HISTORICAL

This famous urban bandit was born in Madrid in 1806; son of a carpenter named José not overwhelmed with money at all. José registered his son on the, now called, institute of San Isidro. There, a professor of Latin gave him a slap because of a problem of performance at school, to which Luisito replied with two. This act of school violence brought him the expulsion from high school at that time, so he could not study anymore, but Luisito still loved reading and improving.

Luis Candelas was a city delinquent, not a bandit from the old trail, of blunderbuss and diligence. He inaugurated a new system of criminal intent, avoiding violence and increasing the use of ruse. He lived by the current Lavapiés square, within a climate of picaresque, where duels with knives was frequently used to settle differences, a system which he has not hesitated to use, but he never killed anyone. In addition, he politicized in the liberal faction, entering into contact with major figures of the era.

Fernando VII had returned from exile in France, finding an atmosphere tense by the internal political squabbles, the Liberals against the absolutist; the constitutional defenders against the ones who defended Fernan VII. Military and aristocrats fraternized with people of the bronze profession, the civilian heroes of the recent war of independence were executed, the French garrison protected the interests of Fernando VII and the King socialized with the mob in taverns.

It is not possible to understand the character of Luis Candelas without a mention of his women. In his life there was a marriage with Manuela Sánchez, the woman he dropped off in Zamora, in the harsh winter in 1827, when we had 21 years of age. Another important woman in his life was Lola la Naranjera, friend-loving Perico Chamorro, a water seller who became close to Fernando VII in his night parties arround Madrid. Also the King added to his friendships Lola la Naranjera.

Meanwhile Luis Candelas, practiced a double life. During the day, posed as an Indian under the name of Luis Álvarez de Cobos, who had to be in Madrid for the formalities of an inheritance. And at night, he became Luis Candelas, who, with his gang, Paco el Sastre, and the brothers Cusó, was involved in planning assaults -in the tavern of Traganiños, what provided them with their livelihood.

He also frequented the friendship of Doña Mari-Alicia, which, in turn, was mistress of the famous military conspirator Salustiano Orbegozo. With all these adventures, it is not surprising that he would come into jail for his misdeeds, to be released or escaped on the same day.

But love emerged in the life of Luis Candelas. It was on the hand of a girl named Clarita. Luis decided to leave everything and go for it with the bride and her middle-class family in Valencia. But, from time to time, he made some minor theft or travelled to Madrid to organize something much talked of with his partners.

After the death of the king, the Liberals came to power and quited their relationship with delinquents. Since then, on the contrary, they persecuted them. But also then, Luis Candelas performs two of his most notable misdeeds: the famous theft at the home of Queen’s dressmaker and a robbery at the French ambassador and his wife. Without political support, he is persecuted and tries to flee to England with Clarita. He arrived to Gijon to embark on a trip to the British island, but Clarita refused to make the trip. Hence, both returned to Madrid, where Luis Candelas was captured, imprisoned, judged and convicted.

The one who was one of the most famous bandits in the capital died at 31 years old. In his statement he said he had never done any blood offence that would justify his death on the scaffold. His coldness at the time of his death was only able to feed the legend that was forged on his behalf. He told the presiding judge encharged of his affair that the ruling was late, but put into reasoning. At the executioner, on the other hand, we noted that it lacked a button of his vest.