This is an idea I got after reading the Royal Vendatta: The Crown of Spain 1829-1965 by Theo Aronson (great book btw)
Basically I wonder what would happen if Isabel II's liberal regent, General Espartero was able to hold on to power longer than the three short years he did otl. I think I have come with a responsible scenario to ensure this, but I would like some feedback. Any thoughts, comments, and constructive criticisms are welcome. Also any help in finding other good sources of information about Spain in this time period or about Espartero would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
El Palacio Real, Madrid, October 7, 1841
Countess Espoz, the governess of Queen Isabel II of Spain and her sister Infanta Luisa Fernanda had just taken her charges to their music lessons. She paused for a moment to reflect on the monumental task given to her. The girls’ mother Maria Christina of Naples had been forced to resign as regent and flee to Paris. The new regent, the immensely popular General Baldomero Espartero, had entrusted with raising Isabel and Luisa to be respectable women of rank. Yet to the countess it seemed impossible. Isabel was already 11 and her education had been horrendously neglected. Her handwriting was ineligible; she hated studies and books and seemed obsessed with dancing. Luisa was better, she was 9 but already more serious than her sister and she was sincerely and deeply religious. Such piety would suit a Spanish royal well at least. The Countess’ thoughts were suddenly interrupted by thunderous shouts of Viva! accompanied by a volley of bullets. The Palace was under attack! Countess Espoz quickly had the windows and doors of the royal suite bolted. However, her efforts were in vain, a bullet smashed through a window and embedded itself squarely into Isabel’s neck.[1] Despite the frantic efforts of the servants,the poor girl bled out quickly. At this point Luisa was crying hysterically, so much so that all those present in the room didn’t notice that the assault on the palace had been crushed until Espartero’s troops crashed into the royal apartment.
[1] The major POD, the assault on the Palacio Real did take place in OTL but Isabel survived. Here she doesn’t.
Basically I wonder what would happen if Isabel II's liberal regent, General Espartero was able to hold on to power longer than the three short years he did otl. I think I have come with a responsible scenario to ensure this, but I would like some feedback. Any thoughts, comments, and constructive criticisms are welcome. Also any help in finding other good sources of information about Spain in this time period or about Espartero would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
El Palacio Real, Madrid, October 7, 1841
Countess Espoz, the governess of Queen Isabel II of Spain and her sister Infanta Luisa Fernanda had just taken her charges to their music lessons. She paused for a moment to reflect on the monumental task given to her. The girls’ mother Maria Christina of Naples had been forced to resign as regent and flee to Paris. The new regent, the immensely popular General Baldomero Espartero, had entrusted with raising Isabel and Luisa to be respectable women of rank. Yet to the countess it seemed impossible. Isabel was already 11 and her education had been horrendously neglected. Her handwriting was ineligible; she hated studies and books and seemed obsessed with dancing. Luisa was better, she was 9 but already more serious than her sister and she was sincerely and deeply religious. Such piety would suit a Spanish royal well at least. The Countess’ thoughts were suddenly interrupted by thunderous shouts of Viva! accompanied by a volley of bullets. The Palace was under attack! Countess Espoz quickly had the windows and doors of the royal suite bolted. However, her efforts were in vain, a bullet smashed through a window and embedded itself squarely into Isabel’s neck.[1] Despite the frantic efforts of the servants,the poor girl bled out quickly. At this point Luisa was crying hysterically, so much so that all those present in the room didn’t notice that the assault on the palace had been crushed until Espartero’s troops crashed into the royal apartment.
[1] The major POD, the assault on the Palacio Real did take place in OTL but Isabel survived. Here she doesn’t.
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