Podcast Summary: Acontece que no es poco | Los portugueses tiran al secretario de Estado español por la ventana

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Host: Nieves Concostrina (with interlocutor Rafa)
Date: November 30, 2023
Episode Main Theme:
A lively recounting of the Portuguese Restoration of Independence in 1640, focusing on the dramatic act of defenestration (throwing out of a window) of the Spanish Secretary of State in Lisbon. Concostrina explores centuries of complex and often tense Spanish-Portuguese relations, using her signature humor and directness to illuminate this pivotal episode.

Episode Overview

Nieves Concostrina, joined by Rafa, narrates the story of how Portuguese revolutionaries, fed up with Spanish rule, threw the Spanish Secretary of State, Miguel de Vasconcelos, out a window in Lisbon’s Royal Palace—a literal and symbolic act that set off Portugal's fight for independence from Spain. The episode traces the history leading up to this event, the dynamics between Spain and Portugal through the Habsburg "Filipino" dynasty, and the eventual Portuguese Restoration under King John IV.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Spanish-Portuguese Relations: Proximity and Friction

• Opening Reflection: Concostrina and Rafa joke about Spain’s historical attitude toward Portugal, oscillating between ignoring and condescending to its neighbor.
• Quote (Nieves, 00:53):
  "A los portugueses los hemos tenido hasta la peineta durante casi cuatro siglos... y ellos son una gente estupenda de la que aprender mucho. Hemos sido muy pesados, muy cansinos con la chorrada de la Unión Ibérica."
• They note that the relationship could have been more amicable had Spain left Portugal alone and practiced good neighborliness.

2. The Symbolic Importance of Lisbon’s Plaza dos Restauradores

• Concostrina points out (00:45):
  “La Plaza de los Restauradores... tiene un pedazo de obelisco en el centro, que es el monumento a los que restauraron la independencia de Portugal... la fecha más importante es la del 1 de diciembre de 1640.”
• This plaza commemorates the very act the episode centers on: the beginning of Portuguese independence restoration.

3. The Defenestration Event and Its Meaning

• On December 1, 1640, Portuguese conspirators invaded the royal palace, found Miguel de Vasconcelos hiding in a wardrobe, and threw him out of a window.
• Quote (Nieves, 02:00):
  "Miguel de Vasconcelos salió por la ventana y claro, caput, despanzurrando."
• This act marked a point of no return, deliberate and literal, not metaphorical.

4. Historical Roots: How Did Spain Come to Rule Portugal?

• The backstory starts with King Sebastian’s death without heirs (1578), leading to the brief reign of Cardinal Enrique (a celibate cardinal with slim chances of legitimate succession).
• Felipe II of Spain leveraged dynastic confusion and, with papal support, prevented Enrique from marrying and creating an heir.
• Quote (Nieves, 05:57):
  "Aquí es donde entra Felipe II, que era el ansias..."
• The Habsburg claim led to the formation of the Filipino Dynasty: Felipe II (I of Portugal), Felipe III (II of Portugal), Felipe IV (III of Portugal).
• Felipe II’s initial attempts at subtlety in winning over the Portuguese are contrasted with the later bluntness and mismanagement of his successors.

5. Spanish Mismanagement and Portuguese Grievances

• Under Felipe III, Portugal was relegated to second-class status and ruled by absentee monarchs and uninterested administrators.
• The final straw was the aggressive centralizing policies of Felipe IV (under the influence of the Count-Duke of Olivares), notably the “Unión de Armas”—forcing Portugal to supply thousands of troops and extra taxes for Spain’s continental wars.
• Quote (Nieves, 11:42):
  "Se le exigió [a Portugal] que aportara 16.000 hombres para la unión de armas. Y lo hicieron. Lo hicieron de mala gana, pero lo hicieron porque decían... '¿Qué necesidad tenemos de discutir con los extranjeros cada vez que el rey de España se mete en una guerra?'"
• The imposition led to a buildup of resentment, both over military and economic burdens and the disregard for Portuguese autonomy.

6. Catalonia, Crisis, and the Final Revolt

• The 1640 Catalan Revolt prompts Spain to demand still more from Portugal.
• This was the tipping point:
• Quote (Nieves, 12:17):
  "Esa fue la gota ya que colmó el vaso de la paciencia de los portugueses... decidieron revolucionarse. Aquel primero de diciembre tiraron al representante del rey por la ventana."
• On that day, the Portuguese proclaimed John IV (João IV) from the House of Braganza as their king, starting a 28-year war for independence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Relations:
  "Basta con ser buenos vecinos y cooperar. No es necesario irse a vivir juntos." (Nieves, 02:53)
• On Felipe II’s Papal Maneuvering:
  "No dejes que Enrique se salga de cura... Que reine, vale, pero que reine soltero, que se aguante. Ay, ay, como me duele el amor." (Nieves, 06:01)
• On Spanish Absenteeism:
  “Felipe III... pasó de todo y dejó todo en manos de su valido, el duque de Lerma, porque con rezar nueve rosarios al día... y jugar a los dados, ya tenía bastante.” (Nieves, 08:39)
• On Broken Empires:
  “Nadie sostenía este imperio tan salvaje.” (Nieves, 11:56)
• Fado Interlude:
  Between the political narrative, a musical fado reference is made, underscoring the Portuguese spirit and melancholy (10:15–10:50).

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:45 – 02:42: Setting the episode: Lisbon’s square and the story of Vasconcelos’s defenestration.
• 03:00 – 05:00: Backstory on how Spain came to rule Portugal (Sebastian’s death, Felipe II’s maneuvering).
• 06:20 – 08:08: The transition through the Habsburg dynasty, and growing Portuguese discontent.
• 10:17 – 11:02: Fado, and Spanish policies of forced centralization.
• 11:02 – 12:14: The “Unión de Armas,” tax burdens, and growing resentment.
• 12:14 – 13:22: The 1640 pivot: Catalonia’s revolt, Portuguese uprising, and the start of the independence war.

Tone and Style

Concostrina utilizes her trademark wit, groundedness, and irreverence, delivering historical analysis mixed with popular sayings, personal asides, and musical touches. The dialogue is informal yet deeply informed, blending detailed history with anecdotes and contemporary parallels.

Conclusion

This episode masterfully narrates the long buildup to Portuguese independence, highlighting how a weary but patient neighbor finally lost patience with imperial overreach. Nieves Concostrina leaves listeners with appreciation for Portugal’s fortitude, a keen sense of the pitfalls of forced unions, and an invitation to be better neighbors.