text, texts, sanctified places, prophecies, ethics in religion, ethics, or ...

, the second is

obedience Obedience, in human behavior, is a form of "social influence in which a person yields to explicit instructions or orders from an authority figure". Obedience is generally distinguished from compliance, which some authors define as behavior infl ...

and the third,

justice In its broadest sense, justice is the idea that individuals should be treated fairly. According to the ''Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy'', the most plausible candidate for a core definition comes from the ''Institutes (Justinian), Inst ...

. This work, originally published in 1602, described as the first of seven treatises written by Tomás, was addressed to Francisco de Sandoval, 1st Duke of Lerma, a key political figure and

favourite A favourite was the intimate companion of a ruler or other important person. In Post-classical Europe, post-classical and Early modern Europe, early-modern Europe, among other times and places, the term was used of individuals delegated signifi ...

of King Philip III:

The ship that is governed by two captains faces the storm at peril. The Empire that depends on more than one leader, as experience teaches us, cannot sustain itself. If in the fourth heaven where the Sun that illuminates us resides, another Sun were to join it, the Earth would burn. Although this Kingdom and Monarchy may appear as an image of many bodies, it is no more than one, governed and guided by a single soul, while the members, united as they are, attend solely to the preservation of their own being, which is the public good. The King, our Lord, made Your Excellency (God made him) the Father of this Ship, the soul of this body, and the Sun that illuminates us, recognizing (as wise) the equality of light, which therefore should belong to the subject. For, from his birth, he was as great as he is now in matter and form, which is real, requiring only a shadow under which, as a secondary cause, he might exercise and communicate the rays of his virtues to all who are his subjects in this globe, as it appeared to him (and to the world) that the spirit and heart of Your Excellency were, like that of Augustus, capable of such greatness. Each day, His Majesty recognizes this truth through the effects that confirm it, for no one with good zeal does not wish for the continuation of this good, showing gratitude for what Your Excellency has received. As the most obliged servant, the son of well-recognized servants, I bring these three bouquets of Religion, Obedience, and Justice, with some refinement (shades of the cloak that Your Excellency has always worn) as I found them composed as they are of select flowers in my father's garden. Although it is general for all, there is no silver or flower that does not wish to be cultivated especially for the service of Your Excellency, as the universal father of the republic, to whom all owe their due. And I humbly implore that he order them placed, so they do not wither in the recesses of his grace, continuing the favor that Your Excellency (our lord) has always shown us, in whose virtue and merits we hope for what we can expect from a Prince so great. To respond to such debt, I will only say with Ausonius: “''Your fortune does not desire the return of a reward, nor does ours suggest the capacity to repay''.” In
Madrid Madrid ( ; ) is the capital and List of largest cities in Spain, most populous municipality of Spain. It has almost 3.5 million inhabitants and a Madrid metropolitan area, metropolitan area population of approximately 7 million. It i ...
, on the 22nd of August 1601. — Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval

Ecclesiastic patronage

Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval’s religious devotion mirrored the broader Fernández de Medrano family’s legacy of faith and noble patronage. His father, Tomás Fernández de Medrano, was a knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and secretary of state and war to the Duke of Savoy.

Family patronage of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana

On June 22, 1608, the nuns at the Monastery of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana convened a meeting to confirm his parents as

patrons Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows on another. In the history of art, art patronage refers to the support that princes, popes, and other wealthy and influential people ...

of the monastery. The nuns decision emphasized the family’s ongoing contributions, stating:

Because of the contributions made by their ancestors and relatives, including the establishment and endowment of this convent, we unanimously name Señor Tomás Fernández de Medrano and Doña Isabel de Sandoval as patrons of this monastery and its annexed church.''Copia de algunos papeles''..., s. f. (1609).

The Fernández de Medrano family’s patronage was particularly notable at the Monastery of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana. The monastery, which belonged to the female branch of the

Order of St. John The Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem, commonly known as the Knights Hospitaller (), is a Catholic military order. It was founded in the crusader Kingdom of Jerusalem in the 12th century and had headquarters there u ...

, was strategically located near the highly valuable salt mines of the region. The family held burial rights at the monastery and contributed to its reconstruction and upkeep during the 17th century. Specific contributions at the Monastery of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana included: * Renovation of the

: The Fernández de Medrano family funded the restoration of the collateral chapel, which housed their family burial site and displayed the family coat of arms. * Structural Repairs: Records indicate that the monastery underwent significant structural repairs under the patronage of Tomás Fernández de Medrano and his wife, Isabel de Sandoval, to ensure its continued use as a religious and burial site. * Support for the Nuns: The family also provided financial support for the resident nuns, ensuring the sustainability of their religious practices and the preservation of the monastery’s heritage. The Medrano family pledged and bestowed upon the prioresses, nuns, and the convent, an annual income of fifty ducats for two lifetimes and a one-time contribution of a thousand ducats from their personal estate.

Lordship of Valdeosera

''The Very Noble, Ancient, and Illustrious Solar, Lordship, and Villa of Valdeosera'' is a historic family and noble institution, originating in the 11th century and deeply connected to the significant events of the

La Rioja La Rioja () is an autonomous communities in Spain, autonomous community and provinces of Spain, province in Spain, in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. Its capital is Logroño. Other List of municipalities in La Rioja, cities and towns in the ...

. It represents one of the last remaining examples of ''behetría de linaje'' (lineage-based lordships) or ''de entre parientes'' (among relatives) in Castile. Its noble status was formally reaffirmed in the 15th century by

Henry IV of Castile Henry IV of Castile (Spanish language, Castilian: ''Enrique IV''; 5 January 1425 – 11 December 1474), nicknamed the Impotent, was King of Kingdom of Castile, Castile and Kingdom of León, León and the last of the weak late-medieval kings of Ca ...

in 1460 and later by the

Catholic Monarchs The Catholic Monarchs were Isabella I of Castile, Queen Isabella I of Crown of Castile, Castile () and Ferdinand II of Aragon, King Ferdinand II of Crown of Aragón, Aragon (), whose marriage and joint rule marked the ''de facto'' unification of ...

in the

Vega of Granada The Vega de Granada is a ''comarca'' (county, but with no administrative role) in the province of Granada, in Andalusia, Spain. The name refers to the Granada Basin, basin near the city of Granada. This comarca was established in 2003 by the Gove ...

in 1481. Today, it remains one of Spain's oldest noble corporations, consisting of its Lords and Ladies Diviseros and Diviseras, recognized for their Hijosdalgo heritage and the rights to bear and display

arms Arms or ARMS may refer to: *Arm or arms, the upper limbs of the body Arm, Arms, or ARMS may also refer to: People * Ida A. T. Arms (1856–1931), American missionary-educator, temperance leader Coat of arms or weapons *Armaments or weapons **Fi ...

The Lordship of Valdeosera is a historic noble institution rooted in the 9th century during the early years of the Reconquista. It is closely tied to the battle of Clavijo (c. 844), where St. James the Apostle is said to have miraculously intervened to secure a Christian victory against the Moors. This battle established the prominence of the lords of Valdeosera, who were granted collective

nobility Nobility is a social class found in many societies that have an aristocracy. It is normally appointed by and ranked immediately below royalty. Nobility has often been an estate of the realm with many exclusive functions and characteristics. T ...

and heraldic rights as descendants of the original defenders of the region. The lordship, also known as the ''Solar de Valdeosera'', encompasses thirteen divisions or noble lineages of Sancho Fernández de Tejada, and its members have traditionally held privileges and responsibilities associated with their status. According to the Licentiate Salinas, Juan and his father Tomás Fernández de Medrano, Lord of Valdeosera, are true and legitimate descendants of Sancho Fernández de Tejada, famous knight and general of King

Ramiro I of Asturias Ramiro I ( – 1 February 850) was king of Asturias from 842 until his death in 850. Son of King Bermudo I, he became king following a succession struggle after his predecessor, Alfonso II, died without children. During his turbulent reign, he ...

who participated in the legendary

battle of Clavijo A battle is an occurrence of combat in warfare between opposing military units of any number or size. A war usually consists of multiple battles. In general, a battle is a military engagement that is well defined in duration, area, and force ...

.Licenciado Salinas, ''Sumario de la Memorable y santa batalla de Clavijo, cierto y verdadero origen y antigüedad del Señorío y señores de la villa, solar y divisas de Valdeosera'', Madrid: Pedro Madrigal, 1601.

Dedication to King Philip III of Spain

Juan Fernández de Medrano was involved in documenting and celebrating the history of Valdeosera. In 1601, the Licentiate Salinas authored a work titled "''Summary of the Memorable and Holy Battle of Clavijo: The True Origin and Antiquity of the Lordship and Lords of the Town, Land, and Heraldic Divisas of Valdeosera''," dedicated to King

Philip III of Spain Philip III (; 14 April 1578 – 31 March 1621) was King of Spain and King of Portugal, Portugal (where he is known as Philip II of Portugal) during the Iberian Union. His reign lasted from 1598 until his death in 1621. He held dominion over the S ...

by Friar Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval:

All sources and rivers (my lord) originate from the sea and return to it. Therefore, having addressed Secretary Tomás Fernández de Medrano, my father, regarding the summary and compendium of the memory of the holy battle of Clavijo (in which Your Majesty is so interested on behalf of the glorious King Ramiro), along with the origin, nobility, and antiquity of the lordship and lords of the village, land, and insignia of Valdeosera (since they are connected), it seemed fitting to him (before it was made public) for me to dedicate it to Your Majesty, as the true ocean, origin, and antiquity of all nobility, legitimate lord, lover, and protector of it, as a holy, valiant, and noble King, under whose protection all live very securely, and this lordship will live, this memory will live, and we will live, until we die in the service of Your Majesty. I humbly implore Your Majesty, since you have begun to build on my father's land, placing on the foundation of his merits (at the request of the Serene Highness of Savoy and the intercession of the Duke of Lerma, of whom we are all servants) the stone that is at the end of this plan, that the building not remain incomplete or exposed (as it is) to the ravages of time, but that Your Majesty will be pleased to command its completion, as we all hope from the greatness of Your Majesty, whose Catholic and Royal person may our Lord keep for as many years as Christendom needs. — Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval, 1601.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Medrano, Juan Fernández de 16th-century births 16th-century Roman Catholics 17th-century Roman Catholics Spanish Golden Age 16th-century Spanish nobility Spanish Cistercians