Las relaciones entre la Corona y la aristocracia española durante el reinado de Carlos IV: el caso del XIII duque del Infantado (1791-1808)

Abstract

This article examines the political role played by the Duke of Infantado (Madrid, 1768-1841) from 1804 to March of 1808 as member of the court faction called Ferdinand's party. The main argument is that this aristocrat followed a double objective until the crisis of the Old Regime. On the one hand, he wanted to contain the reformist measures taken by the Crown. On the other hand, Infantado tried the fall of the new figure of the Generalissimo and Grand Admiral: Emmanuel Godoy, whose creation had contributed to the reinforcement of the absolute monarchy. In defending the idea of moderate and traditional monarchy, he pursued not only limiting the increasingly “despotic power” of the monarchy, but also safeguarding the social power and interests of his House. This hostile attitude against the political measures of Charles IV was taken by the great majority of the ancient aristocratic families. We will pay special attention to his role in the conspiracy of the Escurial, and to his conduct as member of the first government of Ferdinand VII.