# Juan Martínez de Medrano

Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar (Basque: Ganix, Spanish: Juan, French: Jean; 13th century – December 1337–May 1338), nicknamed the Elder, was the regent of the Kingdom of Navarre from 13 March 1328 until 27 February 1329, a judge of the Navarrese Cortés, Baron and Lord of Arroniz, Sartaguda, Viana, Fontellas, Monteagudo, and Villatuerta, ricohombre of Navarre. He was a significant representative of the ricoshombres and estates of the realm and became the lieutenant of the Governor of Navarre from 1329–1330. Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar was a prominent figure of the Navarrese high nobility and main head of his lineage. Juan participated in the most relevant political events that occurred in the Kingdom of Navarre in the first half of the 14th century.
Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar and his son Álvaro Díaz de Medrano are known for their modifications or amendments (amejoramientos) of the Navarrese Fueros, commissioned in 1330 by King Philip III of Navarre.

## Background

Juan Martínez de Medrano was the son of the ricohombre Juan Martinez de Medrano, Lord of Sartaguda and Viana, and Maria de Aibar.

### The House of Medrano in Viana (1260)

In 1260 AD, the regent's father Juan Martínez de Medrano was given the tower of Viana by King Theobald II of Navarre. His father was designated as the person responsible for defending the town and villages in that area on the border of Navarra with Castilla. In the year 1264, his father Juan Martinez de Medrano was a noble knight and the alcaide of the castle of Corella.
As a result, his father's prestige rose, since in 1300 the council of Viana recognized the representation that Juan Martínez de Medrano made before the kings of Navarra defending their claims to the Kingdom. The presence of the Medrano family in Viana was significant, however it also generated tensions and conflicts. In 1310, a peace agreement was finally reached between Juan González de Medrano, the moneylender of Viana, and the council of Viana, whose confrontation was considerable. There had been deaths on both sides, who gave up their hostilities, disputes, and violence.
Between 1277 and 1307, Juan Martínez de Medrano, Lord of Sartaguda, appeared as the Alcaide of Viana, with an annual retention of 7 pounds and 35 cahíces. From 1307, his son Juan Martinez de Medrano y Aibar continued in charge of the castle until 1321. In 1328, his son Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Sanchez became Alcaide of Viana, receiving an emolument of 35 pounds.
In 1365, the murder of Fernando Ruiz de Dávalos prompted the kings to assign Miguel Martínez de Viana, a moneychanger (who had been Alcaide of Viana Castle from 1351 to 1357), and Ferrán Sánchez de Medrano, a squire, the responsibility of maintaining order and apprehending those involved. By the mid-15th century, the Vélaz de Medrano family remained in command of a military garrison in Viana. The House of Medrano maintained a relative influence in the town for centuries.
When the Principality of Viana was established, the town and castle were integrated as its head. During the war with Castile in 1430, mosén Juan Vélaz de Medrano IV reinforced the fortification with 10 armed men and 20 crossbowmen. In 1437, Juan Vélaz de Medrano IV established the Vélaz de Medrano mayorazgo, recognized as the oldest mayorazgo in Viana.

### Lordship of Fontellas and Monteagudo

King Philip I of Navarre (IV of France) granted the town of Fontellas and Monteagudo as a lifetime donation to Juan Martínez de Medrano in 1304, which later do not appear in royal records because Juan managed them directly. By 1330, under the Évreux rule, royal grants to the nobility increasingly mirrored traditional homage, blending new financial practices with entrenched feudal structures established by Joan II and Philip III of Navarre. The Marquessate of Fontellas was later granted by Royal Order to the House of Medrano at the end of the 18th century.

## Rise in Ranks

The council of Baigorri granted him the hunting and firewood rights of the lower pasture of Baigorri in 1291. As a prominent knight in the Kingdom of Navarre, Juan Martínez de Medrano The Elder held key military and administrative roles as Alcaide, bailiff, and tenant-in-chief of various fortresses in the merindades of Estella and La Ribera from the late 13th to early 14th century. In 1280, during the reign of Queen Joan I of Navarre, he commanded Artajo castle. By 1283, he was granted Corella castle. From 1307, he was in charge of the castle of Viana until 1321. He was also given the castle of Asa.

### Juan Martínez de Medrano delivers letters to the Kingdom of Navarre

A trusted person of the Crown, in 1305, Philip the Fair (Philip IV of France, King of Navarra from 1284 to 1305) and the heir prince Louis X sent him along with the knight Juan de Bochierre with letters destined to calm the kingdom of Navarre after the death of Queen Juana I on 2 April 1305.

## Ricohombre of Navarre

Juan Martínez de Medrano took center stage in the sociopolitical arena with his appointment as ricohombre (rich-man), a dignity that he enjoyed shortly before 1309 during the reign of King Louis X of France and Navarre.

### Oath ceremony of Philip V of France and Navarre (1319)

Under this condition, along with five ricoshombres and other representatives of the kingdom, he went to Paris for the oath ceremony of King Philip V of France and Navarre on 30 September 1319.

### Ricoshombres of Navarre

Since the beginning of the century, he was known by the nickname "the Elder," undoubtedly to distinguish him from his namesake son, "the Younger," who received a ricohombría in 1323.
His father Juan Martínez de Medrano was granted the title ricohombre in 1291. Ricohombre is a title given to twelve members of the highest nobility in Navarra, previously known as princes, barons, or lords. In most cases, they were related to the kings. Ricohombre was the highest noble title in the early centuries of Iberian monarchies.
In 1329, it still appears that the number of ricoshombres was limited to twelve. It is known that in the oath made by King Philip III and Queen Joan II, the following personally attended:
* Juan Martínez de Medrano the Elder
* Juan Martinez de Medrano the Younger

## Regency of Navarre (1328–1329)

The House of Medrano gained international prominence when the Capetian main line went extinct, as Juan Martínez de Medrano became Regent of the Kingdom of Navarre in awaiting the arrival of his Queen Joan II and her husband Philippe d'Erveux. His leading role in the political scene came after the death of the last Capetian sovereign, Charles the Fair, on 1 February 1328. Juan Martínez de Medrano The Elder played a key role in Navarrese politics, signing second in the 1328 pact, the 1329 oath, and the Cortes of Olite, surpassing representatives from older, more established baronies. The regency of Juan Martínez de Medrano, which began on March 13, 1328, ushered in eleven months of "popular government" in Navarre. During this period, public power reflected its "popular" character in two key ways: through personnel and symbols. The regime change was marked by the near-total replacement of officials, which would have filled positions with individuals unaffiliated with the monarchy and loyal to the uprising. Meanwhile, the new government, led by Medrano, reinterpreted royal symbols to align with the new political reality, adapting language and family seals to reflect the unprecedented state of a kingdom without a king.

### Election in the Cortes in Puente la Reina (13 March 1328)

The death of King Charles, Joan's younger uncle, in February 1328 paved the way for Joan's accession to the throne of Navarre. The Navarrese, uncomfortable with repressive governors appointed from Paris, were pleased to see the personal union with France come to an end. They held a general assembly at Puente la Reina on 13 March 1328, electing the ricoshombres Juan Martínez de Medrano The Elder and Juan Corbarán de Lehet as regents. Juan Martínez de Medrano dismantled the ruling elite and assumed the supreme jurisdictional faculties corresponding to the Monarchy for almost a year until the arrival of the new Monarchs.
Juan Martínez de Medrano The Elder and Juan Corbarán de Lehet administered the Kingdom of Navarre and public affairs in the name of Joan II, with the title of regents. A solemn embassy was also sent to Rome, in the name of Joan II of Navarre, which was extremely well received. Navarre supported Medrano's candidacy since they disregarded the Salic Law that counted so much for the French.
At the March 13 assembly in Puente la Reina, the assembly vowed to defend the kingdom collectively, ensure the rightful heir's succession, and require the future monarch to swear loyalty to Navarre's laws and customs. They also pledged mutual support in protecting their legal rights, maintaining unity for four years after the king’s oath.
At the meeting in Puente la Reina on March 13, no clergy members were present. The attendees included eight high-ranking ricoshombres, forty-three knights (either in person or through representatives), and the infanzones of Obanos, who were grouped by region (Miluce, Ribera, Irache, and Obanos). The most numerous and enthusiastic participants, however, were representatives from the towns—initially twenty-six, with eighteen more joining in the following days, along with the Viscount of Baigorri.
Juan Martínez de Medrano and Juan Corbarán de Lehet were barons of the greatest antiquity. Undoubtedly, the personal prestige of both weighed in an unprecedented election in the history of Navarre. The appointment as regent of Navarre is a rare and distinguished honour. Such appointments were not handed out casually and were reserved for individuals of exceptional capability and loyalty to the crown. The regency of Juan Martinez de Medrano is seen as the beginning of a new era in the history of Navarre, now once again free from the government of France.

#### Government reorganization

Before the Monarchy's dissolution, the assembly reorganized key positions. At the March 13 assembly in Puente la Reina, Navarrese ricoshombres, knights, and town representatives dismissed Governor Pere Remón de Rabastens, severing ties with the French Crown. They appointed Martín López de Asiain as Procurator of Navarre and replaced court officials with trusted figures. Juan Martínez de Medrano dismissed the previous officeholders and replaced the merinos of Pamplona and Estella. His son Juan Vélaz de Medrano was appointed merino of the Merindad of Estella.

### Negotiations with the French governor

Following his removal, Governor Pere Remón de Rabastens retreated to the Castle of Tudela with a small group of loyalists, defying both the Navarrese and the regents of Navarre. The Capetian faction, though a minor presence in the kingdom, sought support through potential French intervention. The regents, led by Juan Martínez de Medrano the Younger, attempted negotiations, but Rabastens refused to yield control. By April 1328, he continued issuing orders from Tudela, prolonging tensions in the region. On May 13, Governor Pere Remón de Rabastens was removed from the Castle of Tudela.

### Assembly in the Cortes (1 May 1328)

As tensions grew over news from beyond the Pyrenees, Juan de Leoz informed regent Juan Martínez de Medrano on 18 April 1328 about rumors circulating in the capital. Reports claimed that Philippa of Hainault, Queen of France, had given birth to a daughter, that Edward III of England had declared himself King of Navarre, and that he had strengthened ties with the Flemish.
Leoz urged the regents to take action to safeguard the kingdom’s defense. In response, the regents called for the Cortes to convene at the Plaza del Castillo in Pamplona on 1 May 1328, inviting not only ricoshombres, knights, town representatives, and the Obanos assembly but also members of the Capetian faction who had taken refuge in the Castle of Tudela.
The primary issue on the agenda was the dynastic succession, with the Cortes set to determine which of the four claimants had the strongest right to the Navarrese throne:
   The gathering was so large that the deliberations were held outdoors in the procession meadow of the Dominican friars, now the Plaza del Castillo. By a rare and fortunate coincidence, there were no disagreements this time. Everyone unanimously agreed to proclaim Joanna, the only daughter of Louis Hutin, King of France and Navarre, as the legitimate heir. She was married to Philip, Count of Évreux, a 23-year-old nobleman.
On May 4, 1328, the regents, Juan Martínez de Medrano and Juan Corbarán de Lehet, informed Joanna of her recognition as the rightful heir and the oath taken to defend her rights.

### Envoys in France

Regent Juan Martínez de Medrano dispatched Friar Pedro de Aterrabia, a Franciscan, and Friar Ochoa de Salinas, a Dominican theologian, as envoys to France. Meanwhile, French envoys traveling toward Navarre encountered the Navarrese delegation. In response, Juan Corbarán de Lehet ordered the Lord of Agramont to intercept them at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Guillem de la Hala, a former treasurer, slipped into Navarre but was swiftly expelled for suspected subversion.

#### Negotiations in Pamplona and Roncesvalles

On 12 May 1328, Juan Martínez de Medrano The Elder and de Lehet convened Navarrese leaders in Pamplona to counter French interference and met with bishop Jean de Marigny and Syre Ferri de Picquigny in Roncesvalles. After these negotiations, the French envoys abandoned their mission, leading to a settlement where Philip VI of Valois renounced his claim to Navarre in exchange for the counties of Champagne and Brie, while Philip of Évreux, Joanna’s husband, received the duchies of Angoulême, Mortain, and Longueville, securing his succession.
The embassy succeeded as Joan and Philip accepted the decision. The ambassadors returned with official letters and the new kings' initial decisions. On 23 August 1328, Atarrabia met with regents Juan Corbarán de Lehet and Juan Martínez de Medrano in Olite.

### Conditions for the new Monarchy

The Navarrese had taken certain precautions with the new dynasty when three Frenchmen arrived in Navarre as lieutenants of the kingdom. Regent Juan Martínez de Medrano refused to hand over the powers he had received in the Cortes held in Puente la Reina. Juan indicated that he would only do so to his "natural lords" once they had presented themselves in Navarre and sworn to abide by the provisions of the Fuero General. Joan and Philip were also required to agree to other conditions established in the Cortes of Larrasoaña:
* Restrictions on minting new currency
* Prohibition of foreigners holding offices and positions in the kingdom
* Prohibition of selling, encumbering, or exchanging territories of the kingdom
* Their first male child will be crowned king as soon as he turns 20
* In case the queen owner dies before the male child reaches 21, King Felipe should leave the realm so that the successor governs it (which the king accepted not without protesting for forsaking his "right of widowhood," being then fined with 100,000 Livre tournois)
Placing a limitation on the monarchs' reign was an unprecedented and extraordinary condition.

### Restoration of the Monarchy

After the Monarchs agreed to the conditions established in the Cortes of Larrasoaña, the Navarrese regency successfully ended on 27 February 1329 in Larrasoaña, where Juan Martínez de Medrano handed over the seals to Joan II and Philip III of Navarre. With the acceptance of these and other conditions that implied serious decisions - "fechos granados" - the ceremony of fidelity oath was held on 5 March 1329 in the Cathedral of Pamplona.

### Participating in the royal oath (1329)

In the end, both Joan and Philip were crowned, anointed by bishop Arnalt de Barbazan and raised on the shield in Pamplona Cathedral on 5 March 1329. On that day, Juan Martínez de Medrano participated in the royal oath and raised his voice on behalf of the ricoshombres and estates, a genuine representation of the kingdom of Navarre. The most prestigious surnames reflected in Libro de Armería del Reino de Navarra ("The Book of Armory of the kingdom of Navarre") corresponded to very active families in Navarrese politics from the beginning of the 13th century to the first half of the 14th century. Upon arrival of Charles II to the Navarrese throne, few of those famous surnames were part of the social dome: only Monteagudo, Medrano and Lehet remained as rosters of the old noble preponderance.

### Legacy: Regents of Navarre

After Juan's 1328 regency, the Medrano family held the regency of Navarre twice. García de Medrano was elected regent of Navarre on 17 January 1645 for King Charles II of Spain. Pedro Antonio de Medrano was elected regent of the Royal Council of Navarre from 1702 to 1705 during the reign of King Philip V.

## Medrano's amendments of the Fueros of Navarre (10 September 1330)

The prestige achieved by the baron Juan Martínez de Medrano 'the Elder,' a judicious man versed in negotiation, did not cease with the restoration of the Monarchy. He played a pivotal role as a Judge in the Cortes meetings where the succession was decided, and where his proposed amendments to the Fueros—known as "amejoramientos"—were approved.
This marked the return of the Navarrese to their traditional laws. The "Amejoramiento" of the Fuero General, originally crafted during the reign of Sancho el Sabio, was revised on 10 September 1330 with the consent of the Cortes. This significant legal update is attributed to Juan Martínez de Medrano the Elder and his son, Álvaro Díaz de Medrano, under the commission of King Felipe de Évreux.

### New laws and regulations

Juan Martínez de Medrano and his son introduced several new laws and regulations that were not present in earlier versions of the Fueros. These included:
* Witness Testimonies: New criteria were established regarding the validity of witnesses in legal proceedings.
* Prenda (Pledge) Laws: Specific laws regarding the treatment of pledged items, such as animals and precious objects, were added to ensure fair dealings.
* Tax and Tithe Laws: The Fueros included new regulations on tithes, particularly concerning the obligations of Jews and Muslims under Christian rule.

### Amendments and Corrections

Juan corrected various errors from previous editions, including transcription errors and omissions that altered the meaning of certain laws. Some chapters were reorganized, and the numbering system was adjusted to improve the coherence and application of the laws. Juan Martínez de Medrano introduced entirely new laws not found in the earlier versions. For instance:
* Hereditary Rights: New provisions were made regarding the inheritance rights of different social classes, particularly concerning land ownership and the obligations of heirs.
* Military Obligations: Specific duties were outlined for certain religious figures, such as the Abbot of Montearagón and the Bishop of Pamplona, in providing military support to the king of Navarre.
Juan Martínez de Medrano and his son Álvaro successfully drafted the Amejoramiento of 1330, a major legal reform enacted during the Cortes of Pamplona on 10 September 1330. The 34-chapter decree reaffirmed the king’s oath to preserve and enhance Navarrese law. Medrano’s reforms primarily addressed private law, with some provisions extending to penal matters. While six chapters were temporary measures, the Amejoramiento notably referenced the Fuero Viejo (Old Charter), explicitly repealing four ancient fueros and positioning the new laws as a significant modernization of the Fuero General of Navarre.

## Lieutenant of the Governor of Navarre (1329-1330)

Conditioned by his high rank, Juan's harmony with the House of Évreux was evident in the appointment of lieutenant of the governor, a position he held at least in 1329 and 1330. As Head of the House of Medrano in Navarre, he played a key role in preserving his family's noble privileges. He ensured that Medrano-held lordships, including Sartaguda, remained exempt from the monedaje (coinage tax), reinforcing the family's status and influence. Under his leadership, the Medrano lineage maintained its financial advantages while shielding its dependents from royal taxation, consolidating its power in Navarre among the highest nobility.

### Tax revolts in Tudela

In 1329–1330, Tudela revolted, citing the so-called Fueros de Sobrarbe as justification for its nobility. Since the ancient times of its conquest in 1119, the municipality of Tudelana (Tudela) has sought to assert the uniqueness of its tax regime. The conflict and resistance to Royal Treasury demands escalated to a level of rebellion, requiring the intervention of Lieutenant Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Elder' before the people of Tudela.
This insubordination led to coercive measures, involving armed men dispatched to quell the rebellion, accompanied by economic sanctions. These actions extended to other towns, as reflected in corresponding expense items. The total households or houses "maintaining fire" amounted to 39,510, with 15 to 20% considered poor. The resulting figure of approximately 48,000 households aligned closely with estimates by royal treasury agents, forming the basis for subsequent fiscal and financial policies.
For the first annuity, Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar oversaw the collection of contributions, including income from coinage, which represented a significant portion of the total annual receipt in the Royal Treasury. For the first annuity, including contributions from prelates and Jews, the income from coinage represented 39.67% of the total annual receipt in the Treasury. Almost 88.52% of this percentage came from the inhabitants of the good towns and royal farmers. Additionally, the pending collection of one hundred thousand pounds promised to the king, as compensation for supporting his wife's candidacy for the throne of Navarre, was not accounted for in the treasury records. Expenses related to sending emissaries to councils for commitment claims were incurred by Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Elder' before various councils.
The expenses occasioned by sending emissaries to a series of councils, claiming their commitment ("make an obligation through the queen's lady to the king's lord of 100,000 pounds in the general court") are recorded with letters from Juan Martínez de Medrano, lieutenant of the governor, before the councils of:
Los Arcos, Viana, Laguardia, San Vicente de la Sonsierra, Aguilar and Bernedo; Lerín, Miranda, Larraga, Berbinzana, Artajona, Mendigorria and the abbot of Iranzu; Ujué, Mélida, Santacara, Rada, Caparroso, Marcilla, Peralta, Falces, Cárcar, Andosilla and San Adrián; from the valleys of Aibar, Roncal and Salazar; towns of Sesma, Mendavia, Baigorri, Lapoblación and Labraza. The emissaries covered a range of councils, revealing the currency districts, with the messengers approaching the councils.

## Medrano's Brotherhood between Navarrese and Gipuzkoans

In 1328, his son, the merino Juan Velaz de Medrano of the merindad of Estella, knight, with ten horsemen and sixty foot soldiers, marched to meet with Beltran Ibañez de Guevara, lord of Oñate and with those from Álava and Salva-Tierra of the Kingdom of Castile in order to discuss peace and harmony between the borders of the Kingdoms of Navarre and Castile.
The following year, in 1329, witnessed the establishment of the first border brotherhood between the Navarrese and the Gipuzkoans. Responding to a request from the Council of Segura, Juan Martínez de Medrano the Elder, Lieutenant of the Governor of Navarre, embarked on a mission with six horsemen and five hundred and sixty foot soldiers to recover stolen cattle and pigs from Santa Maria de Iranzo (Iranzu). These were taken by Garci Ivaynnes de Arbizu, and upon successful retrieval, the recovered livestock was returned to the monks.
In appreciation of this assistance, the men of Gipuzkoa appealed to Juan Martínez de Medrano the Elder to establish a brotherhood with the Merino of Pamplona for mutual benefit. Recognizing the advantages for the people under his jurisdiction, Juan Martínez de Medrano the Elder agreed, solidifying a five-year brotherhood with the Gipuzkoans.
The subsequent contractual agreement between the Merino of Pamplona and the representatives of Segura for five years is narrated by the officials. This agreement was later extended, upon request, to include the councils of San Sebastián, Fuenterravía, and Tolosa. The King, in response to the need to address killings and cattle thefts by the men of Gipuzkoa in the regions of Burunda and Aranaz, decreed the preparation of a hundred men for the defense of the border. During this period, the unruly elements of Gipuzkoa were grouped around the restless and criminal lineages of Lazkano and Oñaz. Two curious Latin accounts, both from the Merino of Pamplona, clearly indicate this.

### The brotherhood

The circle of the brotherhood was very broad, comprising:
* the valley of Arakil, the towns of Atahondo (Atondo), Murco (which no longer exists), Anoz, San Andrés de Lehet, Artiga (which no longer exists), Ochobi, Heritze (Erice), Sandaynna (which does not exist?), Sarassa, Sarde (which does not exist), Sarluz (id.), Andaz (id.; the five deserted places belonged to the cendea of Iza); the valleys of Bullina (Gulina), Utzama (Ulzama), Odieta, Atez, the town of llarregui (this hamlet is now part of the Ulzama valley), the Lana valley, the town of Eztuniga (Zúñiga), the valleys of Amescoa, Arana, Larraun, Araiz, Bassaburua mayor, Imoz, Deyerri with the monastery of Iranzu, Lerín, Bassaburua menor, the land of Baztan, the five towns near the Lerín valley (Sumbilla, Yanzi, Lesaka, Echalar and Bera), the valley of Anué, the town of Lanz, the valleys of Ezcabart (Ezcabarte), Olabe (this valley is officially called today by its genuine Basque name Olaibar; Olabe is one of its towns), Oyllo (Ollo), San Estéban (this is the valley of Santésban de la Solana, in the Merindad of Estella), Burunda, Araynnaz (Aranáz), the towns of Bernedo and its hamlets, Aguilar, Hussanavilla (Genevilla), Cabredo with its hamlets, Torralba, the valleys of Ega, and La Berrueza.
Information regarding the aforementioned brotherhood is scant, and despite its initial intended duration of five years, it was soon dissolved. By 1334, historical records indicate that the brotherhood of Guipúzcoa, in conjunction with those of Lazcano, besieged the castle of Ausa. It appears that the effectiveness of this brotherhood might have been confined to the year 1330. During that year, Juan García de Reta, the merino from Pamplona, collected revenue from a tax specifically instituted to support the brotherhood. The border brotherhood established by Medrano in 1329, therefore, seems to have evolved on the Navarrese side into a treaty with the towns of Guipúzcoa. This agreement involved a commitment by some towns to take action against criminals who attacked the neighboring territory and sought refuge within their own jurisdiction. The historical context reveals that border skirmishes, involving Oñacino lineages from Gipuzkoa and royal officials of the Kingdom of Navarre, persisted throughout the 13th, 14th, and 15th centuries. This recurring theme of disputes, brawls, and border persecutions was not unique to the specified period but continued with marked intensity throughout the entire century.

## The Monastery of Fitero

Juan Martinez de Medrano 'The Elder' must have enjoyed great power and reputation as a prudent man, since the kings of Navarre and Castile chose him as the arbitrator of their differences so that he would settle them according to his conscience at the beginning of the year 1331. In 1336, Juan Martínez de Medrano was again chosen to be the arbitrator, this time, over the border dispute concerning the ownership of the Monastery of Fitero that had developed into a war with Castille in 1335. Having successfully arbitrated between the two kings, Navarra signed a new peace treaty with Castile on 28 February 1336. The matter was not resolved until 1373 when it was concluded that the Monastery of Fitero had always belonged to Navarre.

### Background

Juan Martínez de Medrano participated in the ongoing negotiations to clarify the ownership of Fitero, which was disrupted by divisions among the monks of Fitero Monastery—some aligned with Castile, others with Navarre. Navarrese forces, supported by Aragonese allies, occupied Fitero. In response, Alfonso XI assembled a Castilian army, which engaged Navarrese troops near Tudela. Prominent Navarrese nobles, including Medrano's son Sancho Sánchez de Medrano, were captured during the skirmishes, and Castile swiftly took control of both Fitero Monastery and Tudején Castle. After these victories, Castilian forces advanced into Navarre, looting the countryside before withdrawing under Alfonso XI’s orders.
Alfonso XI considered an attack on the Count of Béarn, but a delegation led by Archbishop Jean de Vienne offered to mediate peace. He thus agreed to pursue a negotiated solution. During these negotiations, Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Elder' participated as one of four arbitrators at the 1336 talks at Cuevas near Viana, where both sides accepted arbitration by four representatives—two from each kingdom—and a tie-breaking decision by Cardinal Jacopo Gaetano. Progress on the Fitero dispute was slow, with a final 1373 ruling placing the monastery and Tudején Castle within Navarre’s borders. The monastery became fully integrated into Navarrese territory.

## Witness in the marriage of Prince Pedro and Princess Joan

In 1333 and 1334, he was one of the witnesses in the agreements for the marriage of Princess Joan to Pedro, the eldest son of the kings of Aragon. Pedro, who ascended the throne in January 1336, expressed a preference for the second daughter, which forced Joan to renounce her succession rights in favour of Maria of Navarre.

## Assets

Besides receiving temporary rents, in 1312 the Irache Abbey gave him a palace, church, and property in Torres del Río.
His son Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Sanchez was the merino of the merindad of Estella, responsible for its jurisdiction and protection. The regent was the owner of the Baigorri milestones.

### Lordships

In 1322 Juan Martínez de Medrano y Aibar was called the Lord of Sartaguda in the merindad of Estella, and shortly after, the lord of Arróniz and Villatuerta. Villatuerta was once a royal estate that, in 1079, housed at least five noble families. King Theobald I granted residents "costería" rights for 7 cahíces of wheat and 3 of barley yearly. By 1280, they owed 200 sueldos and 80 cahíces of wheat, barley, and oats. The Medrano lineage sold these rents to the Crown in 1342, with the council contributing 6,000 sueldos, making the village part of the Crown's patrimony.
In 1342, his heirs sold the town of Arróniz to the King for 48,500 sueldos, except for the chaplaincy he himself had founded and a house that his son Álvaro Díaz retained. His other son, Sancho Sánchez de Medrano, proceeded in the same way with the sale of the lordship of Villatuerta. It was actually a forced sale because these properties were linked to the debt letters that the crown had taken from the Jewish banker Ezmel de Ablitas. Judas (brother of Abraham Ezquerra) was also in debt to the Medrano family in the year 1341 when his son Açach signed a letter as a witness for a debt of one hundred and twenty pounds of small torneses. The indebted party was the affluent Jewish merchant Judas Abenavez, son of Ezmel de Ablitas, known as "El Viejo".
This debt was owed to Sancho Sánchez de Medrano, the lord of Sartaguda, along with his wife María Pérez and Juan Pérez de Arbeiza, the chief magistrate of the Court of Navarra. Sancho Sánchez de Medrano was a wealthy and influential figure of the time, a member of the well-known Medrano family. He was the son of Juan Martínez de Medrano the Elder, who held considerable influence in the Navarrese government.

### Sartaguda

Juan Martínez de Medrano was the hereditary Lord of Sartaguda. In the 13th and 14th century, the Medrano family owned it until King Charles III gave it to Carlos de Beaumont and later to Marshal Martín Enríquez de Lacarra in 1406. Depopulated by civil wars, it was sold to Juan de Arellano in 1508. The Monastery of Irache and the Hospitallers of Saint John of Jerusalem held lands there. Pope Lucius II confirmed the Pamplona episcopal see's rights over the local church in 1144.

## Death

Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Elder' died between December 1337 and May 1338.

## Marriage and issue

Juan Martínez de Medrano and Aldonza Sánchez left a long list of descendants who reinforced his lineage, including, but not limited to:
* Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Younger'
* Sancho Sanchez de Medrano
* Álvaro Diaz de Medrano
* Fernando Sanchez de Medrano
* Juan Vélaz de Medrano
* Rodrigo Diaz de Medrano, rector of Piedramillera
One of the regent's daughters was married in 1318 to the nobleman Ramiro Pérez de Arróniz.

### Juan Vélaz de Medrano

In 1328, the regent's son and heir Juan Vélaz de Medrano, a ricohombre of Navarre, appeared as the Alcaide of the Tower of Viana. He received an emolument of 35 pounds. Juan Velaz de Medrano, third of the name, Alcaide of Viana and Dicastillo died in 1342. He married Dona Bona de Almoravid and was the father of Alvar Díaz de Medrano y Almoravid, lord of Iguzquiza.

#### Lordship of Igúzquiza

The regent's grandson Alvar Diaz de Medrano y Almoravid, son of Juan Vélaz de Medrano, became a ricohombre of Navarre and the Lord of Igúzquiza and owner of the ancient Palace of Vélaz de Medrano. In 1380 he was Alcaide of Monjardin Castle, and the following two years he was listed among the King's Mesnaderos. It refers to the King's guard and the captain of a company. These mesnaderos formed the King's guard when he personally went to war, and their nobility was thoroughly examined. The ransom for mesnaderos and ricohombres was set at a thousand maravedíes or salaries.

### Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Younger'

The regent's namesake son, the nobleman and ricohombre Juan Martínez de Medrano "The Younger," passed away around 1333, leaving behind several children:
* Juana Vélaz de Medrano
* Bona Martínez de Medrano
* Toda Martínez de Medrano
* Juan Martínez de Medrano
The regents grandson, Juan Martínez de Medrano, the fourth of his name, a knight and mesnadero of Tierra Estella in 1343, was recognized as a nobleman in 1350 during the coronation of Charles II of Navarre. In the 14th century, for his efforts and service, Juan Martínez de Medrano was given the castle and town of Dicastillo in perpetuity, near the town of Estella, along with Arróniz, as a reward and gift from king Charles II of Navarre.

#### Toda Martínez de Medrano

Toda Martínez de Medrano, Lady of Santa Olalla and Sarria, daughter of Juan Martinez de Medrano 'The Younger', married the famous knight Fernando de Ayanz, Lord of Mendinueta. Medrano's harmony with the royal House of Évreux strengthened even further when Toda Martínez de Medrano's son Ferrant Martinez de Ayanz y Medrano, II Lord of Guenduláin, married Leonor de Navarra, daughter of Prince Leonel de Navarra, I Vizcount of Muruzábal, and granddaughter of Charles II of Navarre.
King Charles III of Navarre, her carnal uncle, offered Leanor 4,000 pounds of dowry, and in guarantee of it, gave Ferrant Martinez de Ayanz y Medrano, in 1417, the pechas of Lizarraga. The marriage between Ferrant Martinez de Ayanz y Medrano and Leonor de Navarra created the royal Ayanz de Navarra branch.
Toda Martínez de Medrano's grandson, Juan Ayanz de Navarra, was the founder of the Ayanz de Navarra lineage and the third Lord of Guenduláin, Agos, and Orcoyen. He also held the palaces of Sarria and the pechas of Piedramillera, Galdeano, Aucin, and Mendiribarren. A great-grandson of King Charles II of Navarre, his descendants would later become the Counts of Guenduláin. This Spanish noble title was created by King Philip IV on March 6, 1658, in favor of Jerónimo de Ayanz de Navarra y Garro Beaumont y Javier. However, Jerónimo passed away before the royal office was issued, and the title was subsequently granted on September 21, 1663, to his daughter, Josefa de Ayanz de Navarra (1669–1683), who became the heir to the county.
On 25 February 1864 the queen Elizabeth II granted the Greatness of Spain to Joaquín Ignacio Mencos y Manso de Zúñiga, VIII Count of Guenduláin, VII Count of Fresno de la Fuente, IV Marquis de la Real Defensa, XI baron of Bigüezal.

### Sancho Sánchez de Medrano

The death of Juan Martínez de Medrano 'The Younger' left his brother Sancho Sánchez de Medrano as the main heir and head of the lineage. In 1342, the Crown of Navarre purchased Villatuerta from Sancho Sánchez de Medrano, acquiring its lordship, palaces, and other properties. The town council, which met by the bridge, supported the transaction, contributing 6,000 sueldos sanchetes.
Sancho Sánchez de Medrano married María Pérez de Arbeiza, daughter of the prestigious mayor of Cort Juan Pérez de Arbeiza, he received the lordship of Sartaguda at the death of his father and was named a nobleman, although he had disappeared by 1350.
In 1412, another Sancho Sánchez de Medrano was the alcaide of the Castle of San Vicente de la Sonsierra, located in La Rioja, Spain, a historic fortress dating back to the 10th century.

### Fernando Sanchez de Medrano

Fernando Sanchez de Medrano replaced Sancho Sanchez de Medrano as the main head of the Medrano lineage and participated as a nobleman at the coronation of Charles II of Navarre.

#### The Medrano family at the coronation of Charles II of Navarre

The coronation of King Charles II of Navarre was celebrated solemnly in Pamplona on Sunday 27 June 1350, with the three Estates of the Kingdom gathered together in the Cathedral Church. The record of that ceremony introduces the names of the high ecclesiastical dignitaries, the magnates who had the honour of the places and fortresses, and the representatives of the good towns during the beginnings of that reign, undoubtedly the most suggestive in the history of Navarra. The following persons personally appeared:
   The Barons: Lord Juan Martinez de Medrano and Fernando Sanchez de Medrano.

### Notable Descendants of the Regent

The regent's great-grandson named Juan Vélaz de Medrano IV, son of the ricohombre Alvar Diaz de Medrano y Almoravid, was a knight of the Kingdom of Navarre, royal chamberlain of the Kings of Navarre and Aragon, Lord of Igúzquiza, Arguiñano, Atzoz, Learza, Artazu, Zabal, and Orendáin, Governor (alcaide) of Monjardín Castle. Juan Vélaz de Medrano participated in the Hundred Years' War in 1397 and the war of Languedoc in 1412. Juan Velaz de Medrano defended Viana against the Castilians in 1429 and served as chamberlain for Charles III of Navarre in 1412 and King John II in 1432. Juan Velaz de Medrano accompanied Charles III to France in the year 1397.
Juan Velaz de Medrano IV remained in the army of the King of France, to whom he rendered great services in the Languedoc war of 1412. By the end of February 1412 the Limousin, the three principal sensechalisies of Languedoc and most of the adjoining provinces south of the Dordogne were firmly under Burgundian control. Juan Velaz de Medrano also accompanied Princess Eleanor de Borbon, on her trip to Paris in 1420.
From 1512 –1522, Juan Martinez de Medrano's direct descendants would prove to hold key positions against the Spanish conquest of Iberian Navarre:
* Juan Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz, merino of the merindad of Estella, Lord of Igúzquiza, Orendáin, Learza, etc., he defended the castles of Monjardin and Santacara in 1512 against the incursion of Castile.
* Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz (b. 1475), brother of Juan, was the Alcaide and Mayor of Amauir-Maya. Jaime, along with his son Luis Velaz de Medrano, defended the royal castle of Maya at the battle of Amaiur-Maya (1522), the last royal Navarrese stronghold in an attempt to resist the Spanish (Castilian-Aragonese) push in the Kingdom of Navarre sent by Isabella's grandson Emperor Charles V.

## Heraldry

A coat of arms of the House of Vélaz de Medrano is located on the keystone of the main doorway of the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano. All that remains is a goshawk in the hand of their progenitor, with the crosses of San Andrés adorning the shield.
* In Gules, a hollow and gilded cross, in gold, accompanied in the right corner of the chief, by a hand, with a silver goshawk, silver border with the legend: "AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM" in sable letters.
* Gules, argent trefoil cross, argent border with the motto or legend: "AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM"

### Coat of arms in the Refectory of the Cathedral of Pamplona (1328–1335)

The refectory of Pamplona Cathedral, renovated between 1328 and 1335, features one of the earliest and most significant heraldic displays in Spain, incorporating noble lineages, municipalities, and the monarchy. Among the 31 sculpted and polychromed keystones, one in the southeastern rib of the third vault section is believed to bear the arms of the Medrano family. However, its gules border raises questions, as it does not appear in any known Medrano seals preserved in the Archivo General de Navarra (General Archive of Navarre).
The first keystone (3a) likely bears the coat of arms of the Medrano family, positioned prominently due to the influence of Juan Martínez de Medrano The Elder, a ricohombre and regent of Navarre. His coat of arms was not included among the ten secondary keystones but was instead placed in the most prestigious area near the chancel. His coat of arms is prominently displayed on the rib extension featuring the eagle or goshawk.
The refectory's heraldic program, commissioned under Philip of Évreux and Joanna II, symbolized Navarre’s noble hierarchy, including the Medrano lineage. By 1328, when Philip ascended the throne, work on the heraldic ceiling was underway and completed by 1335, as confirmed by a mural inscription now in the Navarre Museum. The keystones not only served an architectural purpose but also recorded Navarre’s ruling elite, including the Medrano family.
Unlike typical medieval heraldic compositions, this monumental display uniquely features both ricoshombres and key Navarrese towns, symbolizing the kingdom’s leadership rather than a mere armorial. The refectory’s heraldic program, including Juan Martínez de Medrano’s emblem, serves as an architectural expression of political authority, showcasing various members of the Cortes and immortalizing their influence on Navarre’s governance and legal reforms.

## Ancestry
### Paternal ancestry

Juan Martínez de Medrano descends from the noble and ancient House of Medrano. The Licenciado Francisco Mosquera de Barnuevo, dealing with the lineage of Barnuevo, one of the twelve noble and very ancient lineages of the city of Soria, writes:
   The Medrano family, whose nobility is so notorious that there is no house in Spain that surpasses it ... They are natives of Navarre.

#### Juan Martinez de Medrano, Lord of Viana and Sartaguda

His father Juan Martínez de Medrano was the son of Inigo Vélaz de Medrano. Juan Martínez de Medrano was the lord of Sartaguda and Viana and a ricohombre of Navarre, as confirmed by several Royal instruments of the year 1276, 1279 and 1291.
In 1276, his father Juan Martínez de Medrano used a heraldic scalloped seal measuring 50mm. The seal features a design of a flory and voided cross of Calatrava within a square that also includes a legend that says "S. [seal of] Joan Martínez d' Medrano." Each side of the square displays a demi-circle, each containing a cross similar to the one in the center. This seal is affixed to a document, specifically a receipt dated 1276.
The second seal used by Juan Martínez de Medrano, Lord of Viana and Sartaguda, is a scalloped seal of 45mm. It features the same design and legend as his earlier seal. This seal is affixed to a 1279 letter from the bishop of Pamplona and several Navarrese lords. The letter thanks King Philip IV of France and his wife, Joan I of Navarre, for appointing Gerin d'Amplepuits as governor, and it requests that he be knighted.
In the unfortunate expedition of 1322, led by Ponce de Morentana, a French knight and viceroy of Navarre in Guipúzcoa with an army of 60,000 men, the regents father Juan Martinez de Medrano, "a valiant captain," perished in the mountains of Beotriva.

#### Inigo Vélaz de Medrano

The regent's paternal grandfather was the crusader knight Inigo Vélaz de Medrano, Lord of Sartaguda. He is the son of Pedro González de Medrano. The seal of this knight Inigo Velaz de Medrano is preserved in several documents, including the one containing a donation from the king to the monastery of Leyre (1268). Inigo Vélaz de Medrano was in the Eighth Crusade with the kings Louis IX of France and Theobald II of Navarre. The Basque Nobility marched to the Crusade with their King Theobald II of Navarre, and under the supreme direction of the Holy King Louis IX of France. Inigo Vélaz de Medrano was called and chosen by the King. Inigo Vélaz de Medrano, and many other noblemen of no less quality answered the call.

#### Pedro Gonzalez de Medrano

Juan Martinez de Medrano was the great-grandson of Pedro Gonzalez de Medrano, who was noted at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa on July 16, 1212 and took up arms: Gules Shield and a silver cross, figured as that of Calatrava.
Pedro Gonzalez de Medrano attended the victorious day of Las Navas de Tolosa (16 July 1212), forming part of the brilliant retinue that accompanied king Sancho VII of Navarre, and constituted the most significant nobility of the Kingdom of Navarre.
In honor of the Medrano family, there is a street named "Medrano" in Navas de Tolosa, Jaén. This particular coat of arms from the House of Medrano featured an argent fleur-de-lis cross of Calatrava on a blood-red field, symbolizing their ancient lineage through its straightforward design and connection to the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa. Francisco de Paula Van Halen's "Battle of Las Navas de Tolosa" vividly portrays the 1212 conflict between Christian and Almohad forces. Among the banners displayed beside the Knights of Calatrava and Santiago, the flag of the Medrano family is prominently featured, symbolizing their historical role in the battle. The painting is currently housed in the Senate Palace of Spain.
In addition to Pedro González de Medrano, Martín López de Medrano brought this emblem (in Or) into the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa, and again during the notable battle of Baya on Saint Andrew's Day in 1227.
To commemorate this victorious day, the shield of Medrano was adorned with eight Or crosses of Saint Andrew (saltires), similar to other noble banners. Later, the Medrano family took their flag with gold saltires on a field of war when participating in the Battle of Salado on 30 October 1340.

### Progenitor

The origin of the Medrano surname is not a mere coincidence. The noble Medrano family lineally descend from their progenitor, Andrés Vélaz de Medrano, a Moorish prince from the Umayyad Caliphate of Cordoba who entered the Kingdom of Pamplona (Navarre) around the year 979.

### Maternal ancestry

Juan Martinez de Medrano 'The Elder' was the son of Juan Martinez de Medrano and Maria de Aibar. The Aibar family is listed as one of the twelve original ricohombres of Navarre. The house of Aibar is one of the oldest lineages of Navarre, to the point that some scholars say that its origin dates back to the times of the Visigothic King Reccared I. Others mention Iñigo de Aibar, including him among the twelve noble men who were elected in the year 865 to govern Navarre. The lineage had its ancestral home in the town of Aibar (which it likely gave its name to).