Espartero, BALDOMERO

Espartero, BALDOMERO, Duke of Vittoria, was born 27th February 1792, the son of a cartwright at Granatula, in La Mancha. He was intended for the priesthood, but in 1808, on the invasion of Spain by the French, he volunteered into the Bataillon Sagrado ('Sacred Battalion') of students, and after the close of the war of independence in 1814 went to South America, where he fought against the insurgents, until Bolivar's great victory at Ayacucho in 1824 put an end to the Spanish rule on the American continent. In 1833 he declared for the succession of the daughter of Ferdinand VII., became in 1836 general-in-chief of the army in the north, viceroy of Navarre, and captain-general of the Basque provinces. Next year he drove the Carlists from before Madrid across the Ebro, defeated their forces at Lluchana and Burgos, and drove Don Carlos across the frontier into France. For his success Espartero was made Grandee of Spain and Duke of Vittoria. In 1840 the queen-mother Christina was compelled to resign her office of regent, and next year Espartero was appointed by the Cortes to supply her place until the queen (Isabella) should have reached her majority. He guided the helm of the state through socialist and Carlist troubles with energy, firmness, and ability, until a combination of the Republicans and the Moderados brought about his fall in 1843. He resided for four years in England, then, returning to Spain, lived quietly at Logroño from 1847 till 1854, when they again called Espartero to the head of the government. For two years he conducted the affairs of the nation; but in 1856 was supplanted by O'Donnell, and in 1857 resigned his dignity as senator. After the revolution of 1868, which resulted in the expulsion of Queen Isabella, Espartero gave his full and hearty support to the provisional government, though he took no part in their proceedings. In 1870 his name was put forward for the throne of Spain; but he soon withdrew it, and in 1875 tendered his adhesion to Alfonso. He died at Logroño, 9th January 1879. There is an elaborate Life by Florez (Madrid, 1843-45).