Godoy, Manuel de, Duke of Alcudia 1767-1851
Spanish politician

Born in Badajoz, he was a member of Charles IV's bodyguard and became the royal favourite. Having deposed the Count of Aranda, he achieved dictatorial power at the age of 25 through the favour of the queen, Maria Luisa, whose lover he was. In 1795 he assumed the title Prince of the Peace, following Spain's defeat by Revolutionary France. In 1796 he allied with France against England - a disastrous move which turned Spain into a virtual French satellite, and greatly contributed to her losing her American Empire. On the French invasion of 1808, the king was obliged to imprison Godoy as a protection from popular fury. He subsequently intrigued with Napoleon I and spent the rest of his life in exile in Rome and Paris.

Bibliography: Jacques Chastenet, Godoy: Master of Spain (1953)