[1] On 10 June 1454, after the death of his father, Luis de la Cerda inherited the title of 5th Count of Medinaceli.
In one of his letters to Mendoza, he writes: The Duke of Medinaceli became interested in the project of Columbus, who lived in poverty at the time, and provided him with financial support.
Since his own fleet was not sufficient for a large-scale expedition, the Duke brought the navigator together with Cardinal Mendoza and Queen Isabella, thus making his contribution to the discovery of America.
[1][2] Luis de la Cerda was also one of the first persons that Columbus contacted when he had returned from his first voyage to the Americas.
Upon entering into marriage, Count Medinaceli renounced all rights to inherit Navarre, claimed by the Prince of Viana.