Cortes in Madrid, Spain — Southwestern Europe (Iberian Peninsula)
Motín de Esquilache
⎯⎯⎯
Esquilache Riots
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, circa November 8, 2022
1. Motín de Esquilache / Esquilache Riots Marker
En esta plaza dio comienzo el Motín de Esquilache el 23 de marzo de 1766 Domingo de Ramos
The Esquilache Riots began in this square on March 23, 1766, Palm Sunday.
Erected 1990 by Ayuntamiento de Madrid.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Events. In addition, it is included in the City of Madrid - "Yellow Diamond" series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 23, 1766.
Location. 40° 24.745′ N, 3° 41.938′ W. Marker is in Madrid. It is in Cortes. It is on Calle de Atocha, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Calle de Atocha 67, Madrid 28012, Spain. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, in Europe, in the European Union, in Atlantic Europe, on the Iberian Peninsula, in the Schengen Area, in a coastal Mediterranean country, and in the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Byzantine Empire, a Spanish colony, and the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Serguei Prokofiev (a few steps from this marker); Bartolomé Carducho (within shouting distance of this marker); A Los Abogados de Atocha / In Memory of the Lawyers of Atocha (within shouting distance of this marker); Antón Martín (within shouting
this page online
Also see . . .
1. The Esquilache riots (The Making of Madrid).
On the causes of the riots: By the mid-1700s, one thing was clear to the king´s Neapolitan adviser, the Marquis of Esquilache; long cloaks, along with wide brimmed hats – that much like hoodies in modern Britain concealed a criminal’s identity – had to go. The Marquis issued a proclamation stating that long capes and broad brimmed hats were now out in favour of short capes and three cornered hats, a la Francés. The suck ups in Charles the III’s court of course all capitulated but things went more than a little awry when it came to getting the commoners to adopt the namby pamby foreign style of dress. The problem was that after liberalizing the grain trade, Esquilache was not popular with the common man. The price of bread and other staple foods(Submitted on December 31, 2022.)had shot up through the roof, so this high-handed edict dictating how people were to dress served as the proverbial straw that broke the camel’s back.Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, circa November 8, 20222. Motín de Esquilache / Esquilache Riots Marker - wide view
On March 10 1766 placards went up throughout the city instructing people to adopt the new style of dress or have their hats and cloaks confiscated. These were torn right back down to cries of “Long live Spain” and “Death to Esquilache.” …
2. Esquilache Riots (Wikipedia).
Excerpt: On Palm Sunday, around 4 o'clock in the afternoon, two townsmen, dressed in the forbidden long capes and chambergos, provocatively crossed the Plazuela de Antón Martín. Several soldiers on guard stopped them to challenge the wearing of the prohibited garments. Insults were exchanged and the soldiers tried to detain them. One of the townsmen unsheathed a sword and whistled. A band of townspeople appeared and the soldiers fled. The rioters quickly took over Plaza de los Inválidos where muskets and sabers were stored. 2,000 rioters marched on the Calle Atocha to the Plaza Mayor, shouting insults against Esquilache. They encountered Luis Antonio Fernández de Córdoba y Spínola, the 11th Duke of Medinaceli, whom they surrounded and persuaded to present petitions to the king.(Submitted on December 31, 2022.)
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, circa November 8, 2022
3. Motín de Esquilache / Esquilache Riots Marker - wider view
Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 30, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 617 times since then and 74 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 30, 2022, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.
