Articles : 1400
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ArticleThe Baron Gourgaud is presented with the croix d’officier of the Légion d’honneur, 28 April, 2009: the Baron Gourgaud’s speech
It is a great honour for me to receive this croix d'officier from the hands of Monsieur le Grand Chancelier, as one would have said during the Empire. Even more so to receive it in these prestigious surroundings where the memory of the founder of the Order of the Légion d'honneur is ever-present. (Addressing the Grand Chancelier, Général […]
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ArticleMadame Récamier, the "dame au sofa"
A question of image (1) Review of the exhibition catalogue: “Juliette Récamier, muse et mécène” (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, 27 March – 29 June, 2009) One of the strong points of the catalogue that accompanies the exhibition “Juliette Récamier, muse et mécène” (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, 27 March – 29 June, 2009) is the […]
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ArticleAndreas Hofer and the insurrection in the Tyrol, 1809The insurrection of 1809 in the Tyrol is a fascinating episode in the history of Napoleon and the French Empire. A microcosm of what was taking place across Europe during the period, distilled into a very distinct geographical area at a very particular time, the…
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Article"Experience" of music in France during the Napoleonic period: second atelier de la Fondation Napoléon (24 March 2009)
On 24 March 2009, the Fondation Napoléon held the second in its series of study days aimed at improving the understanding of aspects of Napoleonic cultural history. This particular event, which took place at the Bibliothèque Marmottan in Boulogne-Billancourt, was dedicated to music in daily life in First Empire France. As well as talks given […]
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ArticleIntrigue and conspiracy at Porto: the second French invasion of Portugal
Introduction The month of May, 1808 marked the commencement of a terrible tragedy for the peoples and nations of Spain, Portugal, and France. Six months earlier French armies of the Napoleonic Empire had begun their invasion and occupation of the Iberian Peninsula. However, the conservative, proud, religious, and xenophobic native populations had reacted initially to […]
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ArticleBook review: exhibition catalogue for "Napoleon III and Queen Victoria"
If, during your visit to the exhibition, you spied amongst the 280 works on display such a perfectly-formed vase, or a painting of such glorious colour, that you were compelled to search out further details in the exhibition's catalogue, you may well be disappointed. The items on display do not receive any further explanation and […]
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ArticleGeneral Sir Hudson Lowe, KCB: Napoleon’s JailerThere is always a great deal of difference between “history” and “legend”. Problems arise when “legend” is either commingled with “history”, or “legend” becomes “history”. There are numerous examples, especially when politics is involved. The story of General Sir Hudson’s Lowe’s treatment of Napoleon on…
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Article150 years ago: 1859Titles in black: Politics Titles in navy-blue: Science Titles in dark-red: Society
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ArticleThe Fondation Napoléon History Grand Prix and Research Grant Awards Ceremony 2008
The 2008 Grand Prix history prizes and Fondation Napoléon Research Grants were awarded on 9 December at a lunch held at the Jockey Club, in Paris. The awards were presented by HIH the Princess Napoleon and the Prince d'Essling, president of the Fondation Napoléon. Opening speech by HIH the Princess Napoleon HIH the Princess Napoleon […]
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ArticleThe Code d’Instruction criminelle, 1808Of all the codification processes that France underwent under Napoleon, the process that led to the Code d'Instruction criminelle of 1808 is probably the most remarkable, for a number of reasons. It was the product of a long maturation process, which united Revolutionary principles with…