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In this week's letter...
As part of our collaboration with the Musée de l'Armée for the exhibition 'Napoléon et l'Europe', we have a brand new object of the month, the uniform worn by Lord Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar, which has been loaned outside of Britain for the very first time for this exhibition. We also have a new literature page with links to a digitised book about the publication of letters of the French army intercepted by the British in Egypt. Next up, there are several events of Napoleonic interest: a book launch in Paris; the commemorative weekend of Napoleon's return from Elba at Golfe Juan (France); the International Napoleonic Fair; and an upcoming exhibition of Opiz watercolours and engravings of late-Empire Paris. Topically, 200 Years Ago focuses on Napoleon's rocky relationship with the Papacy, whilst 150 years ago looks at the development of constitutional monarchy in Sweden and the progress of the Polish insurgents.
On the right hand side, as usual, there are details of recent publications: this week details of an audiobook version of Napoleon Bonaparte: England's Prisoner by Frank Giles and a study of Free Trade and Sailors' Rights in the War of 1812. Seen on the web this week is a short video about Napoleon and Josephine: watch this space for the result of the sale of their engagement ring!
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Object of the Month
The Uniform and Epaulettes worn by Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar
This uniform has a turned-down collar, in keeping with the Royal Navy regulations of 1795-1812. It is matched with a pair of epaulettes decorated with the two stars that distinguished a Vice Admiral of the Royal Navy. The uniform consists of other elements, also kept at the National Maritime Museum: a black velvet collar, a colourful waistcoat in white cotton, button-down breeches in white woollen serge and a pair of cotton and wool stockings. Aside from the quality of the materials and the production of the uniform, which distinguished the officers, it has other distinctly unique features.
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What's On
Booklaunch of ‘Pariser Historischer Studien', Deutsches Historisches Institut, Paris
Readers of last week's letter will remember an article we featured by Claudie Paye. She will be presenting her book in Paris on 4 April at the Deutsches Historisches Institut in Paris. Attendees are asked to register by 23 March.
International Napoleonic Fair 2013, Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK
An important date for your diary, the International Napoleonic Fair will take place near Salisbury in June, as part of a fair dedicated to history. There will be stalls, re-enactments and lots more!
Opiz: Engravings and Watercolours, Musée de Carnavalet, Paris, France
An exhibition of the work of the watercolourist Georg Emanuel Opitz (or Opitz, Prague 1775- Leipzig 1841). He is most famous for his emblematic representations of Paris during the tumultuous years of 1813-1814.
18th Commemoration of Napoleon's Landing at Golfe Juan, Golfe Juan, France
To celebrate the Napoleon's landing at Golfe Juan at the start of the Hundred Days, the tourism office has organised the 18th commemoration of the event. There will be a re-enactment, parades through the town, a Napoleonic fair and a re-enactment of Napoleon's landing on the final day of the event.
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Napoleonic Literature
French Intercepted Letters Published by the British
A new file by our librarian, Chantal Prevot, on the site, recoutning the fascinating story of Napoleonic documents from the Egyptian campaign. During the Egyptian expedition, English and Turkish boats captured French vessels carrying letters from the men of the army and scientists. The English chancery read these missives carefully, which gave an excellent impression of the state of the French army in Egypt, their morale, their plans and the difficulties they were encountering. A part of this correspondence was private, and made for 'interesting' reading: for example, in one letter, Bonaparte complains about Josephine's coquettery.
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200 Years Ago
On 24 March, 1813 Pope Pius retracted his signature from the Concordat of Fontainebleau, which he had signed under duress after a period of sustained negociation one on one with Napoleon himself, 19-25 January, 1813. This second Concordat was designed to solve once and for all the problem of episcopal investiture - since Napoleon had invaded the Papal States in 1808 (of which the Pope was temporal head), the Pontiff had retaliated not only by excommunicating Napoleon but also by refusing to appoint any further bishops. Since the Emperor relied to a certain degree on the stabilising influence of the Church in society, as well as the influence it had, notable in regards to conscription, this refusal was inacceptable to Napoleon. Though the new Concordat recognised the Pope's role as temporal ruler of the Papal States, it nevertheless still contained the possibility for Napoleon to nominate his own bishops should the Pontiff not nominate any within a six-month period. Perhaps the Pope had regrets? Be that as it may, on signature the isolated Pontiff was granted access to a group of bishops and prelates (as a reward for signing), and their subsequent discussions led the Pope to recant, citing the pretext of publication of the text. Part of the agreement had been that the Concordat would not be published; hence when Napoleon decided to enact the Concordat as law in February 1813, and in doing so publishing certain articles from it, the Holy See considered that Napoleon had broken the agreement. Despite the fact that copies of the retraction were printed and disseminated, Napoleon's considered the Concordat as legally valid and began to nominate his own bishops. To no avail, however, since the clergy dragged their feet, preferring their allegiance to the Holy Father.
150 Years Ago
On 22 March, 1863, Le Moniteur reported on Sweden, which was continuing its reforms of the state. A primary aim was the abolition of its three legislative chambers: those of the nobles, the bourgeois and the peasants. The sovereign himself hoped to rescind the privileges of the nobles and instate a modern bicameral system. Le Moniteur also highlighted the massive support the Swedes had for the Polish insurgents fighting against the Russian Empire, support partly fuelled by hate of their old foe and dominator. The French newspaper reported that donations for the Polish cause were high in the towns of Lund, Upsala, Helsinborg and Calmar. Nor was Sweden alone in her support of the Polish uprising; donations were collected in Brussels, Berne and Manchester. In England, some people demanded the right of the Polish to be recognised as belligerents. The ambassador of Austria was recalled from Russia but no successor was named to represent the Austrian Empire in St Petersburg before the end of the Polish crisis. Prussia remained the only main power willing to help the Tsar suppress this revolt which looked as if it were going to last for a long time.
Wishing you an excellent "Napoleonic" week,
Peter Hicks and Andrew Miles
Historians and web editors
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N0 663, 22-28 MARCH, 2013
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© This Napoleon.org weekly bulletin is published by the Fondation Napoléon. Reproduction or all or part of this bulletin is forbidden, without prior agreement of the Fondation Napoléon
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OPERATION ST HELENA
The Fondation Napoléon and the Souvenir Napoléonien , in association with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have announced the prolongation of its international fund-raising campaign to restore and save Napoleon I's residence on the island of St Helena. All the details regarding the campaign as well as donation forms and advice for donating from outside France, can be found on napoleon.org
You can still donate online to the project via the Friends of the Fondation de France in the US here
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'NAPOLEON ET L'EUROPE' AT THE MUSEE DE L'ARMEE
- The exhibition opens on 27 March. Buy your tickets online.
napoleon.org-related content:
- Painting of the Month, from the exhibition: Bonaparte Crossing the Great St Bernard Pass
- Interview with E.Robbe, Director of the Exhibition
- Object of the Month, from the exhibtion The Uniform and Epaulettes worn by Lord Nelson at the Battle of Trafalgar
MAGAZINE
Just Published
- Audiobook: Napoleon Bonaparte, England's Prisoner, by Frank Giles
- Free Trade and Sailors' Rights in the War of 1812, by Paul A. Gilje
Seen on the web (external links)
- A short video about Napoleon and Josephine
EVENTS
On now and coming up
A selection of events taking place now or in the coming weeks, taken from our What's on listings.
Exhibition
-Georg Emanuel Opiz: Engravings and Watercolours [Paris, France 26/03/2013 - 26/06/2013]
Other Events
-International Napoleonic Fair 2013 [Salisbury, UK 29/06/2013 - 30/06/2013]
-Commemoration at Golfe Juan [Golfe Juan, France 23/03/2013 - 24/03/2013]
NAPOLEONICA.LA REVUE
Available free on Cairn.info
NAPOLEONICA ARCHIVES ONLINE
Napoleonica Archives is now online!
THE BIBLIOTHÈQUE MARTIAL-LAPEYRE FONDATION NAPOLEON LIBRARY
The new library opening hours are:
Monday and Tuesday 1pm – 6pm and
Thursday to Friday 10am – 3pm.
Closed Wednesday.
Online catalogue
Digital Library
Contact
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