# José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, 1st Marquess of Fontellas

José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, 1st Marquess of Fontellas (Pamplona, 2 March 1761 – Fontellas, 10 February 1826) 1st Viscount of Amaláin, 7th Viscount of Azpa, Lieutenant of the Royal Spanish Guards during the reigns of Charles III of Spain and Charles IV of Spain. José was a nobleman, and aristocrat, serving as a knight of the Order of Malta, a representative to the General Courts for the Military Branch, magistrate of Pamplona and a member of the Cortes of Navarre. Medrano was created 1st Viscount of Amaláin and the 1st Marquess of Fontellas by Royal decree on April 19, 1793, by Charles IV of Spain. His nephew Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Alava succeeded him as the II Marquess of Fontellas.

## Career

The Marquess of Fontellas was the Lieutenant of the Royal Spanish Guards, responsible for protecting the monarchs of Spain. He was a knight of the sovereign and religious military Order of Malta. Involved in political affairs, José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante served in the Cortes of Navarre from 1794 to 1797, and again in 1801. He was a representative to the General Courts for the military arm, and magistrate of Pamplona in the year 1810 and 1813.

## Family background

The Most Excellent José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano was the son of Joaquín Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Alava, VI Viscount of Azpa, Lord of the Villa de Autol and Yerga, etc. and Antonia Francisca de Gante. José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano was born into the rich and illustrious House of Medrano, high nobility from the Kingdom of Navarre and Castile, an ancient family of great renown. Born during the reign of King Charles III of Spain, his family played a significant role in the Spanish monarchy, particularly in His Majesty's education, which was guided by Giovanni Antonio de Medrano. This contribution helped shape one of the most successful monarchs in Europe during the Age of Enlightenment.
Originally established at the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano, the Medrano family had notable figures in the military, church, and politics, rising to international prominence when Juan Martinez de Medrano 'The Elder' became regent of the Kingdom of Navarre in 1328.

### Siblings

José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano was the brother of:
* Judas Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, Lord of Fontellas and Quel, who died unmarried.
* Pedro Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, who succeeds José Joaquín as the 2nd Marquess of Fontellas. Pedro Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, brother of the 1st Marquess of Fontellas, married Maria Ignacia de Alava y Esquivel and had three sons:
** Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Álava, II Marquess of Fontellas, died without succession on May 28, 1858. He was the successor in the Estates of the House of Gante.
** Ramón Vélaz de Medrano y Alava, III Marquess of Fontellas, etc., also died unmarried in 1875. His executors had to engage in a highly publicized legal dispute with Evencio de Gante y San Clemente, the last representative of the Tafalla line.
** Eduardo Vélaz de Medrano, died unmarried in 1865. He was a professor of literature, history of dramatic art in Navarre and music critic for La España and La Zarzuela; author of Historical Review of the Montserrat Music School from 1456 to 1856.

### Palace of Fontellas

This branch of the Medrano family resided in the now-disappeared palace of Fontellas, increasing their territorial assets during the Mendizábal confiscations in Navarra. The title of Fontellas has recently passed outside the descendants of the ancient Lords of this Villa.

### Palace of Mendillori

The Mendillorri Palace is located on an elevated site near the road to Badostáin and originally belonged to the episcopal see. In 1588, it was praised as a "palace of great quality" by Martín de Rada. By 1631, it was owned by Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Liédena, II Viscount of Azpa, who acquired its jurisdiction from the king for 800 ducats.

### Palace and Estate of Ripalda

José Joaquín's father pressed his claim to the County of Ripalda. Even though Ripalda acknowledged Jerónima de Ripalda as his daughter in the mentioned document, it wasn't until December 24, 1726, that Philip V issued a royal decree legitimizing her. While this decree granted her the title of the second Countess after her father's death, it did not secure her succession to the family estate. In 1737, Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa, claimed his rights to the inheritance in court, asserting his rights as the legitimate grandson of María de Ripalda Ayanz de Ureta, born out of a lawful marriage. This claim brought the palace and entailed estate of Ripalda to the Medrano family.

### Viscountcy of Azpa

The Viscountcy of Azpa was created by royal decree in the mid 16th century in favor of Alonso Vélaz de Medrano Navarra y Liédena in Navarre. The first Marquess of Fontellas was the son of Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Álava, 6th Viscount of Azpa.
The 6th Viscount of Azpa was the son of Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Larrea, 5th Viscount of Azpa, and Teresa Brígida Álava. Their palace of Azpa appears as a corporal of armory on the official payroll of the Kingdom. Azpa is located in the Merindad of Sangüesa, 16km east of Pamplona. The palace of Azpa belonged in 1631 to Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, whose guardian, on his behalf, brought a lawsuit in the chamber over the rebate of the barracks. In those years, the firstborn of the Medrano lineage already bore the title of viscount of Azpa.

## Territory

The Marquess José Vélaz de Medrano was the 21st Lord of Autol and Yerga, 13th of Quel de Suso and Ordoyo, the 14th of Fontellas, and the Lord of the towns and palaces of Mendillorri and Beúnzalarrea, the towns of Amaláin, Lavaiz, and Villanueva, and of the palaces and mayorazgo (entailed estate) of Liédena, Azpa, Aoiz, and Ripalda.

## Lordship of Fontellas

José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano became the 14th Lord of Fontellas. Fontellas is located 4 miles (6.5km) away from Tudela. The fiscal inventory carried out after the Castilian invasion of the Kingdom of Navarra in 1512, reflected that Fontellas did not pay "alcaba," which was a tax of the time, because its population was entirely Moslem.
The town of Azpa is recognized as a Basque town and a council of the Foral Community of Navarre belonging to the municipality of the Valle de Egüés. Within the town of Azpa, one can find the palace of the viscounts of Azpa, who were also the Marquesses of Fontellas. The distinguished Medrano family fought in the renowned Battle of Amaiur-Maya in 1522 in defense of the Navarrese crown. This conflict marked the defeat of the final defenders of the Navarrese monarchy at the hands of Castilian forces.

## 1st Marquess of Fontellas and Viscount of Amaláin

On April 10, 1793, Charles IV of Spain granted the title of Marquess of Fontellas and Viscount of Amaláin to José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano, VII Viscount of Azpa and a Knight of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Saint John of Jerusalem, whose Hospitaller Order had estates in Fontellas since the 13th century. José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano was titled Marquess of Fontellas, however he had to pay 843,000 reales (roughly 3,358,000.00 USD) for the rights and processing fees.

## Legal disputes

On 6 June 1791 José Joaquín Velaz de Medrano y Gante, Viscount of Azpa and Lord of several territories in La Rioja, including Autol, Yerga, Quel, and Ordoyo, as well as the estate of Fontellas, was in a legal dispute against Lorenzo Pérez de Laborda, Antonio Pasalodos, Teresa de Sos, and others from Tudela and Fontellas.
The dispute revolves around the invalidity of deeds transferring three inheritances in the Las Estacas area and elsewhere, which were granted in perpetuity with conditions such as commutation and liability, allegedly without proper authorization and belonging to the Fontellas estate. José Joaquín requested the restitution of these inheritances along with their incomes.

### Dispute over the Marquessate

A legal dispute against his parents before the Royal Court involved Diego de Gante Sainz de Texada, Captain of the Navarre Regiment, who requested the Majorazgo and Lordship of Fontellas. He argues that these rights rightfully belong to him as the legitimate son of Francisco de Gante and Josepha Sainz de Texada. Diego tried to have all opposing claims annulled and to be granted possession of the Majorazgo and its associated properties.
Conversely, the defendants, including José's mother Antonia Francisca de Gante, argue that the Majorazgo should be awarded to her, excluding Diego and any other claimants. They also request the annulment of any titles contradicting their claim. The court ultimately ruled in favor of the House of Medrano, Marquesses and Lords of Fontellas.

### Nullifying a moratorium

Between December 2, 1815, and February 9, 1816, Juan Antonio Viguria, administrator of the mayorazgos and estates of the Marquess of Fontellas, filed a lawsuit before the Royal Council of Navarre against José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano Gante, Marquess of Fontellas, a resident of Pamplona. The case sought to nullify a moratorium that had delayed the payment of 27,000 reales due to account discrepancies.

### Legal Dispute Over Feudal Dues (1815–1816)

In 1815, José Joaquín Velaz de Medrano y Gante, Marquess of Fontellas, Viscount of Azpa, was involved in a legal dispute brought before the High Court of Navarra. The case, filed by residents of Azpa, including Francisco Azparren and Nicolás de Iragui, contested the execution of assets to settle outstanding feudal dues (pechas). The dispute centered around the payment of 198 robos of wheat, 150 robos of barley, 35 tarjas, and 6 maravedís, along with additional legal costs amounting to 9 reales and 34 maravedís. The proceedings took place between November 1815 and January 1816.

### Restitution of 50,000 reales

Between May 4, 1813, and September 23, 1817, José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, Marquess of Fontellas, filed a lawsuit before the Royal Council of Navarre against Juan Antonio Viguria, a merchant from Pamplona. The case sought the restitution of 50,000 reales, which Vélaz de Medrano had paid for a share in the Society of Merchants for the Provision of Supplies. He alleged that the transaction was fraudulent and that he had been deceived in the purchase.

### Reimbursment funds

Between December 7, 1814, and April 24, 1817, José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, Marquess of Fontellas, sued Juan Antonio Viguria, a merchant and former administrator, before the Royal Council of Navarre. The case sought the return of 540 ducats from the reimbursement fund, alleging mismanagement of funds.

### Interest debt

Between October 20, 1817, and May 4, 1818, José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, Marquess of Fontellas, was sued before the High Court of Navarre by Juan Antonio de Viguria, executor and administrator of the estate of Tomasa Fermina Ochoa de Olza. The case sought payment of 3,312 reales in interest from a 36,800-real census, which had been granted for the construction of two mills in Fontellas—one for oil pressing and the other for flour milling—as well as for renovations on a house in Tudela.

### Assessment of tax deductions on interest

Between December 1, 1817, and March 15, 1820, José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante, Marquess of Fontellas, pursued legal action before the High Court of Navarre against Juan Antonio Viguria, administrator of the estate of Tomasa Ochoa de Olza and the Beatas Dominicas Seminary of Pamplona, and Juan José Viguria, chaplain of the María Engracia Viguria Foundation. The case sought the appointment of an expert to assess tax deductions on interest from perpetual annuities (censos). The dispute was ultimately ruled on by the Territorial Court.

## Ancestry

José Joaquín's father Joaquín Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Álava was the VI Viscount of Azpa, born in Villafranca de Navarra on 8 June 1728, and died on August 10 1782. José Joaquín's father Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Álava, 6th Viscount of Azpa, was the son of Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Larrea, 5th Viscount of Azpa, and Teresa Brígida Álava.

### Grandfather

His paternal grandfather Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Larrea was the son of José Velaz de Medrano y Navarra, 4th Viscount of Azpa, and Ana María de Larrea y Zunzarren.

### Great-grandfather

José Joaquín was the paternal great-grandson of José Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, 4th Viscount of Azpa, and María de Larrea. José Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra was the son of Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, 3rd Viscount of Azpa, and Maria de Ripalda y Ayanz de Ureta.

### Paternal great-great-grandparents

José Joaquín was the paternal great-great-grandson of Alfonso (Alonso) Vélaz de Medrano, 3rd Viscount of Azpa, and María de Ripalda y Ayanz de Ureta. María de Ripalda was the daughter of Luis de Ripalda and María Ayanz de Ureta. Luis de Ripalda's parents were Luis Ripalda and Agueda Amatriain. Luis de Ripalda, later known as the Count of Ripalda, married María Sebastián. María Sebastián's father was Salvador Sebastián, who was the uncle of Luis Sebastián y Donamaría, the lord of Iriberri.
In the lawsuit over the lordship of Iriberri, the Medrano family, represented by José's father Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa, pressed their claim for the lordship of Iriberri, alongside other claimants. Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano's connection to the lordship stemmed from his lineage, which included Luis Sebastián y Donamaría, the lord of Iriberri. However, Agustín Solano won the claim.

### Great–great–great–grandfather

His great–great–great–grandfather Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, 2nd Viscount of Azpa, was the son of Alonso Vélaz de Medrano Navarra y Liédena, 1st Viscount of Azpa, who served as a captain of cavalry under Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, the 3rd Duke of Alba de Tormes.

### Maternal grandparents

José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano was the maternal grandson of Francisco Javier de Gante y Sáenz de Tejada, 12th lord of Fontellas, Quel and Ordoyo (baptised in Quel on April 23, 1713) and Manuela Gutiérrez de Labarreda. Their daughter Antonia Francisca de Gante Gutiérrez de la Barreda was the last Lady of Fontellas and Quel from this lineage.