Prince Witold Czartoryski's military service in Spain

Abstract

The article presents details of Prince Witold Czartoryski's stay in Madrid, unknown in historiography; it was in Madrid that he did his military service in the reputed Regimentde la Reina Gobernadora. The prince's private correspondence with members of his family that is kept in the Czartoryski Princes' Library in Krakow is the basis of the information. Witold, who according to his father's will followed military career, went „over the Pyrenees” to earn the lieutenant rank there. The author analyzes a variety of aspects connected with the Prince’s stay in the Spanish capital against the background of the complicated social-political situation of the country at the time the reign of Isabella II of Spain (1833-1868). Among others, they include the course of the service (hardships in the military, the low education level, difficult living conditions), the Prince’s attitude towards the inhabitants of the country (women as well as men), towards the Spanish political scene, members of the royal family – especially towards Queen Mother Maria Christina, and towards the Polish community in Spain. A psychological analysis of Witold is an important thread; brought up under hothouse conditions he could hardly put up with his stay abroad and the inconveniences connected with it. At the same time he showed his patriotism and devotion to the Polish cause.