Viscountcy of Azpa
Creation date	Mid 16th century
Created by	Philip II of Spain
Peerage	Spanish Nobility
First holder	Don Alonso Vélaz de Medrano Navarra y Liédena
Present holder	José Velaz de Medrano y Echevarría
Status	Extant
Seat(s)	Palace of Azpa
Former seat(s)	Palace of Fontellas
Motto	AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA DOMINUS TECUM (Hail Mary, full of Grace, the Lord is with thee)

The Viscounts of Azpa were the rulers of the Viscountcy of Azpa. The Viscountcy takes its name from the town of Azpa, a locality and council located in the municipality of Valle de Egüés, in Navarre province, Spain. The Viscountcy of Azpa was granted by Philip II of Spain in the mid-16th century to Don Alonso Vélaz de Medrano Navarra y Liédena, who served as a captain of cavalry under Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, the 3rd Duke of Alba de Tormes.^[1] The Viscounts of Azpa, who were descendants of Queen Joan II of Navarre and King Philip III of Évreux,^[2] were later granted the title Marquess of Fontellas.^[3][4][5]

On November 11, 1980, the Undersecretary's office issued a resolution announcing that José Vélaz de Medrano y Echevarría had applied for the succession to the title of Viscount of Azpa.^[6][7]

Azpa is situated at the southeastern tip of the Egüés Valley and is the final locality accessible via national road 150. Azpa holds significant historical interest and boasts an ancient lordship attached to the Medrano family, with remnants of its noble past still visible. The town is home to the palace of the Viscount of Azpa and Marquess of Fontellas, a noble family noted for Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Echauz' leading role in the historic battle of Amaiur-Maya in 1522.^[4][8][9]

At the entrance of Azpa is a building known as The Palace, which forms a horizontal block, with a semicircular arch as the entrance and a baroque shield on the facade.^[10] Carlos Vélaz de Medrano was once the lord of the palaces and pechas of Azpa and Mendillori.^[11] A table of genealogy exists for the Viscounts of Azpa, tracing back to Joan II of Navarre and Philip III of Évreux.^[2]

Don Alonso Vélaz de Medrano Navarra y Liédena became the 1st Viscount of Azpa, Lord of the Palace of Azpa.^[1] He married Catalina de Liédena y Larrasoaña, the Lady of Mendillorri. He served as a captain of cavalry under Fernando Álvarez de Toledo y Pimentel, the 3rd Duke of Alba de Tormes.^[1]

Around 1565, the palace of Mendillori passed into the possession of Licenciado Liédena following his marriage to Juana de Larrasoaña. The owners of Mendillorri enjoyed the privilege of sitting in the Kingdom's Cortes and were summoned during the time of the viceroys, the Count of Miranda and the Marquess of Almazán. In 1588, Martín de Rada declared in a lawsuit that the estate was a “palace of great quality.”^[12]

In 1588, the palace of Mendillori was owned by Catalina de Liédena y Larrasoaña, and in 1631, her son Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Liédena, 2nd Viscount of Azpa, received from King Philip IV the grant of lower and middle jurisdiction over the place, in exchange for a service of 800 ducats to the Crown.^[12][13] The palace of Mendillori still exists today.^[14]

He was succeeded by Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, married to Petronila Pérez de Veraiz e Ibero. In 1690, the palace of Mendillori was owned by his son José, who carried out works valued at 750 ducats. He was succeeded by his son Joaquín. José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano was granted the title of Marquis of Fontellas by Charles IV in 1793, though he had to pay 843,000 reales for the rights and processing fees.^[12]

Alonso's namesake son Don Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Liédena became the II Viscount of Azpa. The palace of Azpa appears as a corporal of armory on the official payroll of the Kingdom. Azpa is located 16km east of Pamplona. The palace of Azpa belonged in 1631 to Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra, III Viscount of Azpa, whose guardian, on his behalf, brought a lawsuit in the chamber over the rebate of the barracks. In those years, the firstborn of the Medrano lineage already bore the title of viscounts of Azpa.^[15]

On 6 August 1604, Deputy Alonso Vélaz de Medrano, II Viscount of Azpa, served as the military representative in the Deputation of the Kingdom, where he played a key role in representing the interests of the crown and military. He married a Lady from the royal House of Navarra, herself being a descendant of the Kings of Navarre; de Navarra is a minor branch of the House of Capet, and Évreux, from the French Capetain dynasty.^[16]

Don Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra (d. 1683), III Viscount of Azpa, and a descendant of Queen Joan II of Navarre and King Philip III of Évreux, married María de Ripalda y Ayanz de Ureta and together they had 8 children in Azpa.^[2]

On 27 December 1642, Alonso Vélaz de Medrano y Navarra was representing the university Deputation of the Kingdom.^[16]

María de Ripalda was the daughter of Luis de Ripalda and María Ayanz de Ureta. Luis de Ripalda's parents were Luis Ripalda and Agueda Amatriain. Luis de Ripalda, later known as the Count of Ripalda, married María Sebastián. María Sebastián's father was Salvador Sebastián, who was the uncle of Luis Sebastián y Donamaría, the lord of Iriberri.^[17]

In 1847, the Vélaz de Medrano family from Pamplona held the right to appoint the parish priest of Ripalda.^[18]

José Velaz de Medrano y Navarra (d. 1719), IV Viscount of Azpa, lord of Mendillori, married Ana María de Larrea Zunzarren, also known as Lady Beunza Larrea.^[2] Together, they had two children:

• Josépha Velaz de Medrano y Larrea, (b. 1685 Peralta - 1711 in Irunea), who married Francisco Argaiz Galdeano VI, with descendants.^[2]
• Joaquin Velaz de Medrano y Larrea, V Viscount of Azpa, born around 1690 in Irunea and died in 1770.^[2]

José Velaz de Medrano y Navarra held several prestigious titles, including IV Viscount of Azpa and Lord of Autol and Mendillorri.^[19] He was also the Owner of the Entailed Estate and Palaces of Cape of Arms of Beunza-Larrea and Ripalda.^[20]

On 28 February 1692 José Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Medrano, IV Viscount of Azpa, was a representative of the Military Deputation. On 16 December 1699 José Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa replaced Juan Ventura de Arizcun, Viscount of Arbeloa in the University Deputation.^[16][21]

Don José was the lord of Mendillori and the town of Autol in the 18th century. In 1716, José's daughter Doña María Francisca Vélaz de Medrano was married to Gabriel Cano de Aponte, Royal Governor of Chile from 1717 to 1733.^[22] José Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa, Lord of Autol, was noted for his claim against the Deputation of the Kingdom, regarding payment of 508 ducats for the expenses of a trip to Madrid.^[23]

Don Joaquin Velaz de Medrano y Larrea (d. 1770),^[2] V Viscount of Azpa, 19th Lord of Autol, etc., born around 1690 in Irunea. On 23 March 1726, Don Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa served as the university representative in the Deputation of the Kingdom alongside Don Elías Íñiguez de Medrano.^[16]

Joaquín Antonio Vélaz de Medrano y Alava (d. 1782),^[2] 6th Viscount of Azpa, Lord of Mendillorri, Buenzalarrea, labaso, Amalain, Villanuevo, 20th lord of Autol, Yerga, etc.^[24][25] He was born in Villafranca de Navarra on 8 June 1728, and died on August 10 1782.^[26]

On 29 October 1749, Don Joaquin Velaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa and lord of the town of Autol, residing in the city of Pamplona, outlined the legitimacy of his claim in the lawsuit under review by the council. Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa, with the Prosecutor of the Council, and the Villa de Autol, and in revolt with Doña Juana de la Mota, wrote a proposed memorandum on the reversion to the crown of the said Villa de Autol, its jurisdiction, lordship, and vassalage.^[27][28]

Among the 20 council members repeatedly elected in Pamplona, Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano, Viscount of Azpa was particularly notable, serving 8 times as a councilor and 12 times as a mayor of the borough of San Cernin.^[21]

A legal dispute was initiated on 23 May 1748 by Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Puelles, Viscount of Azpa and Lord of Autol (La Rioja), residing in Pamplona, against the Autol council. The case pertains to the enforcement and collection of rights over the produce obtained from the mountain named Segrero.^[29]

The Palace of Ripalda was Listed as a fortified house in the kingdom's official register and as an exempt estate from quarters since 1513. The exemption was confirmed in 1621, with Luis de Ripalda and his son and heir, also named Luis, as owners. In 1723, the count of Ripalda, a title created for Esteban Joaquín de Ripalda, was listed as the owner. In 1745, Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano requested a rebate in the manner enjoyed by his predecessor. According to the Armory Book, the coat of arms was gold with three red bars and two blue fleurs-de-lis, one arising from the first bar and another from the second. These arms were used by the palace in the 16th century.^[30]

Don José Joaquín Vélaz de Medrano y Gante (d. 1826),^[2] became the 7th Viscount of Azpa, 21st Lord of Autol and Yerga, 13th Lord of Quel de Suso, 13th Lord of Ordoyo, 14th Lord of Fontellas and of the Towns and Palaces of Mendillorri and Beúnzalarrea, the town of Amaláin, Lavaiz and Villanueva, and of the palaces and mayorazgos of Liédena, Aioz amd Ripalda.^[26]

He became a Knight of the Order of Saint John of Jerusalem and was granted the title of 1st Marquess of Fontellas, 1st Viscount of Amaláin.^[26]

On November 11, 1980, the Undersecretary's office issued a resolution announcing that José Velaz de Medrano y Echevarría had applied for the succession to the title of Viscount of Azpa. This application was made in accordance with Article 10 of the Royal Decree 602/1980 dated March 21, 1980. The vacancy arose following the death of Joaquín Velaz de Medrano y Alava. The announcement stated that there would be a thirty-day period from the date of publication for any claims or applications related to the title, in line with the Royal Decree of May 27, 1912. This was to ensure that those who believe they have a right to the title could present their case. The notice was signed by the Undersecretary, Arturo Romani Biescas, in Madrid.^[6][7]