Azkoitia’s challenge

In July 1456, in an act that perfectly defines the feudal nobility’s concept of honour, justice and force, the Parientes Mayores publicly challenged the leaders of the villas and the heads of the big families who were part of the new urban order.

The challenge was nailed to the city gates of Azkoitia. It was a challenge to a duel to show who was superior and to fight over the growing power of the villas in the provincial community. The factions set aside their differences and made common cause against what they saw as the great enemy of their way of life, which was based on the land, blood and tradition.

Juan López de Lazkano, Lord of Lazkano and Arana, Martín Ruiz de Ganboa, Lord of Olaso, Ladrón of Balda, Lord of Balda, and a long list of others involved in a complex network of loyalties, challenged and called upon one by one the residents of Miranda de Iraurgi (Azkoitia), Salvatierra de Iraurgi (Azpeitia), Monreal de Deba, Mutriku, Getaria, Tolosa, Ordizia and Segura, to arm themselves and settle their differences in a duel.

Enrique V of Castille became directly involved in the issue and wanted the villas to punish the bellicose lords. They were exiled to Andalusia, on the border with the kingdom of Granada, where they had an opportunity to show their valour under arms fighting the Moors, instead of damaging the interests of the Crown, which were tied up with the economic development of Gipuzkoa.  On the other hand, their defensive manor houses were pollarded, that is to say, stripped of their military characteristics. In 1460, their exile was lifted and they were allowed to return to the Province. Although they retained their economic, military and social power, they were no longer a threat to the new order which consisted, in practical terms, of the old family lineages joining forces with the new urban elites.