| |
| |
EDITORIAL
The Empress's Dragoons in mourning
In armies, esprit de corps, a sentiment difficult for those not military to grasp, is forged by the history and the traditions of a regiment. The 13è Régiment de Dragons Parachutistes has both in spades.
The regiment dates back to the 17th century. It fought in all the campaigns of the Empire, from Austerlitz to Rocquencourt, including the Berezina. It is the heir to the Dragons de l'Impératrice (the Empress's Dragoons), although more accurately it ought to be called the Empresses' Dragoons. A decree added a regiment of dragoons to the Imperial Guard on 15 April, 1806, under the patronage of the Empress Josephine. Marie-Louise succeeded her in 1810. Disbanded in December 1815, the regiment was re-created in 1855 by Napoleon III and in 1857, the Empress Eugénie became its patroness. This Napoleonic tradition died with the fall of the Second Empire.
It was however to be re-established in 1959 when HIH the Princess Napoléon also become patroness of the 13e RDP, currently stationed at Dieuze (Moselle). On 18 January, eight French soldiers (several from the 13e RDP) died in a helicopter crash near Nyonié (Gabon) during joint French/Gabonese exercises.
The Fondation Napoléon offers its deepest condolences to the families of the victims.
Thierry Lentz, director of the Fondation Napoléon
with François Houdecek
|
|
|
| |
THIS WEEK'S LETTER
This week's letter sees our first article of the month for 2009: Peter Friedman's "General Sir Hudson Lowe, KCB: Napoleon's Jailer", which discusses the English general's treatment of Napoleon on the island of St. Helena. After that, we have another reminder of the many different sections available on version III of napoleon.org, including quizzes, e-postcards and our period glossary. We also have some more Fondation Napoléon news this week: as part of the build up to a new exhibition taking place later this year in Vienna, the Fondation will be financing the restoration of a dress worn by the Princess d'Eckmühl, the wife of Maréchal Davout, to the marriage of Napoleon and Marie-Lousie. Further down the page you will find our highlighted items from Napoleonica. La Revue, the occasionally-overlooked book and exhibition reviews, and our 200 and 150 years ago sections. 200 years ago sees Napoleon give a quick résumé of the state of affairs in Europe at the start of 2009 and 150 years ago has advice on the importance of international opinion in politics from Napoleon III. Finally, in our Magazine section located on the right-hand side, you will find details of our book of the month, a link to an article on the Sarkozy-Napoleon parallel which appeared in the UK newspaper The Independent and all the news on current and upcoming exhibitions and conferences. In particular, coming soon is the Napoleon and Europe, 1800-1815 conference which takes place in Oxford, UK, in March, and which requires registration.
|
|
|
| |
ARTICLE OF THE MONTH
"General Sir Hudson Lowe, KCB: Napoleon's Jailer" by Peter Friedman
There 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 St. Helena is one of those examples.
Click here for the article.
|
|
|
| |
A WANDER THROUGH THE SITE
The new year is the perfect opportunity to take another look at what we have on offer on version III of napoleon.org. We've already reminded you of some of our new and updated features, but there remains much to be discovered, explored and indeed revisited.
Napoleonic e-cards
Why not send your friends a Napoleonic e-card to celebrate the new year? We have a great choice of cards available, from portraits of the imperial family to Napoleonic satire, and it's great for the environment too.
Period Glossary
Our Period Glossary, dedicated to famous quotations, words and expressions from the entire time-period (First and Second Empire), is a fascinating insight into the origins of a number of our sayings and expressions that are still often in use today. And if you have your own suggestions, don't hesitate to contact us with them; we're always looking to add to the glossary!
Quizzes
If you fancy putting your Napoleonic knowledge to the test, why not have a look at our quiz section? There are three thematic quizzes ("Marshals of the First Empire", "Napoleon I at the cinema" and "the Correspondence of Napoleon I") as well as a randomiser option to mix it up a bit.
|
|
|
| |
NAPOLEONICA. LA REVUE
Issue n° 3
This week we remind you that each issue of Napoleonica. La Revue also includes a number of reviews of recent Napoleonic publications and exhibitions. Issue n° 3 has book reviews of Bonapartists in the Borderlands. French Exiles and Refugees on the Gulf Coast, 1815-1835 (Rafe Blaufarb), Napoléon Bonaparte, Clisson et Eugénie (edited by Emilie Barthet and Peter Hicks), Napoléon III. L'homme, le politique, actes du colloque de la Fondation Napoléon (19 et 20 mai 2008) (various contributors) and Réinventer la tradition. Alexandre Stourdza et l'Europe de la Sainte-Alliance (Stella Ghervas), as well as a review of the Jérôme Napoléon, roi de Westphalie exhibition that took place at Fontainebleau.
|
|
|
| |
200 YEARS AGO
Europe, as seen by Napoleon, at the start of 1809
“Mon frère, I received your letter of 4 January and the pamphlet extract which was attached. It is just one of the thousand and one libels that England finances in order to disrupt the continent. They have been doing the same thing for fifteen years, and it no longer has any effect. The author of this libel is a nobody. Nevertheless, you will do well to stop the circulation of this pamphlet in your states."
Click here to continue with the new year report.
150 YEARS AGO
The importance of public opinion in international conflict
On 26 January, 1859, Napoleon III wrote to his cousin, Prince Napoléon, congratulating him on the way he had handled the negotiations for his marriage. He however included in a letter important instructions on how he wanted the coming war with Austria to be viewed by public opinion in France in particular and in Europe in general...
Click here to read Napoleon III's instructions.
Wishing you an excellent, Napoleonic, week,
Peter Hicks and Hamish Davey Wright
Historians and web-editors
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N° 482, 23 - 29 January 2009
Interested in the work of the Fondation Napoléon? Why not participate, either generally or in a specific project, by making a donation?
© 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.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE BIBLIOTHEQUE FONDATION NAPOLEON LIBRARY
Winter opening times:
Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday: 1pm-6pm
Thursday: 10am-3pm
(Closed Friday)
THE MAGAZINE
Book of the month
- Tim Voelcker, Admiral Saumarez Versus Napoleon - The Baltic, 1807-12
Fondation Napoléon History Prizes 2008
- Francis and Madeleine Ambrière, Talma, ou l'histoire du théâtre
- Alain Decaux, Coup d'état à l'Elysée
- Edgardo Donati, La Toscana nell'impero napoleonico
News
- Fondation Napoléon Research Grants 2008 announced.
- Baron Gourgaud is made officier of the Légion d'Honneur
Press review
- The Independent article: Sarkozy: The new Napoleon?
WHAT'S ON
Conferences
- Napoleon and Europe, 1800-1815, Oxford (UK), 7-9 March, 2009
Re-enactments
- Bivouac and the Battle of Oostmalle, Oostmalle (Belgium), 5-6 September, 2009
Exhibitions
- "Coinage at War. Catalonia in Napoleonic Europe", Barcelona, Spain [04/06/08 - 03/05/09]
Full details
- "The Crinoline Empire (1852-1870)", Paris, France [29/11/2008 - 26/04/2009]
Full details
- "The Eagle and the quill: the 'retour des manuscrits'", Paris, France [03/12/2008 - 01/03/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon III and the Romanian principalities", Bucharest, Romania [23/10/2008 - 01/02/2009]
Full details
- "Ben Weider Collection at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts", Montreal, Canada [Permanent]
Full details
- "Bonaparte and Egypt", Paris, France [14/10/2008 - 29/03/2009]
Full details
- "From Pompei to Malmaison", Rueil-Malmaison, France [22/10/2008 - 02/03/2009]
This exhibition has been extended until 2 March 2009.
Full details
<<
|
|
