Diego López de Medrano, Garcí Bravo de Medrano, Francisco de Medrano, María Bravo de Medrano, Leonor de Medrano,
Luisa de Medrano, Luis de Medrano, Isabel Bravo de Medrano, Catalina de Medrano
Diego López de Medrano y Vergara[1] (c. XV century - June 1487) was a noble from the House of Medrano, Lord of San Gregorio and Cavañuelas, knight, a member of His Majesty's Council, a member of the 12 lineages of Soria and a ricohombre of Castile. He died at the siege of Malaga in June 1487.[2]
Diego López de Medrano y Vergara was born into the noble Medrano family, the son of Diego López de Medrano and Catalina de Vergara. The House of Medrano was one of the most powerful in the Sierra de Cameros [es] and in Soria.[3] Their 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.[3][4] The House of Medrano, Lords of the towns of Cavañuelas, Cabanillas, San Gregorio, and many other entailed estates of the Medrano lineage in Soria and its region, are knights of great antiquity and nobility.[5]
Diego López de Medrano was a prominent ricohombre, Lord, Knight, and noble in the Kingdom of Castile. His father in-law Garcí Bravo de Lagunas migrated from Soria (or Sigüenza) to establish an estate in Atienza. When Garcí Bravo took on the role of Alcaide of Atienza Castle, he moved with his whole family. He brought along his wife, children, and sons-in-law.[6] Among those who came with him were his daughter Magdalena Bravo de Lagunas and her husband, Diego López de Medrano, as well as their children: Diego, Garci, Luis, Catalina, and Isabel. After settling in Atienza, Magdalena and Diego had at least four more children.[6]
Confirmation of nobility
On September 1, 1552, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issued the Carta Ejecutoria de Hidalguía to confirm the noble status of his 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.[7]
This document, written in clear round Gothic script on 4 blank sheets, which features a large coat of arms of the Holy Roman Emperor and gold floral decorations, establishes the Medrano family's noble status through a comprehensive presentation of genealogical records and legal proceedings.[7] The opening lines honor Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor:
"To the esteemed and powerful Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, King of Spain, etc., this carta ejecutoria confirms the noble status of Bernardino de Medrano, Pedro López de Medrano, Francisco de Medrano... tracing the lineage of the noble Medrano family, with records dating back to Juana Pimentel and King Enrique III, hereby proving their status..."[7]
Siblings
Diego's legitimate brother Francisco de Medrano y Vergara was the Lord of Cabanillas. Francisco married María de Vinuesa, sister of Juan de Vinuesa. Their offspring included Diego López de Medrano y Vinuesa, who inherited the title of Lord of Cabanillas.[8] Diego's sister Doña Francisca de Medrano later married Tristán del Arco in Borja.[5]
Diego López de Medrano was also the brother of García de Medrano y Vergara, from Soria, who married a woman from the House of Barrionuevo, one of the 3 main lineages of the 12 from Soria.[1] A table of genealogy exists for García de Medrano, it begins with himself, as the brother of the Lord of San Gregorio. It ends with his seventh grandson, Martín de Castejón e Ibáñez de Leguizamón, the second Marquess of Velamazán.[9]
Diego's father in-law captures Sigüenza for Queen Isabella I of Castile
At the onset of Queen Isabella the Catholic's rule in Castile, Atienza, like the rest of the kingdom, faced the choice between loyalty to the reigning king and the prospect of allegiance to the prospective queen, Isabella. In the Castilian War of Succession, Diego's father in-law Garcí Bravo de Lagunas, alcaide of Atienza, played a pivotal role in securing the city of Sigüenza for Queen Doña Isabel.[10]
Engaging in a noteworthy act during the conflict, Garci Bravo de Lagunas and his relative Pedro de Almazán courageously scaled Sigüenza Castle, capturing Bishop Diego López of Madrid, a supporter of the Beltraneja, thereby aiding the cause of Queen Isabella I. Don Juan Bravo, Alcaide of Atienza Castle, and Pedro de Almazán facilitated the ascent of Garci Bravo's men, securing the castle and town, aligning it with the sovereignty of Queen Isabella I.[6]
Consequently, the descendants of Garci Bravo wielded considerable influence in Sigüenza and Atienza. Following the city's restoration to the Catholic Monarchs, Garci Bravo de Lagunas assumed the role of Alcaide of Sigüenza maintaining a prominent position in the castle of Atienza.[6]
Construction of the castle of San Gregorio
Diego's castle of San Gregorio was catalogued as a National Monument in 1949 and declared a Cultural Interest Asset in 1980.[11] The lordship of San Gregorio is located in the Almarza region (Comarca de Almarza). Above the door is the coat of arms of the Medrano family.[12] A license was granted to build this medieval castle, signed by Juan de Oviedo, secretary to King Henry IV, in favor of Diego López de Medrano, the owner of the mayorazgo estate founded in 1394 by Catalina Rodríguez de Medrano.[13] This license allowed him:
to make, work on, and build the said house and tower with its barrier in the place of San Gregorio...[13]
The illustrious lord Garcia de Medrano, of the Royal Council and Chamber of Castile, commissioned a renovation or construction at the castle of San Greogrio in 1677, which was commemorated in stone above the entrance. The title of Count of Torrubia was granted on August 29, 1694, to his son García de Medrano y Mendizábal, a knight of the Order of Calatrava and lord of San Gregorio.[14]
Origin of the castle
The origin of the castle of San Gregorio is recorded in the document drawn up in Medina del Campo and dated July 29, 1461, by which King Henry IV gave Diego López de Medrano y Salvadores permission to build this fortified house on the lands of the mayorazgo established by his ancestor Catalina Rodríguez de Medrano in favor of her son Garcia Gonzalez de Medrano, lord of San Gregorio.[15][16] Catalina was the widow of Gregorio Gil de Cabanillas, lord of las Amayuelas,[17] in 1394.[12][18][19]
According to Juan Loperraez Corvalán, the Medrano family, Counts of Torrubia, controlled the surrounding area of San Gregorio, where a fortified structure, nearly modern in design, was constructed alongside a church and a house by Diego López de Medrano, a member of His Majesty's Council. He had established a Congregation of Fathers of Saint Philip there, but they soon left due to inadequate funding.[20]
Architecture
Diego López de Medrano chose to build a solid square house with a coat of arms, a central courtyard, defended with a barrier, part of which still exists, along with battlements on its walls, and round towers on three of its corners that still retain the stone-carved gargoyles and the artillery tubes from the 15th century.[19][13] The castle of San Gregorio was designed in the medieval Gothic-style, attached to a Renaissance church and cloister.[13] The San Gregorio estate covers an area of more than 1,500 m2. It is a medieval architectural complex.[21]
Dominican convent of San Gregorio
Later, under the protection of his son Don Francisco de Medrano, a Dominicanconvent was founded in the 16th century, giving up a house and a estate for its establishment.[19][22] The church and convent has different rooms of various sizes and uses, with a total usable area of 430 m² and a maximum capacity for 300 guests.[21] Francisco de Medrano, who provided a house and estate to support a group of Dominican monks, died, and his heirs withdrew their support, forcing the monks to leave.[23]
The church and convent were built by Francisco de la Piedra, a master stonemason. The architectural complex is well preserved, due to recent restoration.[13] The church, attached to the Castle of San Gregorio, has a Latin cross plan and has a central nave with tiercerons, a wide dome and a beautiful portal. A classic polychrome choir is preserved under which there is a baptismal font from medieval times. The Church was a parish for many years under the patronage of the House of Medrano, Lords of San Gregorio. The cloister consists of two arcaded buildings at an angle and is paved with pebble stones in the traditional style of the great houses of Soria. It is now used for special events and wedding ceremonies.[18]
The will of Magdalena Bravo de Lagunas was written in Atienza and dated December 1, 1527, preserved in the Archive of the Dukes of Villahermosa, and was opened on July 18, 1531, a few days after Magdalena's death. According to her will, the children who were still alive and had the right to their mother's inheritance in 1527 were Diego López, Garci Bravo, Catalina and Isabel. After her husband's death, she was received as the lady of the Queen's Palace, with Catalina de Medrano, the latter appearing constantly within the retinue of the king. The maternal majorat was founded on July 4, 1504, in Medina del Campo, in favor of Magdalena's second son Don Garci Bravo de Medrano, head of the House of Bravo in Atienza.[25]
Children
The history of Diego López de Medrano and Magdalena Bravo's children is traced through Magdalena's will, dictated in Atienza on December 1, 1527, and preserved in the Archive of the Dukes of Villahermosa. This document reveals that at least three of their children went to Salamanca University.[26] They had numerous children:[1]
Diego López de Medrano, heir to the paternal estate, and to the fortress of San Gregorio, near Soria. He was born on July 30, 1477. He died after 1531.
Garcí Bravo de Medrano, heir to the maternal estate, was born on November 20, 1478.
Francisco de Medrano, born on May 15, 1481, the date of his death unknown.
María Bravo de Medrano, born on May 9, 1492, a nun in Soria, according to the will of her sister Catalina.
Leonor de Medrano, the other nun sister, was born on June 14, 1483.
Luisa de Medrano, born in Atienza on August 9, 1484, first female professor at the University of Salamanca, died in 1527.
Luis de Medrano, rector of the University of Salamanca from 1507-1511,[27] born on November 9, 1485, and died before 1527.
Isabel Bravo de Medrano, born on January 6, 1487, and died after 1531.
Catalina de Medrano, born on October 31, 1479, and died without children, in Atienza, on December 2, 1541, being buried in San Francisco.
You are not only learned and eloquent, but also beautiful and charming, surpassing all the Spanish men in eloquence in the Latin language. O happy parents who have given birth to such a daughter! You, my dearest girl, owe much to the Almighty God, who has bestowed great talents upon you, and also to your parents, who have not assigned you to the ordinary duties of women, nor to the unpleasant toils of the body, which are quickly destroyed, but have freed you for the pursuit of the most illustrious studies and arts, and have consecrated you to eternal memory.[6]
Diego López de Medrano
Diego's namesake son and heir Don Diego López de Medrano y Bravo de Lagunas was the mayordomo mayor (High Steward) to Empress Doña Isabel, wife of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor.[29] On May 21, 1550, Diego López de Medrano, a resident and regidor of Soria and Lord of the house of San Gregorio, pursued a legal case against the council of Gallinero. The dispute centered on the price of meat supplies for the house of San Gregorio.[30]
Diego's father in-law Juan Bravo de Lagunas made a military testament in the royal style, which was later legally recorded on May 31, 1570, by Juan Sánchez Canales, a notary in Toledo. Through this disposition, he established a trust for a third and a fifth of his assets and the perpetual alcaidía (wardenship) of Atienza in Garci Bravo de Medrano, his grandson, the second son of his daughter Magdalena and Diego López de Medrano. This marked the origin of the Bravo estate in Atienza.[32] Diego's son Garci Bravo de Medrano (b. November 20, 1478) was the perpetual Alcaide of the Atienza castle and lord of the house of Bravo in Atienza, linked to him by his mother and grandfather Don Juan Bravo de Lagunas. Garci Bravo de Medrano married Catalina de Mendoza, daughter of Íñigo de Molina, III lord of the towns of Embid, Santiuste and El Pobo in the Molina lordship. Catalina was the granddaughter of Pedro Carrillo de Mendoza, second Count of Priego, and María de Quiñones, his wife was the sister of Diego Fernández de Quiñones, the first Count of Luna, chief merino of León and Asturias. Garcí Bravo de Medrano and Catalina de Mendoza were the parents of Garci Bravo de Medrano y Mendoza and Diego López de Medrano y Mendoza.
Garci Bravo de Medrano y Mendoza
Garcí Bravo de Medrano's first son Garci Bravo de Medrano y Mendoza married Dona Ana Sarmiento de Ayala y Rojas. Their daughter Doña Luisa Bravo de Lagunas married Pedro de Guzmán, Lord of Olmedilla. They were the direct ancestors of Doña Luisa Bravo de Guzmán (b. Alcalá de Henares 1595 - Madrid November 24, 1661), IV Marchioness of Lanzarote, Countess of Fuerteventura in the canary islands. The IV Marchioness Doña Luisa Bravo de Guzman was the granddaughter of Don Pedro de Guzmán, Lord of Olmedilla, and Doña Luisa Bravo de Lagunas, who in turn was the daughter of Garci Bravo de Medrano y Mendoza, Alcaide of Atienza and Doña Ana Sarmiento de Ayala y Rojas. In 1622 Don Agustín de Herrera y Rojas, the second Marquess of Lanzarote, married Doña Luisa Bravo de Guzmán, daughter of Jerónimo de Guzmán and Antonia Bravo del Castillo. Doña Luisa Bravo de Guzmán became the IV Marchioness of Lanzarote after the death of her son Agustín de Herrera y Rojas, III Marquess of Lanzarote. Martín Manuel González de Castejón-Medrano y Ibáñez, I Marquess of Velamazán became the IX Marquess of Lanzarote.[33][34]
Diego López de Medrano y Mendoza
Garcí Bravo de Medrano's second son Diego López de Medrano y Mendoza was the lord of San Gregorio, he married Francisca de Vinuesa. Their son García de Medrano y Vinuesa married with Catalina de Castejón. They inherited many lands in Soria, and their heir and son succeeded them. From them, the counts of Torrubia are descended.[1] The Counts of Torrubia from the Medrano family are united in marriage with the Dukes of Villahermosa, Dukes of Sotomayor, Dukes of Alba, Marquesses of Villamayor, Marquess of Salamanca and the Marquessate of Las Nieves.[35]
His son Garcia de Medrano y Vinuesa later played a significant political role: he was a member of the Cortes of Segovia from 1592 to 1593, and the speeches he delivered are preserved in the protocols of those Cortes. In the trial against Don Rodrigo Calderón, Marquis of the Seven Churches, judge Don Garcia de Medrano y Vinuesa was one of the few who voted against the Marquis's death.[36]
As a knight, Don Diego López de Medrano and his father in-law Garcí Bravo died in the Queen's service at the Siege of Málaga in June 1487.[1] The Chronicle of the Catholic Monarchs by Don Juan M. Carriazo confirmed the news that Garci Bravo de Lagunas and Diego López de Medrano had died in battle. Juan Bravo's wife Catalina Núñez de Cienfuegos, on the occasion of the death of her husband and son-in-law in that action, received a heartfelt letter of condolences and gratitude from the Catholic Monarchs on June 7, 1487.[40] The death of Diego López de Medrano during the siege of Malaga in 1487 is well-recorded.[26] Mosén Diego de Valera writes about this battle:
"And the Christians had received very great damage at the beginning and more than fifty of them were killed and others wounded. Among them, three principal men were killed: Garci Bravo, governor of Atienza; Diego de Medrano, his son-in-law; and Gabriel de Sotomayor, brave knights of noble lineage."[41]
Burial in the convent of San Francisco
Diego López de Medrano y Vergara died in battle and was buried in the convent of San Francisco in Atienza, together with his wife Dona Magdalena Bravo de Lagunas (d. 1531) and later his daughter Catalina de Medrano was buried alongside them (d. 1541).[42]
Ancestry
Diego López de Medrano was the son of Diego López de Medrano, Lord of San Gregorio [es], Cavañuelas de la Torre and Almarza de Cameros, and Catalina de Vergara, from the aristocratic Vergara family.[1][29][43] His mother Doña Catalina de Vergara was the daughter of the heir to the mayorazgo and the Vergara estate in the mountains.[5]
Diego was also the grandson of Don Garcia González de Medrano, Lord of San Gregorio, and the great-grandson of Doña Catalina Rodríguez de Medrano, founder of the Mayorazgo of San Gregorio in 1394, in favor of her son Don Garcia González de Medrano.[1][17] Don Diego López belongs to the prestigious Medrano family, one of the most ancient lineages from the Kingdoms of Navarre and Castile.[44]
^ abcThe Pérez de Araciel de Alfaro By Manuel Luis Ruiz de Bucesta y Álvarez Member and Founding Partner of the ARGH Vice Director of the Asturian Academy of Heraldry and Genealogy Correspondent of the Belgian-Spanish Academy of History Pages. 50-51 https://dialnet.unirioja.es/descarga/articulo/3991718.pdf
^The letter, dated in the Royal [Palace], regarding Málaga, was signed by Their Highnesses and Fernán Álvarez, and it read as follows: "The King and the Queen. Doña María de Cienfuegos, you have already learned of the passing of Don Garci Bravo, your husband, which grieves us deeply, and we are left with a heavy burden, both for the loss we have suffered and for the great service he rendered during his life, as well as concerning you. Since he died as his duty required, fighting against the infidels and in our service, we are burdened to reward you, and we shall have your affairs, as they pertain to you and your relatives, carefully examined, with all due gratitude." Ápud T. Gismera
^Chronicle of the Catholic Monarchs, edition and study by Don Juan M. Carriazo, Madrid, 1927, page 253
^Tomás Gismera Velasco, Guadalajara in Memory, New Alcarria Newspaper, Guadalajara, August 7, 2020