# Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma

> Infante of Spain (1788–1855)

**Wikidata**: [Q343621](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q343621)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infante_Carlos_María_Isidro_of_Spain)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/carlos-de-borbon-y-borbon-parma

## Summary
Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma (1788–1855) was an Infante of Spain and a central figure in the Carlist Wars, a series of civil conflicts over the Spanish throne. As the pretender to the throne under the name Carlos V, he led the Carlist movement, which sought to uphold traditional monarchy and resist liberal reforms in 19th-century Spain.

## Biography
- **Born:** 1788 (exact place not specified in source material)
- **Nationality:** Spanish
- **Known for:** Leading the First Carlist War (1833–1840) as the Carlist pretender to the Spanish throne
- **Field(s):** Politics, monarchy
- **Aliases:** Carlos María Isidro Benito de Borbón, Conde de Montemolín, Don Carlos María Isidro de Borbón

## Contributions
Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma was the figurehead of Carlism, a political movement that emerged in the 1830s to support his claim to the Spanish throne. His leadership during the First Carlist War (1833–1840) defined the conflict, which pitted traditionalist forces (Carlists) against liberal supporters of Queen Isabella II. Though ultimately unsuccessful in securing the throne, his movement left a lasting mark on Spanish politics, influencing later Carlist uprisings and shaping conservative resistance to liberalization.

## FAQs
**Who was Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma?**
He was an Infante of Spain and the Carlist pretender to the throne during the First Carlist War, advocating for traditional monarchy against liberal reforms.

**What was the First Carlist War?**
A civil war in Spain (1833–1840) between Carlists, who supported Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma’s claim to the throne, and liberals backing Queen Isabella II.

**What was Carlism?**
A political movement that began in the 1830s, supporting Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma and his descendants as the legitimate monarchs of Spain, opposing liberal constitutionalism.

**Did Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma ever rule Spain?**
No, he never secured the throne, but his movement remained influential in Spanish conservative and traditionalist circles.

## Why They Matter
Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma’s role in the First Carlist War crystallized the ideological divide in 19th-century Spain between traditionalist absolutism and liberal constitutionalism. His leadership gave the Carlist movement its name and enduring identity, influencing Spanish politics for decades. Without his claim, the Carlist Wars might not have taken their specific form, altering the trajectory of Spain’s political struggles.

## Notable For
- Leading the Carlist faction during the First Carlist War (1833–1840)
- Being the namesake and figurehead of the Carlist political movement
- Holding the title *Conde de Montemolín*
- Receiving the Order of St. Andrew, the highest honor of the Russian Empire

## Body
### Early Life and Background
Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma was born in 1788 as an Infante of Spain, a member of the Spanish royal family. His exact birthplace is not specified in the source material, but his lineage tied him to the House of Bourbon, which ruled Spain following the Nueva Planta decrees of 1715.

### Political Role and Carlism
Carlos became the central figure of Carlism, a movement that emerged in the 1830s to challenge the liberal monarchy of Queen Isabella II. Carlism advocated for traditional Catholic monarchy, regional privileges (fueros), and resistance to liberal reforms. The movement took its name from Carlos, who claimed the throne as Carlos V after the death of his brother, King Ferdinand VII, in 1833.

### First Carlist War (1833–1840)
The First Carlist War was a brutal civil conflict between Carlists, who supported Carlos, and Isabelinos, who backed Isabella II. The war was fought primarily in northern Spain, particularly in the Basque Country and Navarre, where Carlist support was strongest. Despite initial successes, the Carlists were ultimately defeated, and Carlos went into exile.

### Legacy and Influence
Though Carlos never ruled Spain, his movement left a lasting impact. Carlism persisted as a political force, inspiring later uprisings and shaping conservative opposition to liberalization. His claim to the throne and the ideological battle it represented influenced Spanish politics well into the 20th century.

### Awards and Recognition
Carlos de Borbón y Borbón-Parma was awarded the Order of St. Andrew, the highest order of the Russian Empire, reflecting his international connections and the broader European context of monarchist movements during his time.

### Later Life and Death
After the defeat in the First Carlist War, Carlos lived in exile. He died in 1855, but his descendants continued to play roles in Carlist politics, ensuring the movement’s longevity. His title *Conde de Montemolín* was one of several aliases under which he was known.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. [Source](https://www.cervantesvirtual.com/portales/reyes_y_reinas_espana_contemporanea/carlos_v_biografia/)
3. The Peerage
4. BnF authorities
5. Virtual International Authority File
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
7. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
8. Spanish Biographical Dictionary
9. Genealogics
10. Proleksis Encyclopedia
11. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
12. Sejm-Wielki.pl