Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte
Fernando Vélaz de Medrano | |
|---|---|
| 4th Marquess of Tabuérniga, 6th Marquess of Fuente el Sol, 14th Marquess of Cañete, 8th Marquess of Navamorcuende, Grandee of Spain, 15th Lord of Montalbo, Knight of the Order of Malta | |
Coat of arms of the Vélaz de Medrano family | |
| Spanish Marquess | |
| Predecessor | Jaime Vélaz de Medrano & Agustín Domingo de Bracamonte Dávila y Villalón |
| Full name | Fernando Agustín Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte y Dávila |
| Other titles | The Most Excellent Lord |
| Born | Fernando Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte 23 December 1742 London, England |
| Baptised | 2 November 1749 Ávila, Spain |
| Died | 22 November 1791 (aged 48) Near the Cape of Good Hope |
| Noble family | House of Medrano |
| Partner | Luisa Cuenca (unofficial union) |
| Children | Two sons and one daughter (illegitimate) |
| Father | Jaime Vélaz de Medrano y Barros, III Marquess of Tabuérniga |
| Mother | Petronila de Bracamonte y Villalón |
| Occupation | Nobleman, military officer, courtier, Spanish royal guard |
Fernando Agustín Vélaz de Medrano y Bracamonte y Dávila (23 December 1742, London, England – 22 November 1791, near the Cape of Good Hope) was a Spanish aristocrat, military officer, and Knight of the Order of Malta. He held several noble titles, including 4th Marquess of Tabuérniga, 14th Marquess of Cañete, 6th Marquess of Fuente el Sol, 8th Marquess of Navamorcuende, 15th Lord of Montalbo, and twice a Grandee of Spain.
Vélaz de Medrano is best remembered for his close friendship with the writer José Cadalso. In his military career, he played a notable role in the Seven Years' War, particularly during the siege of Almeida in 1762. He later served in the Spanish Royal Guard and worked as Aide-de-camp to both Governor Pedro de Cevallos and Viceroy Juan José de Vértiz y Salcedo, becoming a trusted confidant to both.
In 1780, Vélaz de Medrano supported Vértiz in maintaining Spanish colonial authority in South America during the Túpac Amaru II Rebellion. During this period, he corresponded with the Prince of Asturias, the future Charles IV of Spain, providing detailed accounts of the rebellion and condemning widespread corruption among royal officials, particularly regarding the administration of tobacco and playing card monopolies established by Minister José de Gálvez. His outspoken criticism of these abuses resulted in his exile by Gálvez in 1781 to Manila, in the Philippines, where he remained until receiving a royal pardon in 1791.