The birth of the Roi de Rome

Introduction

Napoleon François Charles Joseph’s short life took in five titles (Prince Imperial, Roi de Rome, French emperor, Prince de Parme, and Duc de Reichstadt), two fleeting reigns, exile in Vienna and a military career in the Austrian army of his grandfather. Born on 20 March, 1811, the long-awaited heir to the French imperial throne, son of Napoleon Bonaparte and Marie-Louise of Austria, twice succeeded his father before his life was cut short by tuberculosis, at the tender age of twenty-one.
Documents

– The Roi de Rome’s birth is announced in the Moniteur, 21 March, 1811

– Napoleon’s letter to Francis I, Austrian emperor, announcing the birth of the Roi de Rome, 21 March, 1811

– The Roi de Rome’s birth hits the British press
Commentary

– Pierre Branda, “The Maison des Enfants de France”

– Peter Hicks: “The Celebration of the Baptism of the Roi de Rome”
Timeline

– The birth of the Roi de Rome
Biographies

– CORVISART, Jean Nicolas (1755-1821)

– FRANCIS I, Austrian emperor

– MARIE-LOUISE OF AUSTRIA

– NAPOLEON II, Roi de Rome, French emperor, Prince de Parme, Duc de Reichstadt
Images

– ‘Etruscan carafe’ vase: Baptism of the Roi de Rome

– Bust of the Roi de Rome aged six months

– Commemorative stamp marking the bicentenary of the Roi de Rome’s birth

– Marie-Louise, Empress of the French, and the Roi de Rome, by François Gérard

– Portrait of the Roi de Rome, by Jean-Baptiste Isabey

– Portrait of the Roi de Rome, by Pierre Paul Prud’hon

– Portrait of the Roi de Rome in blue vest, by Jean-Baptiste Isabey

– The Roi de Rome (print)

– The Roi de Rome’s cradle

– The Roi de Rome and the helmet of Mars, by Jean-Baptiste Isabey
Bibliography

– Selection of books in English and French