# 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 naval commander of the late 16th century. He played a significant role in several key military campaigns, including the battles of Cyprus, Lepanto, Navarino, and Tunis, as well as other expeditions in Italy and Barbary. Diego de Medrano fought in the Mediterranean for twenty years before he was appointed commander of twelve galleys that joined Álvaro de Bazán, Marquess of Santa Cruz in the 1583 expedition to Terceira. As a Squadron General and Captain, Diego de Medrano commanded four galleys in the Spanish Armada, and on the voyage back to Spain, he became interim Admiral of the Spanish Armada.
Captain Diego de Medrano served as the Squadron General of four Neapolitan galleys while commanding the Fortuna de Napoli galley at the famous Battle of Lepanto in 1571. Medrano personally oversaw the construction of the Port of Gibraltar and guarded its strait, including the coast of Andalusia. Diego de Medrano is noted for innovating naval warfare techniques by enhancing the design of his galleys, becoming the first person to successfully cross the ocean with this type of galley. He contributed to the surrender of Faial. For 25 years of service, he was awarded a habit of Santiago and the role as Squadron General and Captain of the São João galleys in the Spanish Armada by King Philip II of Spain.

## Early life

Diego de Medrano was born in Hinojosa del Campo, Soria, in 1545. He was born into the ancient and noble Medrano family. He was the son of the nobleman Juan Fernández de Medrano. Diego was the brother of Tomás Fernández de Medrano, Lord and Divisero of Valdeosera, Francisco Fernández de Medrano, Lord and Divisero of Regajal, and Lázaro Fernández de Medrano, an ensign in the military.

### Ancestry

Diego Fernández de Medrano was a nobleman with a prominent lineage in the navy and in the service of the royal monarchy. His ancestor Diego López de Medrano, chief equerry of the Prince of Spain, accompanied Prince Philip, the future Philip II of Spain, on his journey from Roses, Girona, to Genoa in November 1548, aboard the galley of Antonio de Toledo. Diego López de Medrano was the namesake son of Diego López de Medrano, mayordomo mayor (High Steward) of Empress Isabella of the Holy Roman Empire, the wife of Emperor Charles V; and the grandson of the ricohombre Diego López de Medrano y Vergara, Lord of San Gregorio, Cañaveruelas, and a member of His Majesty's Council.
According to Licentiate Salinas, Diego and his brothers were also descendants of Sancho Fernández de Tejada, renowned knight and general of King Ramiro I of Asturias, who participated at the battle of Clavijo, culminating in the origin of the Lordship of Valdeosera.

### Soria

The House of Medrano is notable for being one of the most powerful in the Sierra de Cameros [es] and in Soria. The House of Medrano managed their lordships and maintained their main resources, maize cultivation and especially sheep farming. Their livestock, which included 15,000 sheep, grazed in those lands, and hundreds of times they walked to the pastures of Extremadura or the royal valley of Alcudia, in La Mancha. The House of Medrano, Lords of the town of San Gregorio and many other entailed estates of the Medrano lineage in Soria and its region, are knights of great antiquity and nobility.

## Military career

Diego de Medrano stood out in the famous battles of Terceira and Lepanto. He was also crucial in the fight against corsairs on the Galician and Portuguese coasts. On 7 February 1588, Diego de Medrano wrote a letter in Lisbon, addressed to King Philip II of Spain, recalling all of his previous naval warfare experience, writing:
   I beseech you to remember my twenty-five years of service, including the twenty years in these galleys, during which I assisted in the relief of Cyprus as captain of the galley Fortuna of Naples, and also in the naval battle of Lepanto, where I served to the satisfaction of the late Don Juan of Austria, and in the expedition to Navarino, where I was entrusted with twelve galleys. In the expedition to Tunis and other occasions, the late Marqués de Santa Cruz entrusted me with many bands of galleys for Sicily, Naples, and Spain. When Your Majesty assigned the galleys to the said Marqués, he immediately sent me to winter in Gibraltar with eight galleys under my command, to attend to the construction of that port and the guard of that strait, as Your Majesty knows. The following spring, by Your Majesty's order, I accompanied Pedro de Vanegas on his return from Safi, who was going to Barbary with twelve galleys, and I continued with the squadron of galleys until they arrived at the expedition of this kingdom, guarding the coast of Andalucia. There were several occasions when I captured a French ship, which Your Majesty acknowledged with satisfaction, and I guarded the coast of Spain with them. I brought Don Pedro de Padilla to Orán and to the officials who went to take possession of the African borders, all by Your Majesty's order. Lastly, I took the galleys to the Tercio, as Your Majesty knows and as I served.

### Battle of Lepanto (1571)

In 1571, Diego de Medrano served as a captain and squadron general in the Holy League and participated in the victorious battle of Lepanto against the Ottoman Empire in the Gulf of Patras. During the battle of Lepanto, Captain Diego de Medrano personally commanded the Fortuna de Napoli galley, with a Fortuna as an ensign. He foght alongside the Mendoza de Naples under Martino de Caide, and the Luna de España under Diego López de Llanos. They formed the central division of 16 Spanish and Neapolitan galleys surrounding the flagship of John of Austria.
According to the historian Francisco Mosquera de Barnuevo, Diego de Medrano was a soldier of great determination and experience. General Diego de Medrano commanded four Neapolitan galleys, leading a force of 400 sailors and 110 artillery pieces while overseeing 900 enslaved rowers. In the history of naval warfare, the battle of Lepanto marks the last major engagement in the western world to be fought almost entirely between rowing vessels. It was the largest naval battle in western history since classical antiquity, involving more than 450 warships. The victory of the Holy League is of great importance in the history of Europe and of the Ottoman Empire.

### Conquest of Tunis (1573)

In 1572, Juan de Austria wintered in Naples and received instructions from His Majesty to set out in the spring of 1573 with the fleet to capture Tunis, as the Turks had seized the kingdom from Abu Abdallah Muhammad V al-Hasan, a vassal of the King of Spain. His Highness directed Álvaro de Bazán, Marquess of Santa Cruz to advance with 4,000 men to Tunis and, if possible, take control of the city and fortress.
In the expedition to Tunis, the Marqués de Santa Cruz entrusted Captain Medrano with many bands of galleys for Sicily, Naples, and Spain. Captain Diego de Medrano and the Marquess of Santa Cruz reached Tunis, and on their arrival the Turks and Moors there fled, abandoning the city and fortress, allowing the soldiers to secure good quarters and valuable spoils for the night. The next morning, the Marquess went out to meet Juan de Austria, handing over the keys to the fortress.

### Campaign in the Kerkennah Islands (1576)

In 1576, Captain Diego de Medrano and the Marquess of Santa Cruz embarked with 4,000 soldiers from Zaragoza and headed to Malta to plan a campaign against the Kerkennah Islands. After successfully navigating the sandbanks and engaging in a skirmish with the Moors, the Marquess and Captain Medrano organized a landing operation. The operation involved Spanish infantry, cavalry from the Order of Saint John, and horses specially brought for the campaign. During the battle, Captain Diego de Medrano was injured, but the forces managed to push the Moors back, securing the island and gaining valuable spoils.

### Operations in the Azores (1583)

Diego de Medrano, as Captain of the Capitana galley, commanded twelve galleys on the Azores expedition. Álvaro de Bazán, Marquess of Santa Cruz, appointed squadron General Diego de Medrano to command twelve galleys which played a crucial role at the battle of Terceira in 1583, ultimately securing .
The naval battle of Vila Franca do Campo, also known as the naval battle of Terceira Island, started on 26 July 1582, off the coast of the island of São Miguel in the Portuguese archipelago of the Azores, during the War of the Portuguese Succession. To reinforce the Spanish in this battle, Álvaro de Bazán, Marquess of Santa Cruz, meticulously prepared twelve galleys from the Spanish fleet and entrusted them to the "brave and experienced" Captain Diego de Medrano in the spring of 1583. In the Invincible, he is mentioned among the valiant captains and lords who followed the Spanish fleet, specifically:
   From the galleys, Captain Medrano, who led them on the expedition to the island of Terceira.

#### Medrano's historic innovation of the Spanish Galleys

After Spain's first attempt at sailing galleys to the Azores had failed in 1582, Diego de Medrano enhanced the galleys in 1583 by raising the bulwarks, modifying the rigging by adding three masts, with the two main ones equipped with square sails. Diego's efforts allowed him to achieve a very successful voyage to the Island of São Miguel. He was the first to cross the ocean with this type of galley, and was mainly responsible for the surrender of the island of Terceira, and ultimately, the surrender of Faial Island.

#### Voyage to the Island of São Miguel (3 July 1583)

On Sunday the 26th of June, since the weather was in their favor, the Marquess decided to send the twelve galleys ahead under the command of Captain Diego de Medrano. Medrano's galleys set sail before the rest of the fleet and arrived at San Miguel without incident on 3 July 1583. Diego de Medrano's galleys were the first to be seen on the open sea, something never accomplished before. On 10 July 1583, Jorge Manrique wrote to King Philip II of Spain regarding Captain Medrano's successful navigation and victory:
   Captain Diego Medrano crossed with the 12 galleys, and during the navigation, he was so vigilant and careful, and everything turned out so well, that he deserves to be shown great favor by Your Majesty, as a demonstration, so that others may be encouraged to take on what everyone judged to be so difficult, and to encourage him to do so, considering its great importance. I promised him in the gulf that I would bring this matter to Your Majesty, as I am doing now, and I beg Your Majesty to release me from this obligation, as everything should be for your better service. May God keep you, etc. — From the city of Punta Delgada, July 10, 1583. — D. Jorge Manrique.
Despite the risks of navigating the Gulf of the Yeguas in low, broad ships prone to instability in rough seas—especially given previous difficulties encountered by ships sent by Alonso Bazán—Medrano and his twelve galleys successfully reached the island of San Miguel. This achievement was greatly admired and celebrated by the Spanish. According to the Spanish historian and writer Luis Cabrera de Córdoba in his famous Historia de Felipe II:
   The twelve galleys of the Spanish fleet were well-prepared at Santa Cruz and were entrusted to Captain Medrano. It seemed reckless to rely on low-lying, long and unstable ships in the face of high waves (...) yet these twelve arrived safely at the island of San Miguel, a thing to admire and celebrate in the hearts of the Spanish.

#### Navigating the Island of São Miguel

On 3 July 1583, Diego de Medrano was ordered to navigate the Island independently before the rest of the fleet arrived. It took the rest of the fleet 10 days after the galleys' arrival to finally gather at São Miguel.
The entire fleet continued its journey with light winds, until Wednesday, July 7, when the island of São Miguel was sighted. Medrano's Capitana gathered the fleet on the 13th, which allowed them to finally anchor in the town of Villafranca and the city of Punta Delgada, within sight of each other, four leagues apart. Once anchored, they replenished supplies.
On Diego's arrival, instructions were issued for the tercio of Agustín Íñiguez de Zárate, which comprised 2,288 soldiers, to board his twelve galleys. The fleet was also tasked with loading the siege artillery, gun carriages, carts, and all the equipment needed to operate the artillery, along with the mules required to move the pieces, as well as the munitions and supplies stored on São Miguel. In addition, the 22 "large flat-bottomed boats designed specifically for disembarking infantry" that were on the island were to be transported for the conquest of Terceira.

#### War Council

Diego de Medrano, as the captain of the Capitana and Squadron General of the twelve Spanish Galleys, participated in the war council sessions led by the Marquess of Santa Cruz, where strategic discussions and decisions were made regarding the amphibious assault. Medrano's involvement was crucial due to the important role the galleys played in supporting the landing. Alongside other key military leaders, Medrano contributed to the unified command and coordinated efforts necessary for the successful conquest of Terceira.
Álvaro de Bazán issued orders establishing rules of conduct for the military discipline of both his soldiers and his naval and land officers during the campaign. Soldiers were instructed not to act in combat beyond the orders of their superiors, under penalty of being punished. Álvaro de Bazán also ruled that:
   If the fleet anchors or lands anywhere, no one is to go ashore, nor is any boat or skiff or any other type of vessel to go ashore, without permission from [Medrano's] Capitana.
Diego de Medrano, who commanded the galleys, was instructed by the Captain General to reinforce his galleys involved in the landing operation to protect them from enemy fire. This included adding "thick plank screens" to their sides and reinforcing the rams with additional protections like "canvas bags, ropes, and planks."
The galleys assigned to bombard the defenses of the cove of das Molas carried 50-60 arquebusiers and musketeers each, who were responsible for suppressing the defenders and covering the landing. Medrano's personal Capitana galley, likely one of the four bombarding the fortifications, may have carried additional soldiers due to its larger size and central role in the attack.
The galleys provided direct artillery support to destroy the defenses at das Molas and tow the landing boats and other vessels to the site, occupying land and beach. The rowers were required to exert significant effort to reach the objective quickly, which was crucial for the success of the operation. They set sail for the Island of Terceira.

### Conquest of Terceira (1583)

The Spanish fleet arrived at Terceira Island on the morning of Saturday, July 23. Captain Diego de Medrano stood out in the front line during the conquest of Terceira Island in 1583. Medrano's galleys allowed for marine infantry to be used for the first time in order to occupy beaches and land.
Of the twelve available galleys, eight of his galleys directly supported the landing operation. Four of these galleys were tasked with rowing to the bay of das Mós without towing landing boats, likely to clear enemy boats, serve as scouts, and engage the fort and trenches with their fire. The remaining four galleys were responsible for towing between 7 and 8 large flat-bottomed landing boats each, securing them in the bay until the order to land was given.
During the battle of Terceira in 1583, Diego's relative Juan de Medrano participated with him in the campaign. Captain Juan de Medrano, leader of one of the seven companies under the command of Juan de Sandoval, Marquess of Villamizar, brother of Francisco de Sandoval y Rojas, V Marquess of Denia (future Duke of Lerma), with fifteen banners from Naples and Lombardy, drawn from the garrisons of Portugal, leading a force of one thousand five hundred and forty-four soldiers.

#### Spanish victory at the Island of Terceira

The Spanish victory in 1583 resulted in the rapid Spanish conquest of the Azores and completed the incorporation of Portugal into the Spanish Empire. Contemporary observers recognized the magnitude of this union. The Dominican preacher Brother Hernando del Castillo wrote that, with the union of the kingdoms of Portugal and Castile, Philip II would be "the most powerful lord and king in the world."
The conquest of Terceira in 1583 and the success of the campaign was not only due to the strength and discipline of the forces but also to the meticulous planning and execution of the landing by Diego de Medrano. His galleys were crucial in selecting the right landing site, executing a feint towards Plaía, and defending and ensuring the swift consolidation of the beachhead, which were key factors in the overall victory. The operation's success, characterized by surprise and rapid exploitation of the initial gains, is considered a model for modern amphibious assaults. The lessons learned from this campaign were so significant that Álvaro de Bazán, from the city of Angra, proposed a similar expedition against England the following year, confident in the abilities of his experienced Captains.

### Preparation for the Spanish Armada

In late 1587, as Spain concentrated its naval forces in Andalusia and Lisbon for Atlantic operations, piracy surged in Galicia and the Algarve. Despite recommendations to reinforce coastal defenses, no permanent galley force was stationed in the region. Instead, four of Portugal’s best galleys were removed, reinforced, and integrated into the Felicíssima Armada under Diego de Medrano’s command.

## The Spanish Armada (1588)

In 1588, the King of Spain rewarded Diego's 25 years of service, innovation of the galleys and victory at the islands of Terceira, Lepanto and Faial, by granting him the habit of Santiago and appointed him to command the four galleys of Portugal that were part of the Spanish Armada. The São João galleys of Portugal in the Spanish Armada appointed to Captain Diego de Medrano were named: Capitana, Princesa, Diana and Bazana. In response, Captain Diego de Medrano wrote to King Philip II of Spain in a letter dated 7 February 1588 in Lisbon:
   Sir: I have learned from Don Alonso de Bazán that Your Majesty wishes for me to take charge of the galleys on this expedition. I humbly kiss Your Majesty’s feet for the favor granted to me in this matter... I beseech Your Majesty to grant me a favor in accordance with the quality of my person and honor, and may God preserve Your Majesty with increased life and greater realms and lordships, as Christendom needs and this vassal desires. From Lisbon, February 7, 1588. Diego de Medrano.

### Galleys of Portugal

In 1588, Diego de Medrano commanded four Portuguese galleys as part of the Spanish Armada. These vessels were manned by a total of 362 sailors and 888 rowers and were armed with 20 artillery pieces, carrying 1,200 cannonballs, 60 units of gunpowder, 20 units of lead, and 20 coils of rope. Each galley had five cannons and was similarly supplied, with the Capitana having the largest crew of 106 sailors and 303 rowers, followed by the Princesa, Diana, and Baçana. These galleys were a key component of Spain’s naval operations, though their effectiveness was limited by the challenges of open-sea navigation in the Atlantic.

### Background

In 1588, The Catholic King, set on avenging the death of Mary, Queen of Scots, and reinstating Catholicism, launched an enterprise on Protestant England. After the death of Don Alonso de Bazán, Marquess of Santa Cruz, the King appointed Alonso de Guzmán y Sotomayor, 7th Duke of Medina Sidonia to replace the Marquess and to lead the Spanish Armada. The Duke followed the advice of many brave captains and leaders accompanying the Armada, notably Captain Medrano, who had 25 years of previous experience in naval warfare.

### Organization of the galleys

In the fleet, squadron General and Captain Diego de Medrano was positioned with his Portuguese squadron under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia, starboard of the Castilian squadron led by Don Flores de Valdés.
In late May, Medrano set sail from Lisbon with the fleet, anchoring in Cascais on May 29th. The galleys assisted in maneuvering the larger galleons out of Portugal due to weak winds.

### Medrano's galleys in the Muxía Bay

Before leaving for the English Channel, the Duke of Medina Sidonia told Diego de Medrano to wait for him in Muxía Bay, four leagues beyond the Cape. Upon sighting the Armada, de Medrano was instructed to join him immediately, without delay. For several weeks, General Diego de Medrano's galleys—Capitana, Princesa, Diana, and Bazana—took refuge in Muxía Bay.

### Journey to A Coruña and capture of English ships

After several weeks of refuge in Muxía Bay, Captain Diego de Medrano received new orders to set course for A Coruña, due to a severe storm which forced the Duke of Medina Sidonia to anchor there. On his way to A Coruña, Captain Diego de Medrano captured two English ships.
On June 10, Medrano's galleys—Capitana, Diana, La Bazana, and La Princesa—were sent ahead to La Coruña to restock provisions, as many of those initially loaded were of poor quality.
Diego de Medrano and his galleys from Muxía arrived in A Coruña on 17 June 1588. The main fleet, caught in a severe storm, arrived in La Coruña on June 18, while Diana sustained damage and was later redirected to Lisbon for repairs, ending its role in the campaign. The Duke of Medina Sidonia's fleet remained in port, and the ships scattered by the storm rejoined. The Duke of Medina Sidonia resupplied in A Coruña while Captain Diego de Medrano and his galleys helped with loading and unloading.

### Council of Generals on Medrano's Capitana

A council of generals was held on Medrano's Capitana galley. Several meetings of captains were convened, with gatherings on the 18th, 19th, and 20 July 1588.
On 18 July 1588, it was unanimously agreed to alter the combat formation to a structure consisting of three squadrons or tactical groups: vanguard, main battle group, and rearguard. The transport ships, primarily the urcas and smaller vessels, would be positioned in the main battle group, which would be flanked by the galleys and galleasses.

### Departure

The Spanish Armada officially set sail from Lisbon on 21 July 1588 (N.S), and headed for the English Channel. On July 22, Medrano's galleys departed with the reassembled fleet. On July 23, strong favorable winds propelled the armada forward, benefiting larger ships but posing challenges for the aging galleys. That same day, Diana began leaking severely, forcing it to divert to Vivero, where it arrived heavily damaged. After repairs, it was sent to Lisbon and took no further part in the campaign. Medrano's remaining three galleys continued without major issues. He noted that, despite using only their foresails, they outpaced other ships that had full sails set. Medrano continued with the remaining three galleys, and by July 24-25, under favorable southwest winds, the fleet covered over 300 miles in 53 hours.

### Medrano's galleys off the coast of Cornwall

According to Carlo Feneke Muñoz, author of the Muñoz Treatise, written in 1603:
   In the year 1588 the General Don Diego Medrano, commanding the galleys, was directed to open the orders he was given only on sighting the Lizard, on the coast of Cornwall; when he made this headland he carried out these directions and found that he was ordered to set another course, one that conflicted with all the requirements both of seamanship and tactics--the more obviously so in view of the advantageous position he was in. For instance, he had made the coast where required, in a very favorable spot; he had the tides with him; he had the advantage of the wind; and through their neglect he had surprised the enemy, who were taken unawares by his arrival. And therefore I am certain that if he had been left to himself, he would have carried out his operations like a good seaman, always keeping the enemy fleet in his sights, if that accursed order had not impeded him...
However, conditions deteriorated on July 26 when a strong northerly wind and squalls struck. By the following day, the storm worsened, with rough seas battering the fleet. Medrano’s galleys remained visible throughout July 26 but lost contact by nightfall due to worsening seas, rain, and low visibility. Seeking shelter, they diverted toward the French coast with the patache Nuestra Señora de Gracia for support.

### Return to Spain

During their expedition to England in 1588, Captain Diego de Medrano requested permission from Juan Martínez de Recalde to leave the fleet. The Diana took on a lot of water upon entering the Cantabrian Sea, as Medrano observed that the waters were too rough for the galleys. Medrano's galleys had left the fleet before the first encounter with the English fleet. Captain Diego de Medrano and his galleys returned on 26 July 1588, after enduring the storm, however 200 cannons were removed from the Armada as a result.
Medrano's Capitana galley, which had 5 cannons, 57 sailors, and 56 soldiers returned to an unknown Spanish port. The Bazana galley, which had 5 cannons, 40 sailors, and 26 soldiers, returned to the coast of Spain. The Diana galley, which had 5 cannons, 47 sailors, and 32 soldiers, returned to A Coruña. According to the English, Diana sank near Boulogne, France, however this galley was in A Coruña when Drake and Norreys' fleet attacked in 1589, leading to the myth of María Pita.
On the night of July 27, La Princesa reached Blavet (Lorient) and later returned to San Sebastián. The Capitana attempted to rejoin the fleet but was unable to and instead assisted La Bazana, which was taking on water. On July 30, Medrano attempted to tow La Bazana, but a violent squall forced them apart. The Capitana was severely damaged, losing two cannons, its oars, and part of its structure, ultimately disappearing from sight alongside the remaining galleys and the patache.
At dawn on July 31, Medrano’s Capitana sighted the French coast and found La Bazana, which had run aground the night before. By midday, La Bazana lost its rudder and became further stranded. Meanwhile, the patache Nuestra Señora de Gracia successfully reached San Sebastián. While Medrano's galleys struggled, the Spanish fleet continued toward England, facing storms and heavy losses.
The absence of galleys became critical on July 31 when the Nuestra Señora del Rosario was abandoned after losing its masts, as no galleys were available to tow it. Similar issues arose on August 2, when a lack of maneuverability cost the fleet a chance to attack stranded English ships. The need for galleys became evident again on August 6, when English fire ships forced the fleet to scatter, leading to the disastrous battle of Gravelines and the eventual failure of the campaign.

### Appointment as Interim Admiral of the Spanish Armada

In the aftermath of the Spanish Armada's failed campaign in 1588, Captain Diego de Medrano became interim Admiral of the Spanish Armada during the retreat of the remaining fleet. After the Duke of Medina Sidonia and the bulk of the Armada reached Santander, Captain Diego de Medrano temporarily took command following the death of Admiral Miguel de Oquendo.
Interim Admiral Don Diego de Medrano was responsible for leading the remnants of the fleet during a particularly challenging period, marked by severe storms and the loss of several ships, including the Santa Ana, which accidentally exploded in the port of El Pasaje. Despite the difficulties, Medrano's leadership helped to manage the scattered and depleted fleet as they sought refuge along the northern coasts of Spain.

### Result of the 1588 expedition

Strategic mistakes, particularly the inability to effectively coordinate the Armada with Farnese's Army in Flanders, along with delays that led to unfavorable weather conditions, ultimately doomed the operation. Medrano's galleys were a vital part of the armada, having proven their capability in the 1583 conquest of Terceira and prior Atlantic voyages. While not ideal for open-ocean travel, they were adaptable, but the severe July storm severely impacted their role. Galleasses demonstrated their firepower and strategic value but were hindered by limited maneuverability. Their effectiveness would have been greater if properly manned and supported by galleys, as Santa Cruz had recommended, following their successful coordination at the battle of Lepanto.

## Death

According to Licentiate Salinas, Diego de Medrano died in 1588 during the expedition of the Spanish Armada:
   "[Diego de Medrano] died in the expedition to England."

## Family

The Medrano family coat of arms in La Rioja is described as a shield divided in the middle: on the right side, an argent field with a sable bend, crossing from corner to corner with a gules border with 8 argent crosses of San Andres; on the left side, a gules field with an argent cross fleury, surrounded by an Or border and the Ave Maria family motto written in sable letters.

### The House of Medrano under the reign of a Holy Roman Emperor

Diego de Medrano was born during the reign of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, who ruled as King of Spain from 1519 to 1556. On 1 September 1552, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issued the Carta Ejecutoria de Hidalguía to confirm the noble status of the Medrano family. Detailed genealogical records are presented to support his family's claim to nobility. The document, created in Valladolid and Arenas, Spain, concludes with official signatures and seals, affirming their noble status. It contains copies of documents issued in the names of the Countess Juana Pimentel, King Henry III, Álvaro de Luna, and others.

### Siblings
#### Tomás Fernández de Medrano

According to Licentiate Pedro Fernández Navarrete (b. 1564) and Licentiate Salinas, Captain Diego de Medrano was the brother of Tomás Fernández de Medrano, Knight of the Order of Saint John, Lord, High Magistrate, and Divisero of Valdeosera, Secretary of State and War to the Dukes and Princes of Savoy, etc. From 1579 to 1581, his brother Tomás served on the galleys of Genoa as a Secretary for Prince Giovanni Andrea Doria, Marquis of Torrilla and famous Italian Admiral. His nephew, Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval, son of his brother Tomás, dedicated his father's political treatise República Mista to Francisco de Sandoval y Rojas, 1st Duke of Lerma.
Diego de Medrano was the paternal uncle of Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval and Maria Ana Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval, legitimate children of Tomas Fernández de Medrano and Isabel de Sandoval, his wife, a relative of Francisco de Sandoval y Rojas, 1st Duke of Lerma.

#### Francisco Fernández de Medrano

Diego's second brother Francisco Fernández de Medrano was the Lord and Divisero of Regajal, who fought during the French Wars of Religion under Alexander Farnese, Duke of Parma. Francisco Fernández de Medrano married Maria Ana de Espinosa. His brother Francisco was the ancestor of Diego Fernández de Medrano y Zapata, Lord and Divisero of Regajal, Governor of the Province of Carrión in the valley of Atlixco.
Captain Diego de Medrano was the paternal uncle of Diego Fernández de Medrano y Espinosa and Don Francisco Fernández de Medrano y Espinosa, legitimate sons of Don Francisco Fernández de Medrano and Doña María Ana de Espinosa, his wife, Lords of the Solar and Divisa de Regajal. El Regajal is a unique estate located in the municipality of Aranjuez, at the southern border of the Community of Madrid.
Diego's nephew Diego Fernández de Medrano y Espinosa was born in Logroño in 1564, his grandfather had also been a secretary to Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. In 1607, he was appointed chaplain of honor, judge of the royal chapel, administrator and deputy of the Royal Hospital of the court and even testamentary executor of Margaret of Austria, Queen of Spain.
Diego's brother Captain Francisco Fernández de Medrano was registered in the census of divisional knights: "captain, neighbor of Entrena. Registered on 1 May 1596. Divisa de Regajal."
In the lists of councilors published by José María Bañuelos, his brother "Captain Francisco de Medrano" appears as a yearly councilor in 1606, along with "Captain Medrano" in 1612, 1615, and 1628.

#### Lázaro Fernández de Medrano

Diego's third brother Lázaro Fernández de Medrano served in the military as an ensign. Lázaro Fernández de Medrano, a resident of Entrena, was registered on May 1, 1596, in the land of Valdeosera, from the Velilla branch, lords of that town.

### Relatives

Captain Diego de Medrano was a close relative of García de Medrano y Castejón, Lord of San Gregorio, a knight of the Order of Santiago, procurator of Soria, Councilor of the Royal Council of Castile and Council of Justice.
Diego was a contemporary and relative of Alonso Molina de Medrano, ambassador, inquisitor, Councilor of the Royal Council of Castile; he also served as a Councilor and the first Chamberlain of the Royal Council of the Indies.
Captain Diego de Medrano was also a relative of Hernando de Medrano, Lord of Fuenmayor and Almarza de Cameros in the Kingdom of Castile, paternal grandson of Diego López de Medrano y Zúñiga.
He was also a relative of the famous Captain Gonzálo de Medrano, who fought and died at the great siege of Malta in 1565, while leading his company from Sicily against the Ottoman Turks.
In the old Kingdom of Navarre, Diego had many relatives: the famous author, poet and explorer, Julián Íñiguez de Medrano, Lord of Maumusson; the merino and knight of Navarre, Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, Lord of Igúzquiza, Orendáin, Learza, etc., along with his brother Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, Alcaide and mayor of the royal castle and town of Amaiur-Maya. These three were distinguished leaders, defenders, and diplomats of the independent Kingdom of Navarre during the Spanish conquest, motivated by the dispute between the Beaumont and Agramont families.
In the late 15th and early 16th centuries, The Medrano family in the Kingdom of Castile maintained a very successful rope business under the direction of Diego's relative, Martine de Medrano. Martine was responsible for running his father's rope trading business from San Juan, Puerto Rico, the gateway to New Spain.
Martine de Medrano's sister Catalina de Medrano supplied fine cloth to the royal wardrobe of Queen Isabella I of Castile from 1497 to 1503 and was married to the conquistador Pedro Barba (nephew of Amerigo Vespucci), and then married a second time to the famous maritime explorer Sebastian Cabot, son of the Italian navigator John Cabot.