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Andrés de Medrano y Mendizábal, 2nd Count of Torrubia
Andrés de Medrano y Mendizábal, 2nd Count of Torrubia[1] (Seville, 5 November 1654 – Madrid, 22 December 1720) was a Knight of Calatrava, a jurist and prominent statesman from the House of Medrano who served as Councilor and Dean of the Royal Council of Castile. He became the 2nd Count of Torrubia and the Lord of San Gregorio, which he inherited through his eldest brother, García de Medrano y Mendizábal, I Count of Torrubia. A native of Seville and a graduate in Canon Law, Medrano held various prominent positions, including Chief Judge of Biscay, Associate Justice of the Tribunal of Biscay, and supernumerary judge (fiscal) of the Council of Finance. Known for his extensive public service under the reigns of Charles II and Philip V, Medrano played a pivotal role in the governance and legal administration of early modern Spain.[2] Early life and educationAndrés de Medrano y Mendizábal was born on November 5, 1654, in Seville, into the distinguished Medrano family, with deep roots in Spanish judicial, administrative and military service.[1] His father, García de Medrano y Álvarez de los Ríos (1604–1683), held numerous prestigious positions, including fiscal and judge (oidor) in Valladolid, Regent of the Council of Navarre, fiscal of the Council of Castile, member of the Council of the Indies, Regent of Seville, member of the Council of Castile and its Chamber, and member of the Council of the Inquisition. His paternal grandfather, García de Medrano y Castejón, served as alcalde in Granada, fiscal and judge of the Council of Orders, and a supernumerary member of the Council of Castile.[3] His two elder brothers also pursued distinguished careers: Domingo de Medrano y Mendizábal served as judge of Grados in Seville in 1672, while García de Medrano y Mendizábal, 1st Count of Torrubia, held positions such as corregidor of Gipuzkoa and alcalde of Casa y Corte, and was a member of the Council of Orders.[1] Both Domingo and García de Medrano served as rector of the University of Salamanca from 1668 to 1669.[4] EducationAndrés de Medrano began his education at the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Salamanca, one of the most prestigious academic institutions in Spain.[1] He was admitted as a collegian on September 12, 1672, and graduated with Bachelor's degree in Canon Law on June 6, 1675. His time at the Colegio Mayor provided him with the foundational legal training that prepared him for a successful career in the judiciary and administration. By 1720, he was the oldest surviving collegian from San Bartolomé.[1] CareerOn June 2, 1676, he was appointed as Chief Judge of Biscay, a position he held with distinction until May 1, 1683. Shortly thereafter, on May 1, 1683, Medrano was promoted to oidor (judge) of the Court of Valladolid. On September 9, 1693, he was appointed a supernumerary judge (fiscal) in the Council of Finance, one of Spain's highest administrative bodies tasked with managing the Crown's financial and economic affairs.[1][2] Dean of the Royal Council of CastileIn 1697, following a consultation by the Chamber of Castile on March 13, Count Medrano was promoted to Dean of the Royal Council of Castile, where he oversaw the council’s judicial and administrative functions. As Dean, Medrano held the highest-ranking position within the council, coordinating its deliberations, managing judicial reviews, and ensuring the implementation of royal decrees across the Spanish territories. His leadership was pivotal in maintaining the council's role as the primary advisory body to the monarchy, as well as safeguarding the legal and administrative order of the Spanish monarchy. Medrano's formal appointment was issued on March 30, 1697, and he remained in this role for nearly a decade.[1] Retirement and Member of the Royal Chamber of CastileOn February 13, 1706, he retired from the royal council, although he was later granted a seat in the Chamber of the Royal Council of Castile on November 2, 1720, a position he held until his death.[2] Nobility and titlesKnight of Calatrava In 1690, Andrés de Medrano was appointed a Knight of the Order of Calatrava, one of Spain's most prestigious military orders, reserved for individuals of noble lineage and distinction in service to the Crown.[1] For hundreds of years, his ancestors have always been closely linked to the Order of Calatrava. Medrano's ancestor Pedro González de Medrano was noted in the retinue of King Sancho VII of Navarre at the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa on July 16, 1212,[5] and constituted the most significant nobility of the Kingdom of Navarre.[6] He took up arms: Gules Shield and a silver cross, figured as that of Calatrava, symbolizing their ancient lineage through its straightforward design and connection to the battle of Las Navas de Tolosa.[7] 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.[8] Later, the Medrano family took this flag with gold (Or) saltires on a field of gules when participating in the Battle of Salado on 30 October 1340.[7][8] Count of Torrubia_Mapa.svg) Following the death of his eldest brother without heirs in 1695, Andrés de Medrano succeeded as the II Count of Torrubia and inherited the lordship of San Gregorio, an old mayorazgo formed in 1394 by the Medrano family. The County of Torrubia de Soria is a Spanish noble title created by Royal Decree of 23 November 1692, and granted by Royal Order on 29 August 1694, by King Charles II of Spain, to García de Medrano y Mendizábal, legitimate brother of Andrés, whose documents are held in the Archivo de Simancas. These titles, tied to his family's long-standing prominence, solidified his position within the Spanish high nobility.[9][10] NobilityThe House of Medrano, who were known as ricohombres, Lords of Cavañuelas, San Gregorio and many entailed mayorazgos of the Medrano lineage in Soria and its region, are knights of great antiquity and nobility.[11] According to N.L.B. in La Silva Curiosa (1583), The Medrano lineage is recognized as "noble princes, with blood of noble ancestors," whose famed virtue is well known from the men it produced.[12] The Medrano family is a very ancient house of noble origin, it is found in different times and in different places. Many principles are attributed to them by authors and historians:
On September 1, 1552, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, issued the Carta Ejecutoria de Hidalguía to confirm the noble status of the Medrano family.[14] Detailed genealogical records are presented to support the family's claim to nobility. The document, created in Valladolid and Arenas, Spain, concludes with official signatures and seals, affirming the noble status.[14] AncestryThe ancient and noble House of Medrano was one of the most powerful in the Sierra de Cameros and in Soria.[15] The Medrano family is incorporated into the ancient 12 lineages of Soria [es]. The Medrano family managed their titles and maintained their main resources, maize cultivation and especially sheep farming.[16] Their livestock grazed in those lands, and hundreds of times they walked to the pastures of Extremadura or the royal valley of Alcudia, in La Mancha.[8][17] According to genealogical proofs provided during his grandfather García de Medrano y Castejón's lifetime, this branch of the family not only owned the entailed estate and fortress of San Gregorio but also possessed 15,000 sheep, a testament to their considerable economic power.[1] Paternal ancestry.jpg) Andrés de Medrano y Mendizábal, the son of García de Medrano y Álvarez de los Ríos, came from a distinguished lineage of Spanish nobility and public service, with a family history deeply intertwined with wealth and influential positions.[1] _1568_Shield_of_Garci_Bravo_de_Medrano_(Medrano,_Laguna,_Garci-Bravo_y_Mendoza).jpg) According to the Royal Academy of History, his paternal grandmother, María de los Ríos y Mendoza—wife of García de Medrano y Castejón—was born in Soria and baptized in the parish of Santa María Magdalena on September 27, 1561. His grandfather's marriage to María was the root and origin of one of the most widespread families of legal professionals serving the monarchy during the 17th and 18th centuries.[18] Andrés de Medrano was the great-grandson of García de Medrano y Vinuesa and Catalina de Castejón, the daughter of Juan González Castejón and Isabel de Armendáriz.[1] His lineage further traced back to his third great-grandparents, Diego López de Medrano and Doña Francisca de Vinuesa, who were renowned for their immense wealth.[1] He was the fourth great-grandson of Garci-Bravo de Medrano, Alcaide of Atienza, and Catalina de Mendoza, the daughter of Íñigo de Molina, Lord of Embid, Santijuste, and El Pobo, and Catalina de Mendoza.[1] His ancestry also included his fifth great-grandparents, Diego López de Medrano y Vergara, Lord of San Gregorio, who died during the Siege of Málaga, and Magdalena Bravo de Lagunas y Cienfuegos, daughter of Garci-Bravo de Lagunas, Alcaide of Atienza and Sigüenza, and Catalina Núñez de Cienfuegos. Through Diego, he was also the fourth great-nephew of Luisa de Medrano.[1] He is the 6th-grandson of Diego López de Medrano, Alcaide of Medinaceli, who died before 1482, and Catalina de Vergara.[19] Maternal ancestryOn his maternal side, Medrano was the grandson of Gregorio López de Mendizábal, who held prominent judicial roles, including Chief Judge of Biscay, fiscal and judge in Granada, alcalde of Casa y Corte, and member of the Royal Council of Castile.[20] Personal lifeMedrano's personal life was deeply intertwined with his noble heritage, his devotion to faith, and his intellectual pursuits, all of which were reflected in the art he curated and the alliances he forged through marriage.[1] Art collectorthe II Count of Torrubia was also an avid art collector, with a particular focus on religious works. Medrano's collection included portraits of King Charles II and the regent, Mariana of Austria, as well as a range of devotional paintings. A notable piece in his collection was a painting by Mateo Cerezo of the miraculous statue of Christ from Burgos. He also owned a Nativity of Christ by Luca Giordano and an unfinished work by El Greco.[21] Details of his art collection were documented in an estate partition dated August 12, 1724, in Madrid. Alongside the noted works by Giordano and El Greco, the collection included older pieces attributed to El Greco and copies after masters such as Titian and Jusepe de Ribera. It is speculated that some of these older works were inherited rather than acquired directly by Medrano himself.[21] SiblingsHis brother Domingo de Medrano was a knight in the Order of Calatrava, Judge of Degrees in Sevilla (1672), professor and rector at the University of Salamanca. Domingo is also the fourth nephew of Luisa de Medrano. He married María de Robles. On May 10, 1664, Don Francisco de Aragüés y Medrano, son of José de Aragüés y Abarca and María de Medrano, married Águeda de Medrano, daughter of Domingo de Medrano and María de Robles. The couple were second cousins.[22] His eldest brother García de Medrano y Mendizábal, I Count of Torrubia was the Lord of San Gregorio, alcalde of hijosdalgo in Valladolid (1675), supernumerary alderman of noble birth in the Royal Audiencia and Chancery of Valladolid (1675), oidor of Valladolid (1680), alcalde of Casa y Corte (1684), rector of the University of Salamanca, a knight of the Order of Calatrava, a member of the Council of Orders (1690) and a member of the Council and Chamber of His Majesty.[23] MarriageAndrés de Medrano y Mendizábal married Francisca de Angulo y Albizu in Madrid on October 7, 1693.[24] She was the legitimate daughter of Juan de Angulo, secretary of state for universal dispatch, and Manuela de Albizu y Villamayor, III Marchioness of Villamayor. Through this marriage, Medrano further strengthened his connections to other prominent Spanish families. His wife's lineage included ties to Lorenzo Mateu y Villamayor, a judge of the court and member of the Council of Castile,[25] and Lorenzo Mateu y Sanz, a former Regent of the Council of Aragon.[26] ChildrenAndrés de Medrano y Mendizábal, the 2nd Count of Torrubia, and his wife, Francisca de Angulo y Albizu, had two children, a daughter named Manuela de Medrano y Angulo, and their eldest son, José Juan de Medrano y Angulo, who succeeded his father as the 3rd Count of Torrubia.[2][27] José Juan de Medrano y Angulo José Juan de Medrano y Angulo (died 25 June 1765)[28] further elevated the family's noble standing through marriage and inheritance. On January 14, 1721, after his father passed away, he requested succession to the title, which was granted.[29] The 3rd Count of Torrubia married Isabel de Luján y Colón de Larreátegui, the daughter of Juan Francisco de Luján,[30] Superintendent and Magistrate of Madrid, and Josefa Colón. Isabel was a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus.[31] Marquessate of Villamayor In addition to the family titles, José Juan de Medrano became the 4th Marquess of Villamayor in the province of Salamanca, inherited through his maternal grandmother, Manuela de Albizu y Villamayor, 3rd Marchioness of Villamayor, wife of Juan de Angulo.[32] Manuel de MedranoOn February 13, 1749, Manuel de Medrano, aged 7 years, 9 months, and 3 days, the son of José Juan de Medrano and Isabel Águeda de Luján Arce y Colón, Counts of Torrubia, passed away. He was a parishioner of San Andrés and was interred in the vault of the Lujanes at the parish church of San Pedro el Real.[33] Joaquín de Medrano y LujánJosé Juan de Medrano y Angulo was succeeded by his own son, Joaquín de Medrano y Luján, 4th Count of Torrubia, 5th Marquess of Villamayor.[34][2] The 4th Count of Torrubia died in 1799, leaving behind a two year old daughter, María del Pilar de Medrano y Lorieri Pardo Figueroa y Zabala, who passed away at the age of three in 1800. María de la Concepción de Medrano y LujánJosé Juan's daughter, María de la Concepción de Medrano y Luján, became a Marchioness. María de las Nieves Angulo y Arbizu, I Marchioness of las Nieves was succeeded by her great-niece María de Medrano, daughter of José Juan de Medrano y Angulo, III Count of Torrubia. María de la Concepción de Medrano y Luján (January 28, 1744 – January 1, 1798), became the II Marchioness of las Nieves. María de Medrano married on December 8, 1757, with José de Feloaga y Vargas (1720–1791). The Marquessate of las Nieves is a Spanish nobility title, created on November 29, 1725, by King Philip IV.[2] Manuela de Medrano y AnguloAndrés de Medrano, 2nd Count of Torrubia, was the father of Manuela de Medrano y Angulo. Born on 4 January 1695 in Madrid, Manuela married Francisco de Chacon y Chacon on 21 May 1714, and they had a son named Jose de Chacon y Medrano, who succeeded his paternal grandfather as 3rd Count of Mollina. Jose de Chacon y Medrano was the first cousin of the 4th Count of Torrubia, born in Malaga on March 20, 1727. He married Maria de Mesia y Carvajal in Ubeda on April 27, 1743, passing away in 1784. From this marriage, the 5th and 6th count of Torrubia are descended.[35] Medrano unites with the Dukes of Gor Medrano's great-granddaughter became Duchess of Gor, Grandee of Spain, by marriage. Nicolás Mauricio Álvarez de las Asturias Bohorques y Vélez Ladrón de Guevara, Verdugo y Enríquez de Sevilla, I Duke of Gor married with Medrano's great-granddaughter, María del Carmen Chacón de Medrano.[36] Duchess María del Carmen Chacón de Medrano was the daughter of Francisco Chacón-Manrique de Lara Medrano,[37] who in turn was the son of Manuela Tomasa de Medrano y Angulo (1695), daughter of Andrés de Medrano y Mendizábal, II Count of Torrubia (1654), son of García de Medrano y Alvarez de los Ríos, regent of the Kingdom of Navarre and Seville in the 17th century. Medrano's descendant Fernando Chacón-Manrique de Lara y Messía Medrano (b. 29 February 1837), VI Count of Mollina, Grandee of Spain, became the VII Marquéss of Villamayor, VI Count of Torrubia and the Marquéss of las Nieves.[38] Duchess María del Carmen Chacón de Medrano was born in Seville on July 17, 1772, and died in Madrid on May 2, 1860, belonging to –by her paternal father Francisco Chacón-Manrique de Lara Medrano (1729-1785)– a branch to the county house of Mollina, and by her maternal mother María del Carmen Carrillo de Albornoz Jacome de Linden, to the ducal of Montemar (de Medrano and Carrillo de Albornoz both married in 1738).[37] Francisco Chacón-Manrique de Lara Medrano was the son of Francisco María Chacón-Manrique de Lara Chacón and Manuela Tomasa de Medrano y Angulo,[39] and the grandson of Fernando Chacón y Manrique de Lara, II Count of Mollina.[40] He was also the brother of José Joaquín Chacón-Manrique de Lara Medrano, III Count of Mollina and the paternal uncle of Francisco Chacón-Manrique de Lara y Messía Medrano, IV Count of Mollina, Grandee of Spain.[41] María Mercedes, Josefa Jacinta, Ana, Teresa, Manuela, Antonio and Francisca Javiera Chacón-Manrique de Lara Medrano were siblings of Francisco and José-Joaquín in the Chacón-Manrique de Lara Medrano family.[42] Duchess María del Carmen Chacón de Medrano had, in addition to their heir, a second son named José Alvarez de las Asturias Bohorques y Chacón Medrano (born January 10, 1794, Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain), Lieutenant Colonel of Cavalry of the National Armies of Spain. María's second son José Alvarez married with Maria Josefa Simona Bellvis de Moncada y Palafox Alvarez de Toledo y Portocarrero, XVII Marchioness of Vallhermoso de Tajuña and V Marquesa de Bélgida, Grandee of Spain. The mother in-law of José Alvarez was Maria Benita de los Dolores Palafox y Portocarrero, the legitimate aunt of Eugénie de Montijo, Empress of France; being the youngest sister of Cipriano de Palafox, and the youngest daughter of Felipe Palafox y Croy and María Francisca de Sales Portocarrero y Zúñiga. Empress Eugénie de Montijo was born to Cipriano de Palafox, Duke of Peñaranda del Duero, and María Manuela Enriqueta Kirkpatrick de Closbourn y Grevignée.[43] DeathAndrés de Medrano y Mendizábal passed away on December 22, 1720, in Madrid, following a period of declining health. Earlier that year, he suffered a debilitating stroke, which prompted him to seek treatment at the baths of Ledesma. During his journey, he stayed at the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Salamanca, where he had once studied and where he was by then the oldest surviving collegian. Despite his efforts to recover, his condition worsened, and he returned to Madrid later in the year.[1][2] In his final days, Count Medrano made arrangements to ensure his legacy, leaving behind a carefully documented estate that included his art collection and other possessions. He also gifted a fine silver lamp to the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé, intended for use in the parish in the event of the chapel's incorporation into the college.[1] Medrano's passing marked the end of a distinguished career that spanned decades of service to the Spanish Crown. His remains were interred with honor.[2] See also
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