Prior to his election, Juan had been a canon of the cathedral chapter of León holding the archdeaconry of Saldaña since at least 1300.
[1] He was elected between 20 August and 15 September 1315, when he received the standard charter of privileges from King Alfonso XI and his regents (María de Molina, Pedro de Castilla and Juan el Tuerto) during a session of the cortes in Burgos.
His election ended a vacancy of two years following the transfer of Bishop Gonzalo de Hinojosa.
The suit was heard by Cardinal Berengar Fredol, who dismissed it for improper venue because the plaintiffs had not raised the issue at the time of the election but had brought it directly to the Holy See.
[2] He left his houses, which were worth 20,000 maravedíes, to the chapter to finance anniversary masses for his soul.