Madrid: an historical description and handbook of the Spanish capitalCalvert, Albert Frederick
History
Madrid: an historical description and handbook of the Spanish capital
Calvert, Albert Frederick
Art -- Spain -- Madrid; Madrid (Spain) -- Description and travel
It was in the reign of Philip III. that the first part of Cervantes’
“Don Quixote” was printed in a house in the Calle de Atocha, by Juan de
la Cuesta, and the great satire was published in 1605. Philip III.
removed the Court to Valladolid, where it was maintained for about four
years and then reinstated at Madrid. During the rule of Philip, the
Plaza Mayor was built.
The reign of his successor was inaugurated by the public execution of
the unfortunate Calderon, whose fall has been the theme of many
romances.
The marriage of the Infanta Maria, sister of Philip IV., to Charles of
England was arranged to be celebrated in Madrid, in March 1623. Charles
stayed in the Convent of San Jeronimo, and afterwards at the Royal
Palace, where he remained for five months, and was entertained with
bull-fights, _fêtes_, and balls. The English prince was, however,
prevented from marrying the Princess Maria through hindrances of a
political nature.
Philip IV. built the Palace of the Buen Retiro at Madrid, inspired by
the example of Fontainebleau. In this new royal residence many balls
were held, and much money expended upon festivities of a very luxurious
character. Meantime, the scaffolds of Madrid flowed with noble blood, as
a result of the abortive conspiracy to place the House of Braganza on
the throne of Spain and the Duke of Medina Sidonia on that of Andalusia.
Madrid suffered from the general distress which spread over Spain at
this period. In the surrounding villages the people were at the point of
starvation, and the food supply in the city was seriously threatened.
The outlook was so menacing that, in 1664, the President of Castile was
sent with a military force to compel the farmers to send their produce
to Madrid. In 1680 there was much destitution and suffering in the city,
and the people rose and formed bands for the purpose of pillage. Beggars
swarmed in Madrid, and desperate gangs of robbers prowled in the
surrounding country.
The change from the Austrian to the Bourbon rule proved the salvation of
Madrid. Charles III. was an enlightened sovereign, honest in his
convictions, and vigorous in his measures of reform. He improved the
army, and raised the position of Spain to a first-rate power. His policy
in regard to the American colonies was liberal and conciliatory. Charles
repealed unjust taxes, stood champion to the poor man, and advocated
humane principles of government. He encouraged the sciences, art, and
letters of Spain, he protected the press, and gave printers immunity
from military service. During the rule of Charles III. schools and
colleges were founded. He improved and adorned Madrid, though at one
time he entertained the idea of transferring the seat of government to
Seville; and caused parks and promenades to be laid out. Under the
direction of this monarch, canals were constructed, roads made, waste
lands reclaimed, and industries stimulated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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