Juan Bautista Orendayn y Azpilcueta

Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta, 1st Marquess of the Peace (16 October 1683 in Segura, Gipuzkoa – 21 October 1734 in Madrid), was a Spanish politician who served as prime minister in 1724 and between 1726 and 1734.

Biography Born in the province of Gipuzkoa, he moved to Yepes and later Madrid after his marriage with Hipólita Casado Busto. Here he became the protégé of prime minister José de Grimaldo and was introduced to the Royal Court.

When King Philip V of Spain abdicated from the throne in favor of his son Louis, José de Grimaldo also stood down as prime minister (First Secretary of State or Secretary of State and of the Dispatch of State) and Orendáin succeeded him. But when King Louis died from smallpox just seven months later, Philip V was forced to return to the Spanish throne. José de Grimaldo followed in his footsteps and replaced Orendáin as prime minister. Orendaín became Secretary of State of the Treasury.

The next year, together with Juan Guillermo Ripperdá, he was sent to Vienna where he negotiated the Treaty of Vienna (1725) with the former enemy. This treaty opened perspectives to regain former Spanish possessions in Italy. At their return, Ripperdá was made a Duke and also replaced Grimaldo, who favoured a treaty with Great Britain. Orendáin received the title of Marqués de la Paz (Marquess of Peace).

In October 1726 Orendáin became prime minister for the second time and he supported the aggressive foreign policy of Elisabeth Farnese, the Queen Consort, to regain former Spanish possessions in Italy.

He stayed in office until his death, aged 55, on 21 October 1734.