a group of influential courtiers. The term“camarilla” came into use at the time of King Ferdinand VII ofSpain, who ruled in 1808 and again from 1814 to 1833. Duringhis reign his retainers, who actually ruled the country, began tomeet in a small anteroom to the more spacious royal apartments(camarilla). The court clique under Ferdinand VII and severalother Spanish kings represented the interests of the reactionarynobility and clergy and used its position for personal gain. Theword “camarilla” has become a generic term.