Alcudia, MANUEL DE GODOY, DUKE OF,

Alcudia, MANUEL DE GODOY, DUKE OF, a Spanish statesman, was born at Badajoz, 12th May 1767. A mere boy when he came to court, his handsome figure and agreeable manners soon gained him the favour of the queen and of the weak king, Charles IV. He was successively made Duke of Alcudia (taking his title from a small town of that name in Majorca), generalissimo of the forces, and prime minister in 1792. He received the title of 'Prince of the Peace' for his share in the treaty with France, concluded at Basel in 1795. His power, which was at its height in 1807, from that time began to decline. The nobles hated him for his monopoly of political power, while the people ascribed to his ambitious prodigality all the poverty and misery that was the consequence of a long war. When the king abdicated in favour of his son in 1808, Alcudia's life was only saved by the promise of a trial. This trial, however, never took place. Napoleon, who knew his influence over the mind of the Spanish king, had him liberated, and brought to Bayonne, where he instigated all measures taken by the ex-king and queen. After the death of Charles IV. he lived at Paris, and received a small pension from Louis-Philippe. In 1847 his return to Spain was permitted, and his titles, together with great part of his wealth, restored. He died at Paris, 7th October 1851. His Memoirs were published in 8 vols. in 1836.