In the early nineteenth century, Spain was trapped politically by the
First French Empire and the ambitious expansion plans of
Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1801
Charles IV of Spain named
Manuel Godoy as first
secretary, in place of
Pedro Cevallos, who distrusted and opposed the French. In 1805, Spain signed a mutual assistance treaty with the newly crowned French Emperor. The treaty led to Spain's involvement in the
War of the Third Coalition, with Spanish and French forces against the Portuguese and English, culminating in the English naval victory at the
Battle of Trafalgar. This defeat made many enemies at court for Godoy, among them the son of Charles IV, Ferdinand, Prince of Asturias (later King Ferdinand VII). ==The Conspiracy==