Ultraroyalists

During the Ominous Decade (1823–1833) of Ferdinand VII of Spain's reign, the ultraroyalists (Spanish: ultrarrealistas), also known as apostolics (apostólicos), ultra-absolutists (ultraabsolutistas), or simply ultras (ultras), were staunch advocates of uncompromising, extremist, or "pure" absolutism. They stood in opposition to the "reformist" absolutists, who favored moderating absolutism in response to pressures from the Quadruple Alliance and Restoration France. The latter's intervention in Spain in October 1823 had ended the constitutional regime of the Liberal Triennium, established following the successful pronunciamiento of Riego in January 1820.

The ultras sought a full restoration of absolutism, including the reinstatement of the Inquisition, which King Ferdinand VII—under European pressure—had not restored after its abolition by liberals during the Liberal Triennium. Their primary backer was the king’s brother, Carlos de Borbón, the heir presumptive due to Ferdinand’s failure to produce children after three marriages. This association also earned them the label "Carlists". The ultras were central to several uprisings, including those led by Joaquín Capapé in 1824 and Georges Bessières in 1825, with their most significant conflict being the War of the Aggrieved, which erupted in Catalonia in 1827.