Episode Overview

Podcast: Todo Concostrina
Episode: Segunda entrega de la estrafalaria historia del 'demonio de Cangas' y el exorcismo de Carlos II
Host: Nieves Concostrina
Date: May 18, 2022

In this third and final installment about the bizarre saga of Carlos II, "el Hechizado," Nieves Concostrina narrates with her characteristic wit the absurd events surrounding the belief that the Spanish king was possessed or cursed. The episode delves into fraudulent exorcisms, court intrigues, and the continued grip of superstition over the powerful, ending with a sharp commentary on modern echoes of these medieval beliefs.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Recap of the 'Demonio de Cangas' Story

• Background:
  • The series revolves around Carlos II, the last of the Spanish Habsburgs, known for his ailments and superstition.
  • Previous episodes covered his marriage to Mariana de Neoburgo and the desperate search for a royal heir.
  • Blame for the lack of an heir shifted between the king, his wives, and, often, supposed demonic possession.
  • Rogue inquisitors and a Dominican 'healer' involved nuns (the "demonio de Cangas") in a ruse that was eventually revealed as fraud.

"Era una ruina física de hombre, pero siempre culpaban de la falta de un hijo a las esposas por ser unas malas pécoras o al demonio por haber poseído a Carlos II." — Nieves (02:00)

2. The Obsession with Exorcism

• Carlos II becomes fixated on the idea that he is possessed, contrary to official advice, and demands an exorcism.
• The king's accomplice, the inquisitor general, dies, leading to the appointment of a more compliant replacement; the king frames the need for exorcism as a condition for the job.

"[Carlos II] le estaba diciendo [al inquisidor general]: te nombro hechicero jefe para que me exorcises o me busques a alguien que lo haga, Si no, no." — Nieves (04:40)

3. Court Rituals and Superstitions

• The royal household engages in endless superstitious rituals: oil drinking, relics, and sleeping with holy objects, as directed by supposed demon instructions.
• Nieves doesn't shy away from critiquing these practices and their roots in religious manipulation:

"Todo esto son cosas que venían haciendo el rey y ella, porque el demonio de Cangas les iba dando instrucciones..." — Nieves (05:18)

• Direct attack on the Church’s dealings and selling of exorcisms:

"El demonio, evidentemente ni venía ni se iba, porque el demonio no existe, es un fraude inventado por la Iglesia católica, es un engañabobos." — Nieves (05:32)

4. Mauro Tenda: The Italian Exorcist

• Upon royal request, a famed Italian exorcist, Mauro Tenda, is summoned.
• He performs theatrical rituals, such as "pinching" the king to see if he feels demonic pricks.
• The supposed evidence for the king's bewitchment becomes farcical—his protective necklace, once opened, contains egg shells, hair, and nail clippings.

"Dentro del saquito había cascaritas de huevo, pelo y uñas. Y dijo el hechicero, esta es la prueba de que el rey está hechizado, le dijo la sartén al cazo. Apártate que me tiznas." — Nieves (07:52)

5. The Queen Takes Charge

• Queen Mariana de Neoburgo, frustrated by continual accusations and escalating nonsense, spearheads actions against the scammers.
• New accusers pop up, always blaming women, further revealing the misogynistic undertones of these events.

"Apareció otro endemoniado en Viena diciendo que el diablo le había contado que la que había hechizado a Carlos II para que no tuviera hijos era la reina, ayudada por su camarilla de condesas y Marquesas. Siempre mujeres. ¿Te das cuenta?" — Nieves (09:03)

• The queen uses political opportunity to have her accusers, especially the king’s confessor, processed by the Inquisition.

6. Ironic Resolution

• The Inquisition burns all objects alleged to be related to witchcraft, prompting a "miraculous" improvement in Carlos II’s health—he dies two months later.
• The real final order comes from the queen, not through any priest or exorcist.

"Mejoró tanto que dos meses después se murió. Una mejoría extraordinaria." — Nieves (09:57)

7. Contemporary Parallels

• Nieves closes by mocking the Vatican’s modern-day exorcism courses.

"Se siguen dando. La única manera de seguir engañando a la gente es metiéndoles miedo con el diablo. Y para eso tienes que hacerles creer que existe..." — Nieves (10:35)

• She expresses both indignation and laughter at the persistence of such superstition into the 21st century.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Carlos II’s gullibility and the Church’s manipulation:

"Era imposible. Carlos II quería ser exorcizado a toda costa. Sí, sí, sí. Y a eso vamos hoy, a la patochada monárquico religiosa." — Nieves (02:34)

• On the absurdity of the exorcism drama:

"Carlos II brincaba porque sentía que el demonio le pinchaba." — Nieves (07:17)

• Satirical jab at the legacy of superstition:

"Siglo XXI y todavía hay gente que se come el cuento." — Nieves (05:39)

• Modern echoes, in Nieves' biting tone:

"¿Pero bueno, señores gerifaltes católicos, yo creo que ya deberían dejar de engañar a la gente, no? Hagan el favor de respetar un poco." — Nieves (11:28)

Important Timestamps

• [02:00] – Background on Carlos II, demonio de Cangas, and the exorcism setup
• [04:40] – Carlos II's maneuvering for a complicit inquisitor general
• [05:18] – Superstitious court rituals described
• [07:17] – Mauro Tenda’s “exorcism” and its theatrical methods
• [09:03] – Queen Mariana fights back, misogyny in witchcraft accusations
• [09:57] – “Extraordinary improvement” (Carlos II’s death)
• [10:35] – Vatican exorcism courses today

Tone and Style

Nieves Concostrina employs her trademark irreverence, blending historical research with biting satire, and never shies from judging superstition, Church machinations, or the ineptitude of rulers. The episode is both comedic and sobering, laced with her colorful metaphors and direct language.

Conclusion

This episode masterfully interweaves historical farce with scathing cultural criticism, revealing how superstition once governed the fate of empires—and how echoes of that past remain in contemporary religious practices. Those unfamiliar with the story will find Concostrina's summary both enlightening and highly entertaining.