The Revolt of the Spanish and the Expedition to Sweden

Abstract

For some years before the spring of 1808, Spain had been governed by a trinity, though not a holy one, consisting of Carlos IV, his Queen, Maria Luisa, and Manuel de Godoy. The King was passionately fond of hunting and left the tiresome business of government to Godoy who was easily the most important member of the trinity. The scion of an ancient family of Estremadura, Godoy had enlisted in the King’s bodyguard. He was virile, good natured, and despite assertions to the contrary, not unintelligent. He was also handsome, and Queen Maria Luisa plucked him from the ranks for her lover. By 1792, he had performed the feat of becoming not only the very special friend of the Queen, but the trusted prime minister of the King. He declared war on revolutionary France, but was defeated. The King, unable to honor Godoy for winning the war conferred on him the title of Prince of the Peace when he lost it. Under Godoy, government in Spain took a sad bad turn as it so often has in that country.