[3] As recorded in table 6 of the Mayorazgos of Viana, it was founded in 1437 by the Royal Chamberlain of Navarre and Aragon, Juan Vélaz de Medrano, the fourth of his name, lord of Iguzquiza and Learza.

[3] Juan established the Vélaz de Medrano mayorazgo to preserve his family wealth and status across generations, primarily inherited by the eldest son to prevent property division.

Their estate was located at San Miguel, 20, strategically positioned near key noble and ecclesiastical properties, including the house of episcopal dignity and the residence of the Count of Torre-Múzquiz.

[19] In 1406, he was granted two mesnadas, which rented 40 pounds, whose collection was assigned on the chests of the places of Legaria, Mirafuentes and Ubago, having to serve for them with two men-at-arms on horseback.

[20] A year later, in 1407, Medrano was appointed panaderia squire at the royal hostel and obtained exemption from the payment of extraordinary tax aid voted in Cortes.

[23] The following year, 1410, he was prepared to go to the civil war in Aragon, but received a prohibition order from Queen Eleanor, governor of the kingdom in the absence of Charles III.

[24] In the early 15th century, Juan Vélaz de Medrano possessed territories southwest of the kingdom of Navarra, specifically in the Estella merindad.

[34] Later, Learza was part of the land owned by de Medrano's marquisate of Vessolla and, before that, there are indications it was a nucleus of population in times past: no less than the Bronze Age itself.

[36] In 1427, Juan Vélaz de Medrano possessed a defined residential area in Zabal, situated in the Yerri valley, indicating ownership of houses or estates in the locality.

[39] Orendáin is a locality within the historical valley of Mañeru, Merindad de Estella, located in the municipality of Guirguillano, in the province of Navarre, Spain.

[4] Unsuccessful, they were condemned to continue to satisfy Juan Vélaz de Medrano with dinner, to pay considerable fines, plus the costs of the trial, and to demand forgiveness.

In the early stages of feudalism in Navarre, the prevailing practice was for the dinner to be an annual repast benefiting a set number of lords and mounts.

The personal visit of Juan Vélaz de Medrano to collect the dinner in Orendáin suggests that the customary perception of this tribute mirrored the La Oliva model, where farmers were obligated to provide sustenance for the lord's entourage and their mounts.

Only one of the unfortunate peasants, Jimeno Miguel from Artazu, managed - due to his impoverished circumstances - to secure forgiveness for half of his fine from King himself in Olite on May 19, 1412.

In 1412 he took part in the Hundred Years' War during the expedition that Navarra forces undertook in Languedoc in aid of the King of France and the Duke of Bourgogne against their enemies with their English allies, a campaign for which he enlisted a contingent of 4 men-at-arms and 4 crossbowmen.

[56] In 1414, he relinquished his role as the Alcaide of Monjardín[57] to assume the position of royal chamberlain, inaugurating this post by leading a mission to Bearn with carts for the Count of Foix.

The late king's daughter, Queen Blanche I of Navarre, confirmed her father's previous donations to Juan Vélaz de Medrano in 1428.

[65] Amidst the war against Castile in 1429–1430, Juan Vélaz de Medrano, fourth of his name, was appointed Alcaide of the town and castle of Viana,[66] leading a company comprising 10 men-at-arms and 20 foot soldiers.

[2][4] Juan Vélaz de Medrano accompanied Queen Blanche I on a pilgrimage to Santa María del Pilar in 1433, earning 15 guilders for himself and his squires to serve as merinos.

For example, a chaplaincy in Ujué provided meals for five impoverished individuals, while she also supported the hermits of Santa Brígida near Olite—whose habit featured the Holy Spirit's emblem—and backed a Charity brotherhood in Pamplona.

Members wore blue sashes adorned with a gold pillar enameled in white, encircled by the motto “A ti me arrimo” (I lean on you).

[71] The last recorded mention of Juan Vélaz de Medrano dates back to January 1441, and it is presumed that his death occurred not long after.

His titles passed to his heir and son, Ferran Vélaz de Medrano y Ruen, Lord of Learza and Iguzquiza, ricohombre of Navarre.

[86] The House of Medrano began to regularly appear in Navarra documentation in the latter part of the 13th century as a noble family in the Estella merindad, serving the monarchy in roles such as ricohombres, crusaders, knights, barons, lords, mesnaderos, castle alcaides, merinos and within the clergy.

Rodrigo Ibáñez de Medrano even aspired to the bishopric, attaining the mitre of Pamplona in 1304,[87] a result of the prominence of this lineage within the ecclesiastical structure.

[88] This continued into the 14th century, with de Medrano maintaining their presence in the chapter, contributing to the consolidation of their prestige through various positions in both secular and ecclesiastical administration.

[89][90] This concurrent involvement strongly suggests a deliberate interest in leveraging influential roles within the kingdom's ecclesiastical hierarchy for both advancement and social influence.

The family's historical prominence peaked with Juan Martínez de Medrano playing a significant role in the succession crisis of 1328, which resulted in the Navarrese throne passing to the House of Évreux.

[92] Despite this moment of glory, the house of Medrano faced challenges that mirrored the difficulties affecting European society, particularly the nobility, in the first half of the 14th century.

Juan's family saw a potential upswing in fortune during the latter half of the century, possibly due to close ties and military services rendered to Charles III of Navarre.