Podcast Summary

Podcast: Todo Concostrina — "Acontece que no es poco | Carletto, el infante que llegó a inesperado rey… dos veces"

Host: Nieves Concostrina (with Marta)
Date: July 3, 2024
Source: SER Podcast

Overview

In this episode, Nieves Concostrina takes her trademark witty, irreverent, and insightful approach to recount the story of Carlos III of Spain—known affectionately as "Carleto"—who, despite being born an infante without right of succession, ended up being crowned king not once but twice: first in Naples and Sicily, and later as King of Spain. Through a mix of historical narrative, family intrigue, and memorable anecdotes, Concostrina dismantles both the myths surrounding Carlos III and the popular belief that he was Spain’s best monarch, positioning his unexpected rise as largely a tale of dynastic chess moves, a determined mother (Isabel de Farnesio), and the turbulent politics of 18th-century Europe.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Myth of Carlos III as "Spain’s Best King"

• Debunking the Legend (01:08)
  • Concostrina questions the popular belief that Carlos III was Spain’s greatest king and instead describes him as “el menos malo” among a series of poor Bourbon rulers.
    • Quote:

      "En el país de los ciegos, lógicamente el tuerto es el rey... fue el que menos patas metió, pero bueno, metió unas cuantas." (A, 01:08)

2. "Carleto": From Last in Line to Double Kingship

• Family Background & Dynastic Fates (03:08–06:41)
  • Nieves explains the complex Bourbon lineage, emphasizing how Carleto, the son of Felipe V’s second wife, had no expectations to inherit anything. His older half-siblings from Felipe’s first marriage were first in line.
  • The untimely deaths of his older brothers Luisito and Felipito paved the way for Carleto to move up in succession.
  • Quote:

    "Cuando Carleto llegó al mundo, tenía por delante a Luisito, a Felipito y a Fernandito, aparentemente todos sanos." (A, 03:44)

  • His mother, Isabel de Farnesio, is portrayed as a powerful force behind his improbable rise.
    • Quote:

      "...tienes que tener una madre de armas tomar, resolutiva, una madre que dice '¿cómo que mi niño va a ser el último de la fila?'" (A, 01:55)

3. The Carambolas of Destiny: Carleto’s Path through Italy

• From Parma & Tuscany to Naples & Sicily (04:50–08:59)
  • At 15, through a family connection, Carleto unexpectedly inherits the Duchy of Parma—"una especie de Erasmus" for him—and later the Duchy of Tuscany, setting the stage for larger ambitions.
  • The death of the King of Poland set off a war of succession, which in turn created an opportunity for the Bourbon family to maneuver Carleto into more significant roles.
  • Nieves underscores the roles chance and strategic family machinations played in his ascension, especially by leveraging chaotic European politics, with Spain and France’s support.
• Illustrative Anecdote:
  • The “tómbola de luz y de color” motif humorously captures the randomness and fortune involved in royal succession.
    • Quote:

      "La vida es una tómbola. Tómbola de luz y de color..." (A, 06:38)

4. The Strategic Seizure of Naples and Sicily

• A Timely Invasion Supported by Mom (09:05–10:33)
  • Taking advantage of European wars, particularly the War of Polish Succession, Carleto—with strong support from his mother and Spanish troops—successfully seizes Naples and Sicily from the Austrians and the House of Savoy.
  • The Neapolitans and Sicilians, tired of absentee rulers, enthusiastically welcome him as their king, leading to his coronation in Palermo.

5. Reigning Experience and Legacy

• Carleto Comes to Spain (12:17–13:05)
  • After 25 years ruling Naples and Sicily, Carleto is summoned to the throne of Spain, bringing with him significant experience.
  • His legacy is portrayed as mixed: while he brought some improvements, his descendants quickly squashed any notion of Bourbon greatness.
  • Memorable Conclusion:

    "...meter la ilustración debajo de la boina hispana, eso iba a costar lo suyo. Eso sí, a los sicilianos y napolitanos les dejó el reino niquelao. La mala noticia es que luego Carlos III nos dejó al tolay de su hijo. Llegó después el mastuerzo, su nieto, después las dos corruptas, el mocoso, el playboy, el delincuente y otro al que llaman el preparado." (A, 12:25)

6. The Borbones Mnemonic

• Remembering Spanish Bourbons by Nicknames (13:00)
  • Nieves advocates for a mnemonic system using colorful adjectives to remember the order and reputation of Bourbon kings rather than rote memorization.
  • Quote:

    "Con la regla mnemotécnica calificativa es muy fácil aprenderse la lista de los Borbones." (A, 13:00)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Carlos III’s Reputation:

  "No leí un libro en su vida, pero vale…" (A, 01:19)

• On Royal Downtime:

  "...el hombre estaba desatado, pero desatado, desatado. Había que hacer algo para satisfacer la masculinidad del monarca, que es que andaba nervioso perdido…" (A, 03:30)

• Succinct Summary of War Opportunism:

  "A río revuelto, ganancia de pescadores." (B, 08:59)

• Dramatic Resumé:

  "El infante que nació sin herencia, Carleto, entró en la catedral de Palermo para ser coronado como Carlos VII, rey de Nápoles y Carlos V, rey de Sicilia. Fíjate tú, sorpresas te da la vida." (A, 11:34)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:08] — Demolishing the legend of Carlos III
• [03:08–04:47] — The Bourbon family web and Carleto’s positioning
• [06:38] — On fortune and the “tómbola” of royal luck
• [08:59–09:05] — European wars create opportunities
• [11:02] — Coronation in Palermo: The unexpected king
• [12:17–13:05] — Carleto's legacy and mnemotechnics for the Bourbons

Final Thoughts

With humor, irreverence, and historical rigor, Nieves Concostrina untangles the web of dynastic coincidences and power plays that elevated Carleto from a footnote in the royal family to being twice-crowned king. The episode is memorable for its vivid retelling of European politics, sharp character portraits, and playful but incisive demystification of royal myths. An essential listen for those seeking both the "what" and "how" of Spain’s eighteenth-century monarchy—made both lively and accessible by Concostrina’s signature style.