Catalina de Medrano
Catalina de Medrano was a wealthy noblewoman from the House of Medrano, a supplier of fine cloth for the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, a businesswoman, the widow of the Lieutenant Governor of Havana, Pedro Barba, and the wife of the famous maritime explorer Sebastian Cabot.
Early life
Catalina de Medrano was born at the transition between the medieval and early modern era in the Kingdom of Castile into the distinguished Medrano family, renowned for its influence in commerce, exploration, and nobility. She was born during the reign of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain and later became an active businesswoman during the reign of Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. While little is known about her exact birth date or early childhood, she was likely raised in Seville, a major hub of maritime trade during the Age of Exploration.The Medrano family played a vital role in Spain's economic and political networks, and contributed to the expansion of Spain's Atlantic colonies. In the absence of her male relatives, Catalina de Medrano managed both the household and business affairs. Her father, Martine de Medrano, along with his son of the same name, oversaw the family's lucrative rope trading business from the island of San Juan, further cementing their importance in transatlantic commerce. Members of the Medrano family occupied interlocking roles across extraction, logistics, fleet command, and noble administration within the Casa de la Contratación and Carrera de Indias systems. Their commercial roles enabled political, legal, and noble continuity across the empire.
Family
Catalina de Medrano’s father, Martine de Medrano, played a significant role in supplying goods to the Spanish royal court during the late 15th century. He was primarily involved in the trade of luxury items. One notable transaction occurred in 1495 when Martine de Medrano supplied fine Moorish spurs to Queen Isabella I, which were purchased as a gift for King Ferdinand II. The spurs, valued at 53 ducats, were highly decorative and demonstrated professional craftsmanship and luxury provided by the Medrano family.In addition to luxury items, Martine also dealt in horses and weapons, essential supplies for the monarchy’s military efforts and ceremonial purposes. Martine's trade extended beyond individual transactions. As a prominent merchant, he likely facilitated the acquisition and transport of goods through Seville, which was a major port and commercial center. This involvement positioned the Medrano family as key suppliers of the royal court, contributing to their economic prominence and allowing Catalina de Medrano to later inherit and manage significant family resources. The Medrano family's reputation for delivering goods of exceptional quality would have helped establish trust and ongoing contracts with the monarchy, a crucial factor in their continued success.
Siblings
Catalina de Medrano had several siblings who were also well-connected in Seville's influential trade, exploration, and political circles during the Age of Exploration. The following siblings are notable:- Elvira de Rojas: Elvira was married to Hernán Gutiérrez, a resident of Santo Domingo in the Caribbean. Catalina's sister Elvira may have used her mother’s surname, suggesting that their mother belonged to the noble House of Rojas.
- Unnamed sister, married into the Peraza Family: Her sister lived in the parish of Santa María Magdalena, where Cabot lived. The influential Peraza family played a key role in the colonization of the Canary Islands. It is unclear whether her brother-in-law was Alonso Peraza, who perished during Cabot's exploration of the Rio de la Plata, or Guillén Peraza de Ayala y Rojas.
- Martine de Medrano: Catalina’s brother, Martine, managed the family’s rope trading business from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Rope was a critical commodity for maritime trade and increased the Medrano family's prominence in the Atlantic trade network.
Supplying the royal court of Castile
Catalina, operating in a key trade hub, coordinated with suppliers to fulfill royal household obligations. She received 72 ducats annually, totaling at least 360 ducats for her work. Her ability to navigate trade networks was crucial for the Spanish monarchy. While records do not always specify fabric types, they were likely silk and wool, commonly used by the monarchy and nobility. In 1502 and 1503, she supplied 12.5 rods of fine cloth multiple times.
Silk was a preferred textile for its association with wealth and status, and it featured prominently in royal attire. Catalina’s role would have required her to source, manage, and deliver these materials according to the royal household’s standards. Payments for the cloth came through the royal treasurer, Gonzalo de Baeza.
There are records in 1496 which details Catalina de Medrano providing Juan Laherremendi with four she-mules, receiving 1.5 ducats as payment from the court.
The family's tradition continued during the reign of Ferdinand VI. Nicolás de Medrano played a key role in continuing the textile manufacturing tradition established by Severino de Medrano in Toledo. Their workshop specialized in crafting liturgical ornaments woven as a single piece, integrating decorative braids and linings that were meticulously hand-sewn. Each piece was signed and dated beneath the hood of pluvial capes. The Medrano family's workshop remained active for much of the 19th century. Severino de Medrano's workshop wove produced highly decorative pieces featuring intricate floral motifs, vases, and undulating vegetation with intricate patterns. This distinctive style was reminiscent of Italian, French, and Oriental textile traditions.
Marriages
Pedro Barba
In the first decade of the 16th century, Catalina de Medrano married Pedro Barba, the nephew of Amerigo Vespucci. Barba’s mother, Catalina Cerezo, was the sister of María Cerezo, the widow of Vespucci and daughter of Gonzalo Fernández de Córdoba, who is regarded as one of the greatest generals in history. The conquistador Pedro Barba died in combat during the conquest of Tenochtitlán, leaving Catalina de Medrano as a widow.Children
Together, Catalina and Pedro had a daughter named Catalina Barba y Medrano, born in 1508 and deceased in 1533.Conquest of Tenochtitlán
Pedro Barba was a Spanish conquistador who participated in the conquest of Tenochtitlán. He initially settled in Cuba, where he gained wealth and social standing, serving as Diego Velázquez’s lieutenant in Havana. Despite Velázquez’s trust, he maintained a strong friendship with Hernán Cortés, hosting him in 1518 and supplying his army with 500 rations of bread. In 1520, Velázquez sent Barba to Veracruz with orders to arrest Cortés and return him to Castile, unaware that Pánfilo de Narváez had already been defeated.Upon arrival, Cortés’ forces tricked and captured him, but soon persuaded him to join their ranks. Cortés, pleased by their friendship and Barba’s 13 soldiers and two horses, entrusted him with commanding one of the 13 brigantines used in Tenochtitlán’s siege. According to Cervantes de Salazar, Barba died in combat, likely in June 1521.
Catalina de Medrano remained unaware of her husband's death for months. While reports of Tenochtitlan’s fall reached Spain in 1521, it wasn’t until 1523 that Seville printer Jacob Cromberger published Cortés’s letters fully detailing the events.
Sebastian Cabot
Catalina de Medrano, a widow, remarried in Spain to Sebastian Cabot, son of John Cabot, in 1523. Various official documents dated 25 August 1525, confirm their marriage. Cabot had been acquainted with Medrano since at least October 1519, when he issued a dowry letter for her sister, Elvira de Rojas, and brother-in-law, Hernán Gutiérrez. Witnesses in the lawsuits following Cabot's return to Spain in 1530 testified that his wife was a 'domineering' woman who handled his affairs. The reference to "sons" of Catalina de Medrano, found in one document only, of 1525, may be merely an official formalism.Cabot and Medrano’s marriage likely facilitated an exchange of information. While details of Vespucci’s voyages had become outdated and Cabot had access to essential knowledge through his role at the Casa de Barba, he may have acquired Vespucci’s maps and notes, previously given to Pedro Barba, through his connection with Medrano. Catalina de Medrano managed family and business affairs but lacked rights to assets after her husband's death. Medrano's understanding of commerce and her trusted marriage to Cabot provided stability. While her contributions remain uncertain, Spanish exploration relied on knowledge from previous voyages.