Raising Heirs to the Throne in Nineteenth-Century Spain: The Education of the Constitutional Monarch (Palgrave Studies in Modern Monarchy)

This book analyses royal education in nineteenth-century, constitutional Spain. Its main subjects are Isabel II (1830- 1904), Alfonso XII (1857-1885) and Alfonso XIII (1886-1941) during their time as monarchs-in-waiting. Their upbringing was considered an opportunity to shape the future of Spain, reflected the political struggles that emerged during the construction of a liberal state, and allowed for the modernisation of the monarchy. The education of heirs to the throne was taken seriously by contemporaries and assumed wider political, social and cultural significance. This volume is structured around three powerful groups which showed an active interest, influenced, and significantly shaped royal education: the court, the military, and the public. It throws new light on the position of the Spanish monarchy in the constitutional state, its ability to adapt to social, political, and cultural change, and its varied sources of legitimacy, power, and attraction. Preface Acknowledgements Contents Abbreviations/Archives Consulted List of Figures Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1 The Importance of Royal Education 1.2 Royal Education in Its Historical Context 1.3 The Monarchy in Nineteenth-Century Spain 1.4 Politics, Cortes, and Constitutions in Nineteenth-Century Spain 1.5 Spanish Political Culture and Education 1.6 The Court, the Military, and the Public References Chapter 2 Teachers and Courtiers 2.1 Isabel II 2.1.1 The Organisation of Teaching at Court 2.1.2 The Espartero Regency and Progressive Change 2.1.3 The Politics of Infighting at Court 2.1.4 Espartero’s Downfall and Isabel II’s Early Majority 2.2 Alfonso XII 2.2.1 Alfonso’s Education and Dynastic Stability 2.2.2 Exile as Challenge and Opportunity 2.2.3 In Search of an Education Appropriate for a Spanish King (1870–1873) 2.2.4 Preparing Alfonso for Constitutional Rule (1873–1874) 2.3 Alfonso XIII 2.3.1 The Restoration’s Legal Framework and Alfonso XIII’s Education (1885–1892) 2.3.2 The Selection of Educators for the Young King (1893–1898) 2.3.3 Regeneration and the King’s Impending Majority (1898–1902) 2.3.4 Educating a Ruling Monarch (1902–1905) 2.4 Conclusion References Chapter 3 Officers and Educators 3.1 Isabel II 3.1.1 Defending the Female Succession 3.1.2 The General, the Innocent Queen, and a Kidnapping Attempt 3.1.3 Gender and the Limits of Military Education 3.2 Alfonso XII 3.2.1 The Early Makings of a Soldier-King 3.2.2 Winning the Armed Forces’ Trust and Affection 3.2.3 Controlling the Armed Forces 3.3 Alfonso XIII 3.3.1 Civil Control, Militarism, and the Example of Alfonso XII 3.3.2 A Soldier-King’s Education 3.3.3 ‘Más Se Perdió En Cuba’: The King, the Military, and Regenerationism 3.4 Conclusion References Chapter 4 The Public Sphere and Royal Education 4.1 Hope 4.1.1 Isabel II—A Virtuous, Liberal, Constitutional Queen 4.1.2 Alfonso XII: Glory, Progress, and Peace 4.1.3 Alfonso XIII—Political, Economic, and Military Regeneration 4.2 Fear 4.2.1 Isabel II—Progressive Overreach and the Disregard of Tradition 4.2.2 Alfonso XII—An Excessive Emphasis on Military Education 4.2.3 Alfonso XIII—A Reactionary, Militaristic Monarch 4.3 National Identity 4.3.1 Isabel II—Overcoming the Nation’s Backwardness 4.3.2 Alfonso XII—A Vigorous Military, Masculine, and Catholic Heir 4.3.3 Alfonso XIII—The Search for a Lost Glory 4.4 Conclusion References Chapter 5 Conclusion 5.1 The Continued Relevance of the Monarchy 5.2 The Monarchy Between Modernity, Backwardness, and Militarism 5.3 Continuity and Change 5.4 The Influence of Education on the Monarch References Appendix Bibliography Index