Podcast Summary – "Acontece que no es poco"

Episode: 13 de marzo de 1814: Fernando VII comienza el regreso a España
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: March 13, 2023
Podcast: Todo Concostrina (SER Podcast)

Overview

In this history-packed episode, Nieves Concostrina uses her signature sharp wit and irreverence to revisit a pivotal moment: the return of Fernando VII to Spain in March 1814, following his captivity in France. The episode explores the political machinations, betrayals, and crowd manipulation that enabled Fernando VII to overthrow the Spanish Constitution of 1812, marking the beginning of a decade of absolute monarchy, brutal repression, and the restoration of the Inquisition.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Talk About Fernando VII Again?

[01:20]

• The week marks the anniversary of Fernando VII’s departure from his captivity, after Napoleon allowed him to return to Spain.
• Nieves points out that despite the supposed urgency to “recover his throne,” Fernando waited a week before crossing the border—calculating how to best subvert the constitutional government waiting for him.

2. Political Context: Spain's Constitutional Order

[02:30–03:50]

• Spain had a progressive Constitution (1812) and an elected Cortes (parliament), with splits between liberals, conservatives, and saboteurs "infiltrados" waiting to bring down the system from within.
• The government sought reassurances:
  • Fernando VII was to pledge fealty to the Constitution before reclaiming kingship.
  • The Borbones, per Nieves, were never to be trusted to keep such promises:

    "Por mucho que juren, siempre te la van a volver a jugar. Siempre." [04:07]

3. The Plans and Counterplans for Return

[04:37–06:00]

• The Council of Regency (Constitutional Government) demanded Fernando follow a set procedure, notably to swear the Constitution upon entry.
• Deep distrust existed—a faction wanted him to return merely as prince until he swore the oath. But “infiltrators” inside the Cortes pushed for unconditional restoration.

4. Reactionary Forces & Rifts in Parliament

[06:02–07:00]

• Deputy Juan López Reina (Seville) called for Fernando’s immediate, absolute sovereignty, ignoring constitutional process (“El señor don Fernando nació con un derecho a la absoluta soberanía de la nación Española…”).
• The Chamber reacted by expelling and seeking to arrest him, a clear illustration of tensions.

5. Fernando’s Calculations & Popular Reception

[07:01–08:20]

• Fernando delayed his departure, tallying supporters for a coup.
• Once on Spanish soil, popular and institutional adulation met him—in a now-legendary scene depicted in Miguel Parra’s painting, Zaragoza citizens literally pulled his carriage into the city (April 6, 1814).
• Instead of following the government’s route (coastal, to Valencia), Fernando took a detour to Zaragoza, blatantly disregarding the imposed roadmap, signaling his intent to ignore constitutional requirements.

6. Missed Warnings and Collapse of the Constitutional Project

[08:41–10:31]

• Constitutionalists tolerated clear signs of betrayal, believing good faith would prevail.
• In Valencia, instead of swearing the Constitution, Fernando signed its repeal—a decisive act that led to the effective burial of the 1812 Constitution:

  "En Valencia se puso otro clavo en el ataúd de la Constitución." [09:57]

7. The Coup and Its Aftermath

[10:31–13:12]

• As Fernando solidified power, repression followed:
  • Liberal ministers arrested, some executed, and tens of thousands of “afrancesados” (pro-French sympathizers) exiled.
  • Public executions became common; when hangings were deemed too gruesome, mass shootings were used.
  • Reactionary clerics justified mass killings, as in the words of Dominican Francisco de Alvarado:

    "Matar a los liberales, la peste de España, era benéfico y misericordioso." [11:36]

8. Historical Framing: Was It a Coup d’État?

[13:12–14:43]

• Nieves clarifies:

  "Sí, así lo consideran los historiadores, sí, sí, eso fue un golpe de Estado, derribó el gobierno constitucional y además tiene una fecha concreta en el calendario, el 5 de mayo de 1814…" [13:14]

• Fernando’s supporters organized urban riots to mimic spontaneous popular uprisings—what Nieves calls a “red de montapollos”—undermining the Constitution and promoting absolutism under a false pretense of popular will.
• She promises to return to the topic, aiming to debunk myths like the “spontaneity” of the 2 de mayo uprising in Madrid, labeling much of the traditional narrative a "gran mentira".

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Fernando VII’s Return and Calculations:

  “Estaba calculando los apoyos con los que contaba para reventarlo todo.” [02:15]

• On Trusting the Borbones:

  “Por mucho que juren, siempre te la van a volver a jugar. Siempre.” [04:07]

• On Parliamentary Absurdity:

  “La Cámara entendió que este tío se había metido algo y de hecho fue expulsado inmediatamente de la Cámara…” [06:14]

• On Popular Adulation and Manipulation:

  “Impresionante cómo recibieron al Borbón más tuerzo en toda Cataluña… Viva el rey. Viva el absolutismo.” [07:32]

• Sarcasm about Spanish History:

  “En este país se vive en un permanente estado de desconcierto con los Borbones o en un permanente estado de gilipollez catatónica que también sirve, no lo sé.” [10:43]

• On the Bloodshed That Followed:

  “En todas las principales capitales había ahorcados casi todos los días… Optaron por los fusilamientos que eran más rápidos y se mataban a varios a la vez.” [12:02]

• On the Reality of the Coup:

  “Eso fue un golpe de Estado, derribó el gobierno constitucional…” [13:14]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [01:40] Origins of the episode & rationale for returning to Fernando VII
• [03:00] Political context and sabotage within the Cortes
• [04:37] Governmental attempts to set boundaries for Fernando’s return
• [06:02] Reactionary parliamentary outbursts and their consequences
• [07:10] Mass reception and symbolic acts in Zaragoza
• [08:53] Analysis of how authorities missed the warning signs
• [10:31] Immediate political repression after Fernando’s return
• [13:12] Historical verdict: the 1814 coup explained

Tone & Style

Nieves Concostrina’s narration is laced with sarcasm, sharp criticism, and humor (“el mastuerzo”, “rey tarugo”, “gilipollez catatónica”), providing both an educational and engaging take on history. Her analogies and memorable put-downs punctuate the story, making historical details accessible and vivid for listeners.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone eager to understand the intricate and often tragicomic workings of early 19th-century Spanish politics—where betrayal, manipulation, and ignorance led to the abrupt end of Spain’s first constitutional experiment.