Manuel Godoy: Prince of Peace
Though some recent historians have been kind to the favourite, writes Douglas Hilt, during his lifetime Manuel Godoy was generally denounced as an intriguing parvenu.
Few men, both during and after their lives, have been so generally vilified by an entire nation as has Godoy ‘el Principe da la Paz’ Hardly an historian or novelist has failed to seize the opportunity to blame him for all of Spain’s misfortunes during the Napoleonic period, holding him responsible for the country’s poor state of military preparedness as well as the scandalous immoral behaviour at court.
Godoy still remains the classic scapegoat, and more recent attempts at a truer perspective have failed to present a better balanced picture. Ironically enough, very little has been written about Godoy the man, as distinct from the stereotyped caricature.
Most descriptions are content to dwell on his supposed exploits with the Queen in the royal bedroom, emphasizing his personal accumulation of wealth and titles, but denying him any redeeming qualities.
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