Antonio Fernando De Medrano

Antonio Fernando de Medrano Langarica y Santa Cruz ( Santa Cruz de Campezo, Álava – Madrid, 19 November 1666) was a 17th-century Spanish barber-surgeon who practiced in Madrid during the reign of Philip IV. A member of the respected Medrano family, he provided medical and surgical services, including bloodletting and minor operations, at a time when barber-surgeons played a crucial role in healthcare, particularly in rural areas. His professional standing is reflected in his estate, which included an extensive collection of surgical instruments, fine furniture, silverware, and a notable personal library containing medical, legal, and literary works. His will and posthumous inventory provide valuable insights into the material culture and medical practices of the period.

Early life

Antonio Fernando de Medrano was a native of Santa Cruz de Campezo (Álava), born to Bartolomé de Medrano and Catalina de Santa Cruz, who were also originally from the same town in the province of Álava, within the Diocese of Calahorra. Antonio was a member of the influential Medrano family, active during the Spanish Golden Age, originally recognized as '' ricoshombres'' ("rich-men") of the kingdom. He was also connected to the House of Langarica (a surname derived from the hamlet of Langarika), and, through his mother, to the House of Santa Cruz, both of noble Basque origin.

Education

He was likely educated in Valladolid. Assuming he began his education in Valladolid in his late teens or early 20s, his birth can be estimated around 1610–1615.

Medical career and library

Doctor Antonio Fernando de Medrano was a 17th-century Spanish barber-surgeon, highly skilled in minor surgery, bloodletting, and dental extractions. He was already practicing his trade in Madrid by 1639. In his will, he documented his service as a barber-surgeon to Isabel de Portocarrero y Luna, 4th Countess of Ricla in Aragón, wife of Manuel de los Cobos, 4th Marquess of Camarasa. Unlike many in his trade, he possessed an extensive medical library, reflecting his deep engagement with surgical techniques and medical advancements of the time. On 3 December 1666, the library of Antonio Fernando de Medrano was appraised by pharmacist Baltasar Oset. The collection consisted of 27 titles, a relatively small number, though the diversity of subjects reflected the broad intellectual interests of this barber-surgeon from Álava.

Surgical and medical literature

The most significant section of the library, however, was devoted to surgical and medical literature, an unusual feature for a barber-surgeon of the time, as many in the profession lacked formal education. This diverse collection reveals Medrano's dedication to professional knowledge, setting him apart from many of his contemporaries in the field of barber-surgery, who often relied more on tradition than on scholarly study. His collection included works by renowned medical authorities, among the appraised medical texts were:
*''Surgery on Wounds'' by Guido de Chauliac (Valencia, 1597), valued at 20 reales.
*''First and Second Parts of Surgery'' by Dionisio Daza Chacón es">:es:Dionisio_Daza_Chacón">es(Valladolid, 1580 & 1595), appraised at 36 reales.
*''Surgery and Practice'' by Giovanni Vigo (Medina del Campo, 1548), worth 16 reales.
*''Practice and Theory of Abscesses'' by Pedro López de León (Seville, 1628), valued at 16 reales.
*''Universal Surgery'' by Juan Fragoso (Alcalá de Henares, 1592), valued at 24 reales.
*''Compendium of Surgery'' by Francisco Díaz (Madrid, 1575, 1643), worth 12 reales.
*''Diseases and Their Prevention'' by Nicolás Bocangelino (Madrid, 1600), priced at 6 reales.

Surgical tools

On 8 December 1666, Miguel Martínez, a barber, evaluated the surgical instruments belonging to Antonio Fernando de Medrano. The tools included a small copper brazier for heating water, valued at 50 reales, and a barber's box, covered in shell and silver, containing a silver-framed mirror, worth 150 reales. A surgical case with silver-handled tools was assessed at 72 reales, while a lancet case featuring a fish-tail design with silver lancet handles was valued at 50 reales. An older case containing scissors, a punch, and a small knife was worth 20 reales, and a fontanel (a bloodletting tool) made of iron with a silver plate was appraised at 22 reales. Additionally, a green curtain and shop insignia were valued at 12 reales. Two surgical syringes for algalia (likely for urological procedures) and ten probes of varying sizes were also noted on 23 November 1666 by Manuel Mayers, who appraised his collection of silver and jewelry.Sobre inventarios de barberos véase Luis Martín Santos.- op. cit., págs. 70-81.

Additional literature

His religious texts were notably scarce, limited to a biography of Saint Mary Magdalene of Pazzi and a ''History of the Translation of Saint Eugene''. The library contained some legal works, including ''The Laws of Aragón'' and writings by the Portuguese jurist Agustín Barbosa. Other volumes covered history and agriculture, such as
Visit of the Prison
' by Tomás Cerdán de Tallada,
The Origin of Secular Dignities of Castile and León
' by Pedro Salazar y Mendoza, and
Royal and Genealogical Catalogue of Spain
' by Rodrigo Méndez Silva. The library also contained
Book of Agricultural Secrets
' by Fray Miguel Agustí (Barcelona, 1617), valued at 6 reales. Interestingly, the collection also included a chivalric novel, ''The History of Don Florisel de Niquea'' by Feliciano de Silva (Book X, 1532).

Marriage and issue

He married Isabel de Aliaga in 1640, with whom he had three children:
* María de Medrano y Aliaga
* Antonia de Medrano y Aliaga
* Felipe de Medrano y Aliaga

In his will, Antonio Fernando de Medrano declared his three children—María, Antonia, and Felipe—as his universal heirs. His executors included his wife, the accountant Juan Ortiz de Velasco, the lawyer Esteban Ordóñez de Salazar, and the business agent Luis Ortiz de Bonilla.

Family

The House of Medrano, a noble lineage, established a branch in Álava, to which Antonio Fernando de Medrano belonged. The Palace of Vélaz de Medrano in Orenín, Álava, as described by Guerra, features a quartered coat of arms with distinct heraldic elements. The first quarter includes a passing wolf in the first and fourth sections, while the second and third sections display a cauldron (a symbol of the '' ricohombre''). The second quarter showcases a tree with a passing wolf at its base, accompanied by a flying goshawk on the right flank. In the third quarter, the first and fourth sections contain a cross flory, while the second and third sections bear an eight-pointed star. The fourth quarter features a diagonal chain between two opposing crescents, surmounted by a fortified wall. Additionally, this section is distinguished by a border adorned with eight scallop shells, a design element exclusive to this quarter.

The Medrano family had ancestral homes in Luquin (Estella), with branches in Puente La Reina and Tudela, from where they later moved to Ágreda (Soria), in Navarra. The Navarrese house of Vélaz de Medrano later settled in Labastida (Álava). In Álava, the most prominent houses were in Eturia ( Barrundia) and Elciego, the latter eventually expanding to Madrid. A branch of Vélaz de Medrano also established itself in Orenín (Gamboa). Additionally, members of the Medrano lineage were present in Oñate (Guipúzcoa) as well as in Dima and San Julián de Musques ( Vizcaya). His relative and contemporary, Sebastián Francisco de Medrano, a poet and priest from Madrid, served at San Pedro el Real, the same church where Antonio had maintained a devotion to Nuestra Señora de la Concepción since 1639 and was later buried in 1666.Historical Archive of Madrid Protocols. Protocol 6478, folios 329-332.

Will

On September 1, 1666, Antonio Fernando de Medrano finalized his will and last directives before Madrid notary Dionisio de Escobar. This document provides important insights into his life and final wishes. Recognizing the inevitability of death, he stated that while he remained in good health, he experienced minor ailments. His burial was to take place at San Pedro el Real in Madrid, near the altar rails of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, a devotion he had maintained since 1639. In his will, he requested the following:

Funeral Arrangements

* He requested to be buried in the habit of Saint Francis.
* His funeral procession was to include:
**The parish cross
**Twelve clergy members, including the parish priest and beneficiaries
**Twelve Franciscan friars
**Children from the ''doctrina''
**Members of the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción, San Pedro, and San Cosme y San Damián confraternities
*His body was to be carried to the grave by lay brothers of Antón Martín.

Grave and Memorial Services

*His grave was to be surrounded by fabric, with thirty-six candlesticks and lit candles placed on the floor.
*A sung funeral Mass with a deacon and subdeacon was to be performed.
*120 additional Masses were to be said for his soul, his deceased relatives, and the souls in purgatory, held at privileged altars selected by his executors. Each Mass was to cost two and a half reales.
*A second sung Mass was to be performed nine days after his burial.

Final Provisions

*He left two reales for mandatory alms.
*He documented his service as a barber and surgeon to the Countess of Ricla, who still owed him unpaid wages.

Death

On 19 November 1666, Antonio Fernando de Medrano Langarica y Santa Cruz passed away in Madrid and burial at San Pedro el Real in Madrid, near the altar rails of Nuestra Señora de la Concepción.

Appraisal of Medrano's estate

Four days after his death, an inventory of his belongings was conducted. On 23 November 1666, Manuel Mayers appraised his collection of silver and jewelry. Manuel Mayers was a prominent appraiser in Madrid during the latter half of the 17th century, often sought after to assess goods related to his profession. While the quantity was limited, the items stood out for their exceptional craftsmanship. Medrano's belongings included fine household textiles, clothing, kitchenware, furniture, artwork, sculptures, a small but notable library, professional tools, and a valuable collection of silver and gold jewelry. Among the silverware were:

Five barber basins (four with handles), three warming jugs with ornate lids, bases, and mascaron-shaped spouts, and two square candlesticks with snuffers. The dining set featured decorative "hen plates", matching medium and small plates, and a deep fluted plate. The drinkware included a plain gilded cup, an engraved jug with a handle and spout, two goblets with square designs, and a pocket-sized egg-shaped container. Seasoning vessels comprised two fluted salt shakers and two lidded pepper shakers with finials, along with a vine leaf-shaped dish with handles. The inventory also listed tremblers (bowl-like dishes) in various sizes, an oval ointment box with compartments, a round engraved tray, a travel goblet, and a gilded salver. Additionally, there were eleven mismatched spoons and forks, a small four-compartment box, and a tall round lidded box.

Additional objects included:
*A small bell with a handle and chain
*A lion-shaped rattle with four bells and a chain
*Two surgical syringes for algalia (likely for urological procedures)
*Ten probes of varying sizes.

The total value of his silver was valued at 5,869 reales.Barrio Moya, J. L. (2006). La biblioteca de Don Fernando de Medrano Langarica, un barbero-cirujano alavés en el Madrid de Felipe IV (1666). Boletín de la R.S.B.A.P., 62(1), 59–68.

Religious and ornamental pieces

The inventory also listed several valuable religious and ornamental pieces:

*A round silver reliquary with a beveled edge, handle, and chains, containing an Agnus Dei, valued at 64 reales.
*A crystal suction cup with a gilded silver handle and chain, valued at 16 reales.
*A small gold oval jewel featuring an illumination of Saint Francis on one side and Saint Anthony on the other, decorated with white mirrors on one side and red mirrors on the other, valued at 40 reales.
*An oval enameled gold reliquary with a beveled edge, handle, and additional support, valued at 147.5 reales.
*A length of gold cord crafted in the Portuguese style, valued at 290 reales.

Textiles

On December 1, 1666, silk merchant Francisco Nieto de Medina appraised a refined yet opulent collection of textiles from the estate of Antonio Fernando de Medrano. The most distinguished piece was a crimson damask bed hanging from Granada, measuring 51 varas (approximately 43 meters), intricately decorated with Milanese gold braid, wide fringes, and silk cords from Granada. The fabric was further enhanced with narrow fringe, corner embellishments, curtains, and a bocací lining (a coarse silk) with ribbons, valued at 6,000 reales. Additionally, the inventory included a slightly worn crimson damask tablecloth, appraised at 150 reales, and six ornamental bed elements, made of coarse linen on one side and adorned with colored silk tassels, valued at 600 reales.

On 1 December 1666, María Cerezo, widow of Juan de la Gándara, evaluated household textiles and kitchenware. Her assessment included tablecloths, sheets, napkins, shirts, cordellate (corded fabric) curtains, mattresses, quilts, blankets, socks, and undergarments. The kitchen inventory featured copper heaters, a brazier box with its matching basin (also copper), ladles, brass candlesticks, grills, and oil lamps. On 2 December 1666, tailor Andrés de Valdivieso appraised various garments, including capes, hats, breeches, doublets, bodices, taffeta sleeves, wool cloaks, shoes, boots, and a damask skirt.

Furniture

On 2 December 1666, José de Pinto, a master carpenter, assessed a selection of furniture from the estate. Among the items were four worn leather chairs from Moscow, valued at 100 reales, and three matching stools, appraised at 54 reales. The inventory also included several walnut desks, one measuring over a vara (approximately 0.83 meters) in length and nearly the same in width, valued at 50 reales, another slightly larger but older, priced at 33 reales, and a third, measuring three tercias (about 0.69 meters) with a drawer, appraised at 44 reales. Additional pieces included a small pine cabinet with two doors and a lock, described as old, valued at 20 reales, and a small writing desk from Salamanca, featuring two doors, a lock, and walnut legs, assessed at 55 reales. A simple walnut footstool was appraised at 18 reales, while a writing desk with a walnut table, a ''vara'' in length, and showing signs of use, was given a value of 300 reales. Another mahogany writing desk, equipped with six drawers and bronze fittings, was valued at 100 reales.

The appraisal also covered beds and storage chests, including a pine bed with two gilded headboards, considered antique, appraised at 100 reales, and three other aged pine beds, collectively valued at 48 reales. Three chests were also listed: one covered in black sheepskin with gilded nail studs, measuring about one and a half ''varas'', valued at 80 reales, another covered in horsehide, priced at 40 reales, and a third wrapped in leather, assessed at 50 reales. Among the heating and utility items were two long, flat pine braziers from the store, valued at 24 reales, along with another brazier with a backrest, priced at 14 reales. A wooden lattice from the same store was appraised at 16 reales, while a cash drawer was valued at 24 reales. Other furnishings included a cloak rack with pegs (6 reales), racks for basins (24 reales), and a device with a grindstone (24 reales). A crystal mirror with an ebony frame, a more valuable item, was appraised at 55 reales.

Art collection

On December 7, 1666, Eugenio de Nájera, a master painter who stated he was around 30 years old, assessed the art collection of Antonio Fernando de Medrano. The inventory featured various religious paintings and engravings, including a painting of Saint Veronica, over a ''vara'' tall, set in a black frame, valued at 150 reales. There was also a panel painting of Our Lady with a gilded frame, slightly smaller, worth 66 reales. Additional works included a panel of Saint Ildefonso and Our Lady, as well as another of Our Lady and the Child, both with black frames and appraised at 50 and 66 reales, respectively. Among the sculptures in the collection, the most valuable piece was a bronze figure of the Crucified Christ with Death at His Feet, half a vara tall, mounted on a pearwood cross, worth 300 reales.

Other notable pieces included a panel of Saint Francis, measuring three quartas tall, framed in gilded and black wood, valued at 88 reales, and a canvas of Our Lady, of similar size and framing, priced at 48 reales. A smaller painting of Saint Veronica, about half a ''vara'' tall, unframed, was worth 20 reales. The collection also contained several copper engravings, such as one of the Savior, half a ''vara'' tall, with an ebony frame (100 reales) and another of Our Lady, of the same dimensions and value. A panel of Ecce Homo, arched, half a ''vara'' tall, in a gilded frame, was one of the most valuable items, appraised at 300 reales. Additionally, a copper engraving of Saint Dominic of Soriano, measuring a quarter ''vara'', was framed in black pearwood and valued at 100 reales.

References

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People from Álava
17th-century Spanish physicians
Spanish physicians
Physicians from Madrid
Spanish surgeons
1666 deaths
16th-century births
Year of birth unknown