Requetés

Requetés refers to the Carlist volunteers who fought for the pretender to the Spanish throne during the First Carlist War (1833-1840) and subsequent Carlist uprisings. The term is derived from the Spanish word "requeté," meaning "he asked for it" or "he volunteered," highlighting their voluntary enlistment. These forces were primarily drawn from rural areas of northern Spain, particularly the Basque Country, Navarre, and Catalonia, regions with strong traditionalist and Catholic sentiments that often opposed liberal reforms.

The Requetés were characterized by their loyalty to the Carlist cause, which advocated for an absolutist monarchy and the preservation of traditional fueros (regional privileges) against the centralizing tendencies of the liberal government. They often wore distinctive red berets or caps, though their uniforms were generally irregular and varied. Their combat effectiveness varied, and while they could be fierce fighters, they often lacked the training and resources of the regular Spanish army.

The Requetés played a significant role in the military campaigns of the Carlist Wars, engaging in guerrilla warfare and conventional battles. Their continued presence in subsequent Carlist attempts to gain power, notably in the Second Carlist War (1847-1849) and the Third Carlist War (1872-1876), demonstrated the enduring appeal of the Carlist movement in certain segments of Spanish society. The concept of the Requeté evolved into a symbol of militant traditionalism and monarchism in Spain.