The secret history of the court of Spain during the last century — John Shaqi
The secret history of the court of Spain during the last centuryChallice, Rachel
History
The secret history of the court of Spain during the last century
Challice, Rachel
Spain -- Court and courtiers; Spain -- History -- Bourbons, 1700-
Moreover, the Duke of San Carlos, spoken of by Maria Luisa in her
correspondence as the falsest of all, was made chief Mayordomo of
the palace. In fact, all who had played any part in the Escorial
affair were exalted, whereas those who had pleased Godoy by their
capacities or virtues were proscribed and persecuted. Among these were
the Duke of Almodovar, brother of the Prince de la Paz, Viguri the
Intendant, Norrega the Treasurer, Marquina the Corregidor of Madrid,
the littérateur Escala, and the Fiscal Viegas, who had demanded penal
punishment for criminals in the Escorial matter. The property of all
the above-mentioned men was confiscated, and Godoy himself was taken
from Aranjuez to the Castle of Villaviciosa.
The government was practically in the hands of the Dukes of Infantado
and San Carlos and the Councillor Escoiquiz. The opinions and character
of the latter are well known. He was utterly disingenuous, and he was
expert in the science of intrigue, which had played such a part in
the antechamber of the palace. But for really ruling the affairs of
a kingdom he was quite incompetent, and was only conspicuous for his
want of knowledge and his mean spirit. Apart from his artifice in
conspiracies, the character of this Archdeacon of Alcaraz was seen in
the pamphlet he published in defence of the Inquisition. San Carlos
shamefully maligned Maria Luisa and the Prince de la Paz, albeit he was
proud of being related to the favourite. Infantado was destitute of any
consistency in government except when it savoured of persecution and
oppression.
The three statesmen were united in one desire, and that was the
marriage of Ferdinand with one of the Bonaparte family; and they all
shared the people’s joy at the entrance of Murat, Grand Duke of Berg,
in Madrid on March 23. The townsfolk were mad with delight, for they
regarded the French as supporters of their idol Ferdinand, and sharers
of their joy in the state entry of the young King into the capital.
The function was indeed a brilliant sight, and the Sovereign, crowned
with the rich diadem of the two worlds, roused so much enthusiasm that
it took him six hours to pass from the Gate of Atocha to the palace.
The roar of the cannon, the peal of the bells, the clamour of the
cheers, were indeed deafening, and the men laid down their cloaks for
the King to pass over, and the women waved their pocket-handkerchiefs.
The Grand Duke of Berg unfortunately gave rein to his pride, and
wounded the Spaniards in their tenderest sensibility by sending French
troops to line part of the route of the royal entry, leaving his
house in the Buen Retiro for that of the Prince de la Paz, and taking
possession of the Casa de Campo.
Napoleon himself regretted this conduct, and we find him saying in the
“Memorial of St. Helena,” published in 1826:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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