Captain Alatriste: Danger and Intrigue in 17th Century Madrid
Captain Alatriste: Madrid Intrigues and Encounters
IV. The Ambush
It was time to end the lives of the Englishmen. On a Friday in March, late at night, a dim light illuminated the place chosen for the ambush. The wait seemed interminable, but the time finally came. Alatriste and the Italian assassin Malatesta launched themselves upon the Englishmen. Malatesta was about to deliver the mortal blow to one of them but was prevented by Alatriste. He saved the Englishman’s life, disobeying the orders of the men who had hired them.
V. The Two Englishmen
Alatriste returned to the scene, now without Malatesta. There were the two Englishmen, lying on the ground. He directed his gaze to the one who seemed better off; he was trying to fashion a tourniquet for his comrade. Alatriste decided to take them to the home of his good friend, Álvaro de la Marca. De la Marca received them carefully. It turned out the Englishmen were important figures from the English royal court: George Villiers, Marquis of Buckingham, and Charles, Prince of Wales.
VI. The Art of Making Enemies
Alatriste decided to stay the night at de la Marca’s house. The next day, there was a meeting where they discussed what had happened. Meanwhile, Íñigo de Lebrijana, Alatriste’s young page, went to the Plaza Mayor, hoping to see the Prince. There, he met Angélica Alquézar. He also noticed a man whose face showed hatred towards Alatriste.
VII. The Prado and La Rúa
It was Sunday, a holiday, and also the day the two princes were to make a public appearance. The entire city of Madrid seemed to be in the Plaza Mayor. Alatriste was also there, having spent a sleepless night, wary of a potential attack. However, nothing happened until dusk, when Lieutenant Saldaña, along with six men, abducted Alatriste and took him to an abandoned house.
VIII. El Portillo de las Ánimas
Alatriste was taken into the house. In a room lit only by a single candle, he could see one of the masked men from the ambush and Fray Emilio Bocanegra. All was still. Alatriste was very nervous, as if facing the executioner. He was only questioned, nothing more, and then released. Coming out of the house, there was a confrontation. Alatriste’s life was saved by Íñigo, who had followed him, his arms wrapped in his cloak.
IX. The Steps of San Felipe
Madrid continued to celebrate throughout the duration of the royal courtship. Festivities included bullfights, spear games, and more. Íñigo describes the festive atmosphere at the Steps of San Felipe, a popular gathering place where people met to talk and gossip. They were there when two men arrived to watch Alatriste’s movements. Meanwhile, Íñigo was talking to Angélica.
X. El Corral del Príncipe
They arrived at the premiere of a play by the famous playwright Lope de Vega at the Corral del Príncipe theater. Alatriste had promised to take Íñigo to see the play. There was a large crowd at the entrance: educated people, monks, beggars, and others. Alatriste and Íñigo managed to get inside. However, not all was well; a dispute broke out, during which Alatriste helped save Buckingham’s life once again.
XI. The Seal and the Letter
Alatriste was taken to the palace. There, he was presented with a box containing a seal and a letter from the Prince of Wales, thanking him for saving his life.
Main Themes Discussed
The Life of the Sword
Men like Alatriste, often veterans retired from the war, skilled in fighting but not knowing any other trade, have to make a living somehow. For many, the solution is the sword – living by undertaking dangerous ‘jobs’ and commissions for others.
Fear of Authority
Alatriste, when interrogated by Bocanegra (implying the threat of jail or worse), felt fear. He understood the potential hardships: hunger, lack of sleep, and the grim reality of imprisonment. Furthermore, the ever-present fear of the Inquisition meant one had to be extremely careful. Doing anything perceived as against the Church or harmful (perjudicial) could lead to a terrible end: burning at the stake (hoguera) or hanging by a rope.