«For the amusement of Godoy and the Queen …»: On the virtue of Queen Marie Louise and the legitimacy of Charles IV of Spain

Authors

  • Antonio Juan Calvo Maturana Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Keywords:

Marie Louise of Parme, Charles IV, Manuel Godoy, Ferdinand VII, French Revolution, Ferdinand’s party, the image of the monarchy, public opinion, opposition, XVIII-XIX centuries

Abstract

This essay studies four aspects of the tarnished reputation of Marie Louise of Parme, Queen of Spain. Firstly, it identifies the causes of the deterioration of her public image, namely long-term historical processes, the particular political circumstances of Charles IV’s reign, and the personal way in which Marie Louise performed her role as consort. Secondly, it analyses the misogynist tone of the attacks levelled against her, taking into account the evident French influences but also highlighting the Spanish historical precedents (previous Queen-consorts of Spain had often been lampooned by the enemies of the King). Thirdly, this article uses a wide variety of unpublished or little-known sources in order to gain an overview of the criticisms of Marie Louise during her husband’s reign. Finally, it considers the effects of these rumours and satires on the legitimacy of both the King and the Absolutist System. 

Author Biography

Antonio Juan Calvo Maturana, Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Licenciado en Historia por la Universidad de Granada (2002) y doctor en Historia Moderna por la Universidad Complutense (2009). Invstigador Juan de la Cierva en el Departamento de Humanidades Contemporáneas de la Universidad de Alicante (2009-2012).

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Published

2015-10-01

Issue

No. 31 (2014): January-June

Section

MONOGRAPHS

License

Copyright (c) 2016 Antonio Juan Calvo Maturana

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