In 1896, Vicente Fabián de Moncada y Alarcón was born in Madrid, Spain, son of the disinherited Count, José Vicente de Moncada y Alarcón, and his wife Matilde Arciniega. He began his studies in a school near his home. He studied at the Faculty of Law of the University of Madrid, graduating as a lawyer. Career that he would exercise along with his passion, the letters. He would write in the forbidden magazine Dulce Sedición, which would lead him to his death.
His father, José Vicente, was disinherited by his grandfather José Fabián. He never agreed with his literary writings, nor with his plebeian romances, which he thought would be a disgrace for tomorrow. At that time José Vicente had just graduated as an engineer and no one knew of his noble lineage. He always had a futuristic vision of politics and life, which he embodied in the lively fictional characters in the local newspaper, La Vanguardia. This indocility was his leitmotiv all his life. This led him to marry a beautiful lady with no noble titles. They married secretly so as not to be a future stigma for the family. His only son, Vicente Fabián, would inherit his rebelliousness and passion for literature.
Vicente Fabian was very close to his parents, especially to Matilde. His devoted mother always spoiled him; while his father, remembering his history, exercised the righteousness of character that led his son to become one of the best magistrates of the Supreme Court of Justice.
Vicente Fabian continues his ordinary life and falls in love with a beautiful and distinguished lady, the teacher Teresa Villanueva. In her he sees his mother's qualities reflected. They marry in the intimacy of the family. In the future Vicente Fabian would learn that his sweet wife had communist ideas. They have 3 children: Francisco, called Paco, Mercedes and Rosario. The children's childhood passed peacefully until the Spanish Civil War began. Teresa was careful not to inculcate them with her revolutionary ideas. She thought that in that way, in a tomorrow, her children would be safe. .....
Vicente Fabián, as a lawyer, in his uprightness always defended just causes. He did not think that his opponents would later take their toll on him, although for a time he was withdrawn from his activities in the Court. He assumed that the political animosity of his invisible enemies would not materialize in his lifetime. Besides, his literary irradiation, as the famous Professor Alejandro Sarmiento pointed out, bothered many recalcitrant Francoists.
During 1936, Vicente Fabián began to write for the magazine Dulce Sedición, under the pseudonym El Coronel. There he would analyze political characters in a satirical way. He would also help his wife, although he did not share many opinions. By March of that same year, Teresa began to secretly distribute writings that promoted revolutionary causes. Something illegal for the time. Her husband, when he found out, decided to talk to her.
Vicente Fabián did not want to make his wife uncomfortable. She was an exceptional woman, as a mother, teacher, wife and citizen. But he feared the worst for her. By becoming directly involved with the Republican party .... he too was in danger. She wanted a secure and peaceful future for their children. He calmed himself and planned ahead with a convincing proposal.
-Teresa remember that we have 3 children and for their sake you should not get directly involved with the revolutionaries. The situation in the country is very bad. If they find out or see you, you know the price you can pay ......-
-What do you suggest?.- Teresa asks.
-The school vacations are coming. I invite you to take the children to the countryside. That way they can get away from all this turmoil. I have friends who, for the month of August, can provide us with a house. That way I hope not to arouse suspicion.-
-Yes, seen that way, you're right. Then I will have everything ready for that date,- his wife replies.
The appointed day arrived. Everyone was happy, especially the children. They got into the carriage that would take them to the town of Parla on the outskirts of Madrid. The trip would take about an hour. Halfway there, the car broke down......Teresa became nervous, her heart began to beat faster when she saw a civil guard approaching. She thinks she may be caught because of the last meeting, which she had with the Republicans, where they were planning a labor rebellion.
The guard turns to Vicente Fabián. He tells him to get out of the car to talk to him.....
-We know everything. I myself followed your wife one moonless night and saw her enter the door leading to where the Republicans were gathered. As we know each other, you know that I have to speak directly to the army. I propose that you spend the vacations with the family and, for your sake, keep your children safe. I will help you with the car breakdown. Then forget you ever saw me and don't comment on anything. Agreed?
-Yes, perfect. Thank you very much,- Vicente Fabian answers.
After fixing the car they went on their way. They arrived at the country house. It was near an orphanage run by Fray Bartolomé Campos. The children were fascinated. There were plants of all kinds, as well as animals: cows, sheep, chickens and horses. They played every day and also got to know the orphanage.
The vacation was almost over. They would return home to start classes. The whole return trip was normal. The couple did not suspect their immediate future..... When they arrived at their home, Mansion Esperanza, they unloaded the suitcases and took them up to their rooms. The children were sleepy, so they decided to sleep for a while in their rooms.
Their parents came downstairs. She would prepare dinner and he would review the latest political developments. They hadn't finished going downstairs when suddenly POW, POW,POW. They run out to where they heard the noise. They see civil guard officers come through the door. Without a word they shoot them......Both fall dead. The guards leave the mansion...... The couple's children go downstairs and find the Dantesque spectacle....They begin to cry... at the same time that the frightened neighbors arrive....Everyone is shocked.
-There is nothing to discuss,- says Bernardo, Mercedes' godfather.
-What do we do now? You don't have money to support us all and I don't want to be separated from my sisters,- says Paco, 15 years old, the oldest of the siblings.
While Mercedes hugs her brother, Rosario, 14 years old, immediately responds:
-Maybe we can all be together with Fray Bartolomé. Remember that he always helps orphans.-
Upon hearing this, Bernardo thought that this would be the best option. They would try to collaborate with the orphanage when they could and they would visit them. This was done.
After three years at the orphanage, the brothers thought about their next destination and decided to plan their future. Paco said he wanted to be like Fray Bartolomé. Rosario decided to look for her paternal family and claim her inheritance and little Mercedes, now 9 years old, said she would be like her mother.
The truncated future of Vicente Fabián de Moncada y Alarcón by María del Carmen Sánchez Copyright © 2022
Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)