Antonio Vélaz de Medrano, I Marquess of Tabuérniga

Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Altamirano, I Marquess of Tabuérniga (Labastida, 1637 – Spa, Belgium, 1683) was a distinguished Basque-Spanish noble and military figure during the reign of Philip IV and Charles II of Spain, who served as governor of the strategic city of Nieuwpoort in Flanders and Sergeant General of Battle. The title of Marquess de Tabuérniga (also called Marqués de Tabuérniga de Vélazar) was granted by King Charles II in 1682. He was a knight of the Order of Santiago. The Most Illustrious Lord Medrano is also known for having led an interesting diplomatic initiative by negotiating with the United Provinces of the Netherlands for the cession of the island of Tobago to himself, as prince.

Ancestry and early years
Antonio Vélaz was born into the very ancient and noble House of Medrano, originally from the Palace of Vélaz de Medrano in the Kingdom of Navarre, and the noble Houses of Zúñiga, Altamirano and Ponce de León. He was the son of Captain General Pedro Vélaz de Medrano y Manso de Zúñiga, II Lord of Tabuérniga; and María de Altamirano y Ponce de León, a relative of Juan Ponce de León.

Ancestry
He is the paternal grandson of Don Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Mendoza and María Magdalena Manso de Zúñiga y Solá, I Lady of Tabuérniga. His paternal grandfather Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Mendoza had served as a knight of the Order of Santiago, a soldier in Naples and Sicily and would later become magistrate in the towns of Malaga (1609-12), Cuenca and Huete (1612-14).

The Marquess' paternal grandmother Magdalena Manso de Zúñiga y Sola was the paternal niece of Pedro Manso de Zúñíga y Medrano, bishop of Calahorra, as well as the sister of Pedro Manso de Zúñiga y Sola, president of the Council of Castile, and Francisco Manso de Zúñiga y Sola, I Count of Hervias and Archbishop of Mexico, Burgos and Cartagena.

He is the also the paternal great-great-grandson of Beatriz Martínez de Medrano, mother of Juan Manso de Zúñiga y Medrano "El Joven," lord of Canillas, Canãs and Santorcaz, great-grandfather of the Marquess Don Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Altamirano.

Journey to New Spain
In 1644, following his father's appointment as the Captain General of the Armada de Barlovento and still a child, he moved to the Indies with his family, settling in the Viceroyalty of New Spain. There, they were detained and placed under custody in the city of Atlixco after news of his father's desertion to the Portuguese. Released in 1650, Antonio chose a military career to restore his family's honor.

Military and Administrative Career
During the reign of Philip IV of Spain, Medrano joined the galleys of Spain in 1651, participating in various actions on the Catalan front such as the capture of Mataró, the siege and capture of Barcelona during the Reapers' War, the recovery of the Fort of San Juan de los Reyes, or the battle of San Feliú. Once the Catalan rebellion was subdued, he moved to the Portuguese front, initially joining the army of Extremadura, where he participated in the Duke of Osuna's incursion near Portalegre. He was seriously wounded and taken prisoner. Once released, he continued his services, participating in the battles of Badajoz and Elvas in 1658. After these setbacks, he transferred to the army of Galicia, where he continued his services for 9 years.

Governor of Nieuwpoort (1671)
Following the peace treaty with Portugal, Antonio Vélaz de Medrano headed to his final destination: Flanders. In these provinces, thanks to the protection of the governor, Count of Monterrey, he received favors and promotions: the habit of the Order of Santiago, promotion to captain of light cavalry, the rank of sergeant general of battle, and the appointment as governor of Nieuwpoort. This last charge was conferred upon him in 1671. Medrano's tenure as governor involved significant military and diplomatic challenges, as the region was a focal point for conflict between the major European powers.

Franco-Dutch War
In 1672, the Franco-Dutch War began, forcing Governor Antonio Vélaz de Medrano to confront the French hostilities on the front line. To prevent them from seizing the stronghold, he decided among other measures to break the dikes protecting the vicinity of the town, flooding it. Although this damaged the region's economy, it hindered the French advance and prevented the expected fall of the stronghold. Nieuwpoort was strategically important due to its position near the coast and its potential as a landing spot for military operations and trade. The Franco-Dutch War saw France under King Louis XIV seeking to expand its territory and influence at the expense of the Spanish Netherlands (of which Flanders was a part) and the Dutch Republic.

By 1675, the first Modern Royal Military and Mathematics Academy of Flanders in Europe was opened up in Brussels by the sole-director Don Sebastian Fernández de Medrano, Battle General, General of the Artillery, General Prefect, Alferez and Master of Mathematics, at the request of the Governor of the Habsburg Netherlands, Carlos de Aragón de Gurrea, 9th Duke of Villahermosa, in order to correct the shortage of artillerymen and engineers from the Spanish Tercio, one of the finest professional infantries in the world.

Duelist
The practice of dueling was deeply rooted in Modern Age Europe to the point that in the 17th century it had become quite a fashion despite the prohibitions prescribed by civil and military legislation. Don Antonio Vélaz de Medrano had his first flirtation with duels in 1677, while on official mission in Madrid. His opponent was to be Juan de Lasarte, lieutenant general of the Cambrai castle. It was necessary to resort to the mediation of the Duke of Osuna to settle the differences between the two military men and avoid their confrontation.

A year later, however, Antonio Vélaz de Medrano played the role of "second sword" for his fellow soldier, the sergeant major Juan de Velasco, who challenged his superior, lieutenant general Francisco Marcos de Velasco, over some critical words the commander had spoken against his subordinate. The duel ended with the victory of Medrano and Juan de Velasco. However, their insolence was swiftly punished by Carlos de Aragón de Gurrea, 9th Duke of Villahermosa and governor of the Netherlands, who imprisoned the former in the Castle of the Counts of Ghent and ordered the execution of the latter.

Fearing the same fate, Antonio Vélaz de Medrano fled his prison taking advantage of the city's fall into French hands in March 1678. To avoid retaliation, he sought refuge in the United Provinces, from where he only returned in October of the same year after obtaining guarantees that his life would be respected. In fact, his protectors at court managed to have him merely reprimanded and punished with serving for six months without a post.

Prince of the Island of Tobago
There is one matter that particularly stands out in Don Antonio's career, it is his project to crown himself prince of the island of Tobago. During his forced exile in the United Provinces, Don Antonio Vélaz de Medrano initiated negotiations with the States General for the cession of this Caribbean island to himself, on the condition of maintaining very favorable economic conditions for the Dutch. Unable to sway the Dutch, Don Antonio Vélaz de Medrano returned to Spain in October 1678 and tried to obtain permission from Charles II to formalize the project, but the Council of the Indies and the Council of State advised against proceeding with it, ultimately Medrano's death prevented this title from coming to fruition. Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Altamirano's attempt to gain control over the island of Tobago in the late 17th century was driven by several key motives: the Caribbean region was highly valued for its economic potential, thanks to its lucrative trade in sugar, tobacco, and other valuable commodities. Gaining sovereignty over a principality in Tobago would not only have provided Antonio Vélaz de Medrano with significant economic benefits but also strategic military advantages due to the island's location in a contested naval area. Additionally, becoming the prince of Tobago would have greatly enhanced his personal and family prestige and status, offering him sovereign authority of Tobago.

Marquessate of Tabuérniga and heir
As compensation for abandoning the Tobago project, Antonio received the title of the Marquessate of Tabuérniga in 1682 from Charles II of Spain. The title was created over a majorat founded in 1602 by Bishop Pedro Manso de Zúñiga y Medrano, whose main income precisely consisted of the village of Tabuérniga, near the town of Labastida (Álava).

Marriage and descendants
Don Antonio Vélaz de Medrano married a lady from the Hurtado de Mendoza family. The Marquessate of Tabuérniga was inherited by his descendants, notably his son Jaime Velaz de Medrano y Hurtado de Mendoza, II Marquess of Tabuérniga, his grandson Jaime José Ignacio Velaz de Medrano y Barros, III Marquess of Tabuérniga, and his great-grandson Fernando Agustín Velaz de Medrano Bracamonte y Dávila (London, December 23, 1742-Cape of Good Hope, November 22, 1791), a nobleman, aristocrat and military man, 15th Marquess of Cañete, Grandee of Spain, 6th Marquess of Fuente el Sol, 8th Marquess of Navamorcuende and 15th Lord of Montalbo, known primarily for his friendship with the literary man José Cadalso. In 1786 Don Fernando Vélaz de Medrano inherited the illustrious Marquessates of Fuente el Sol, Cañete and Navamorcuende on the death of his uncle Agustín de Bracamonte. The last two were associated with the greatness of Spain.

20th century
On November 11, 1980, a resolution was issued by the Subsecretariat, calling upon Don Jaime de Mora y Aragón and Doña Eugenia Florán-Velaz de Medrano y Ballesteros to participate in the process of rehabilitating the Marquess of Tabuérniga title. Both individuals had submitted requests for the rehabilitation of this title. In accordance with the provisions outlined in number 25 of the Royal Order dated October 21, 1922. Signed by the Subsecretary, Arturo Romaní Biescas, this resolution was issued in Madrid on November 11, 1980.

Death
In his last years, he suffered various health ailments that recommended the use of the medicinal waters of the town of Spa, Belgium. There he died on August 3, 1683.