Służba wojskowa księcia Witolda Czartoryskiegow Hiszpanii (1845-1846)
Prince Witold Czartoryski’s military service in Spain

Summary/Abstract: The article presents details of Prince Witold Czartoryski’s stay in Madrid, unknown inhistoriography; it was in Madrid that he did his military service in the reputed Regiment dela Reina Gobernadora. The prince’s private correspondence with members of his family thatis 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 earnthe lieutenant rank there. The author analyzes a variety of aspects connected with the Prince'sstay in the Spanish capital against the background of the complicated social-political situationof the country at the time the reign of Isabella II of Spain (1833-1868). Among others, theyinclude the course of the service (hardships in the military, the low education level, difficultliving conditions), the Prince's attitude towards the inhabitants of the country (women as wellas men), towards the Spanish political scene, members of the royal family – especially towardsQueen Mother Maria Christina, and towards the Polish community in Spain. A psychologicalanalysis of Witold is an important thread; brought up under hothouse conditions he couldhardly put up with his stay abroad and the inconveniences connected with it. At the same timehe showed his patriotism and devotion to the Polish cause.

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