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Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval
Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval (1595, Madrid – 17th century, Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce) was a Spanish nobleman and monk of the Order of St. Bernard of Cistercians at the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce in Clavijo and a member of the prominent House of Medrano. Juan renounced his inheritance to join the monastic life. His detailed will, drafted in 1616, reflects his dedication to religious service and familial responsibilities, distributing a significant fortune to various family members and religious institutions, including his monastery. Fernández de Medrano is remembered for his role in the monastic community and his contributions to the legacy of his family during Spain’s Golden Age.[1] Early life and family backgroundJuan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval (born 1595) was the son of Tomás Fernández de Medrano, adviser and secretary of State and War to the 11th Duke of Savoy, and Isabel Ibáñez de Sandoval, a member of the House of Sandoval and lady-in-waiting to Princess Catalina Micaela, Duchess of Savoy and daughter of King Philip II of Spain.[2] He was the paternal grandson of Juan Fernández de Medrano.[3] His father was a resident of the Royal Palace of Madrid.[1] His family hailed from the Cameros region of La Rioja, Spain, and was deeply rooted in the nobility of the area, being connected to the Lords of Almarza de Cameros, and the Lords of the Solar de Valdeosera—a historical institution of collective nobility founded in the 9th century during the Reconquista.[1] The ancient House of Medrano is one of the most powerful noble families in the Sierra de Cameros and Soria.[4] Juan grew up in a politically influential household. His father, Tomás, held significant positions within the Spanish monarchy and the court of Savoy, as well as being a member of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.[5] His father was the author of an important political treatise called Republica Mista, originally published in Madrid in 1602.[6] Monastic legacyThe economic and political stability of the family enabled Juan to pursue a monastic life. He joined the Cistercian monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, where he was well-regarded for his substantial donations and pious commitments.[2] The wealth he inherited from his parents and the financial support of King Philip III allowed him to make significant contributions to the monastery, including funding the construction of new facilities. The family’s patronage extended to religious institutions, including the Monastery of San Juan de Acre, where they held burial rights and supported its reconstruction during the 17th century.[1] The Medrano family, Lords of Agoncillo, were also generational patrons of the Franciscan Order, generously donating some of their land in 1211, including a tower, situated close to the Ebro River within the city of Logroño as a gift to Francis of Assisi himself, establishing the first Spanish convent of his Order there.[4] SiblingHis sister, Ana María Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval (b. 1608), a lady-in-waiting for Queen Elisabeth of France, Queen of Spain, married Rodrigo Martínez de Fresneda y Bonivern, knight of the Order of Montesa.[7] Isabel de SandovalHis mother, Isabel de Sandoval, was closely tied to the powerful House of Sandoval, which included the Duke of Lerma, the favorite of King Philip III. This connection provided the family with both protection and access to the upper echelons of Spanish and Savoyard society.[1] His mother Isabel de Sandoval was a noblewoman of significant influence, deeply connected to the Spanish and European aristocracy. As a lady-in-waiting to Princess Catalina Micaela of Spain, Duchess of Savoy, Isabel played a vital role in the household of the daughter of King Philip II of Spain. Isabel was part of the powerful House of Sandoval, whose influence peaked during the reigns of Philip II and Philip III through figures like Francisco Gómez de Sandoval y Rojas, the Duke of Lerma. Her connection to this family provided her children, Juan and Ana María de Medrano, with access to opportunities and protections in court and church circles.[1] RelativesThe Fernández de Medrano family was also associated with various military and ecclesiastical achievements. Juan’s uncles included Francisco Fernández de Medrano, a captain in the Spanish infantry, Lázaro Fernández de Medrano, a Spanish ensign, and Diego de Medrano, squadron general and captain of the Spanish and Portuguese galleys, who served in the Invincible Armada and other significant military campaigns.[3] AssetsFray Juan Fernandez de Medrano y Sandoval owned various lands and had rights in several towns in La Rioja: Clavijo, Lasanta, Tudelilla, Villamediana, Yangüela, Lagunilla, Leza, Alberite, Ribafrecha, and El Villar de Arnedo.[1] Religious life and contributions In 1616, Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval joined the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, a Cistercian community in the diocese of Calahorra, Spain. Renouncing the privileges of his noble birth, he committed himself to a life of religious devotion. Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval played an active role in the spiritual and administrative affairs of the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce. His contributions are documented in various legal and financial records.[1] Its location coincided with the field of one of the mythical battles of the reconquest in the area: the battle of Clavijo. San Prudencio de Monte Laturce was lord of a nearby village: Villanueva de San Prudencio. The abbey of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce sheltered an average of 20 monks throughout the 17th and 18th centuries.[1] Commissioning an altarpieceHe participated in the day-to-day governance and broader financial stability of the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce. Among his most significant contributions was the commissioning of a new altarpiece, which served as a focal point for worship.[1] Will and testament Juan's will is preserved in the notarial protocols of the Provincial Historical Archive of La Rioja. Juan drafted his will on October 26, 1616, as required by the statutes of his order prior to taking his monastic vows.[2] In it, he expressed his desire to be "more free and unencumbered from the things of the world" in order to fulfill his holy profession. His will provided for significant financial disbursements to his family, relatives, and servants. This document provides rich insight into both his piety and the extensive wealth he managed, which he distributed among family members and religious institutions:
Juan’s will allocated 2,000 ducats, sourced from two primary assets:[2]
His contributions included:[2]
Regarding the monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, his will included a specific clause that required the amount to be doubled to 1,200 ducats if not delivered within four months.[1] Reconstruction of the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte LaturceHis father, Tomás Fernández de Medrano, a man of deep faith, proclaimed in his República Mista (1602):
 Following his father's example, in 1616, Juan allocated funds in his will for the reconstruction of parts of the San Prudencio de Monte Laturce monastery. In the early 17th century, the prosperity of the oratory was evident through the expansion of its facilities, as referenced by Fray Juan Fernandez de Medrano in his will. Thanks to his detailed will and testament, art historians have determined that the refectory building within the abbey of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce, which was discovered in the 17th century and had survived the neglect following the abbey's abandonment in 1835, dates back to around 1616.[1] Juan Fernandez de Medrano y Sandoval contributed 600 ducats for the restoration of the refectory and cells within the monastery. Specific projects carried out by Juan during this period included:[1]
A power of attorney dated July 9, 1617 was issued, giving full authority to Fray Plácido Corral, Procurator General of the conventual order and resident at the monastery in Madrid, to act on behalf of the monastery.[8] Fray Plácido was authorized to collect and recover the remaining 306 ducats of the 600-ducat bequest that Fray Juan Fernández de Medrano had allocated to the Monastery of San Prudencio in his will.[8] This also included any other bequests or dues owed to the monastery, whether in Madrid or elsewhere, ensuring that all obligations from Fray Juan’s estate and others were fulfilled.[8] Participation in GovernanceThe last known record of Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval dates to February 10, 1618, when he participated in a chapter meeting at the Monastery of San Prudencio de Monte Laturce.[1] During this meeting, Juan and his fellow monks gathered to deliberate on significant administrative and operational matters of the monastery, including property management and internal governance. The records reveal his role as a signatory on various legal and financial agreements.[1] Dedication to the Duke of Lerma.jpg) .jpg) In 1601, Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval contributed to the dissemination of his father’s political ideas by playing a role in the publication of República Mista, a treatise authored by Tomás Fernández de Medrano.[6] His father's treatise discusses three precepts, the first is religion, the second is obedience and the third, justice. This work, originally published in 1602, described as the first of seven treatises written by Tomás, was addressed to Francisco de Sandoval, 1st Duke of Lerma, a key political figure and favourite of King Philip III:
Ecclesiastic patronageJuan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval’s religious devotion mirrored the broader Fernández de Medrano family’s legacy of faith and noble patronage. His father, Tomás Fernández de Medrano, was a knight of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem and secretary of state and war to the Duke of Savoy.[5] Family patronage of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana On June 22, 1608, the nuns at the Monastery of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana convened a meeting to confirm his parents as patrons of the monastery.[9] The nuns decision emphasized the family’s ongoing contributions, stating:
The Fernández de Medrano family’s patronage was particularly notable at the Monastery of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana. The monastery, which belonged to the female branch of the Order of St. John, was strategically located near the highly valuable salt mines of the region. The family held burial rights at the monastery and contributed to its reconstruction and upkeep during the 17th century.[1] Specific contributions at the Monastery of San Juan de Acre in Salinas de Añana included:[1]
Lordship of Valdeosera The Very Noble, Ancient, and Illustrious Solar, Lordship, and Villa of Valdeosera is a historic family and noble institution, originating in the 11th century and deeply connected to the significant events of the Reconquista in La Rioja.[10] It represents one of the last remaining examples of behetría de linaje (lineage-based lordships) or de entre parientes (among relatives) in Castile.[11] Its noble status was formally reaffirmed in the 15th century by Henry IV of Castile in 1460 and later by the Catholic Monarchs in the Vega of Granada in 1481.[12] Today, it remains one of Spain's oldest noble corporations, consisting of its Lords and Ladies Diviseros and Diviseras, recognized for their Hijosdalgo heritage and the rights to bear and display arms.[12]  The Lordship of Valdeosera is a historic noble institution rooted in the 9th century during the early years of the Reconquista. It is closely tied to the battle of Clavijo (c. 844), where St. James the Apostle is said to have miraculously intervened to secure a Christian victory against the Moors.[1] This battle established the prominence of the lords of Valdeosera, who were granted collective nobility and heraldic rights as descendants of the original defenders of the region. The lordship, also known as the Solar de Valdeosera, encompasses thirteen divisions or noble lineages of Sancho Fernández de Tejada, and its members have traditionally held privileges and responsibilities associated with their status.[12] According to the Licentiate Salinas, Juan and his father Tomás Fernández de Medrano, Lord of Valdeosera, are true and legitimate descendants of Sancho Fernández de Tejada, famous knight and general of King Ramiro I of Asturias who participated in the legendary battle of Clavijo.[13] Dedication to King Philip III of Spain Juan Fernández de Medrano was involved in documenting and celebrating the history of Valdeosera.[13] In 1601, the Licentiate Salinas authored a work titled "Summary of the Memorable and Holy Battle of Clavijo: The True Origin and Antiquity of the Lordship and Lords of the Town, Land, and Heraldic Divisas of Valdeosera," dedicated to King Philip III of Spain by Friar Juan Fernández de Medrano y Sandoval:
See alsoReferences
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