Monteros de Espinosa
Habsburg
Emperor, escorted by his castilian Monteros.The Monteros de Espinosa are the oldest
Guardia Real
.
Originally a small tight unit of five to nine men who like their contemporary
Joan, the Mad. They had no other officer than the King himself as its Captain and in his absence the King's Right Arm
was its Lieutenant.
It was a privilege reserved only for the local
County of Castile at the time of its foundation. In particular, membership was reserved to hidalgos born in or around Espinosa, the town in northern Burgos
that gave its name to the unit. These hidalgos could ask for or be asked by the Crown for its service at any time.
With time, their service was limited only to night time and the most sensitive occasions, distinguished with the Honour of watching the Monarchs closest privy Chambers and doing direct custody of the Royal persons during sickness, as well as watching and carrying from the moment of death the Royal Corpses to burial. Birth, Baptism, Marriage and Coronation. All the most intimate aspects of Guard duties.
With time, their functions became less military and mostly like the
Carlos VII during the Carlist Wars
.
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