| |
| |
EDITORIAL
Napoleonica. La Revue, issue n° 5
Napoleonica. La Revue continues its adventure. This latest issue, the fifth thus far, takes the reader across the continent, to the very edges of Grand Empire Europe. Taking his cue from Frederick J. Turner's work on the "frontier" in American history, Michael Broers investigates the unity of the Napoleonic Empire. In his article, he proposes that French domination in Europe should be considered not only in geographical terms, but also in terms of the extent of administrative integration and the degree to which French sovereignty was accepted by the local elites. In doing so, he offers a broader, far more nuanced, view of the Imperial domain. Elsewhere, Alain-Jacques Czouz-Tornare and Olivier Varlan take us beyond the borders of the Empire in its strictest sense. The former visits Switzerland, profoundly reorganized by the 1803 Act of Mediation, where the citizens were encouraged to take the first step towards a federal regime, a system that they would adopt for good in 1848. The latter travels to Russia during the Caulaincourt embassy. Considering an oft-neglected aspect of international relations history, Varlan offers a prosographical study of a diplomatic corps often overshadowed by the work of ambassadors but that nevertheless played an integral role in diplomacy. Leaving Eastern Europe and moving west, Marc Oudinot delves into General Oudinot's memoirs from the Portugal campaign of 1810-1811. Finally, we return to the hexagon with a fascinating study of the Banque de France's financial policies. Working from previously unpublished archives, Emmanuel Prunaux retraces the history of the first "comptoirs d'escompte", created in 1809 in Rouen, Lyon and Lille. This work, the second part of which will be published in the next issue of Napoleonica. La Revue, is not simply an addition to the history of French financial institutions. Rather, it throws new light on the economic history of France, from the crisis of 1810 through to the regime's collapse in 1814.
Patrice Gueniffey
|
|
|
| |
OBJET D'ART OF THE MONTH
Luxury sword given by the First Consul to General Ney
With a "German-style" hilt and an "oriental-style" blade and scabbard, thus combing two styles that were particularly popular at the start of the Consulate, this sword is unusual but nevertheless authentic.
During the Egyptian campaign, it became the trend for French officers to adopt oriental side-arms. These swords were often "taken" from combat, such as with the famous Mamluk horsemen, or otherwise simply purchased in one of the many souqs in Cairo. These blades made it back from Egypt in baggage belonging to Republican officers, which explains how the Versailles arms manufactory was able to obtain a number of examples of these swords to use as models for their own limited-number luxury and ceremonial arms destined for important military figures.
|
|
|
| |
NAPOLEONICA. LA REVUE
Issue n° 5 out now
The lastest issue of Napoleonica. La Revue, the Fondation Napoléon's online multidisciplinary review, is out now. Taking a pan-European view of Napoleonic events, this issue includes articles on the French diplomatic corps in Russia, the reforms instituted in Switzerland between 1801 and 1803, the idea of 'frontiers' in Napoleon's Europe, General Oudinot's memoirs of the campaign in Portugal and Spain between 1810 and 1811, and part one of a study of the Banque de France's "comptoirs d'escompte". As always, these articles are available individually at 7 € each; alternatively, you can take out an annual subscription, giving you access to all the articles published in this issue, for 60 €.
|
|
|
| |
NAPOLEON.ORG
Summer selection
The summer is well and truly here in Paris, and the Fondation Napoléon is at hand with our Summer Selection 2009 to keep you occupied during the next two months of sun (unless of course you're reading this in the southern hemisphere, in which case think of it more as a winter selection to keep you occupied on those long winter nights). We have books of all descriptions - reference books, general history, biographies, diaries, history-inspired fiction and even (although not technically books) interactive media - so there's no excuse to be bored while we're away.
|
|
|
| |
WHAT'S ON
Summer exhibitions
As this is the last bulletin until 11 September, we thought that we would flag up a few exhibitions taking place over the summer that will have come to an end by the time we're back from our holidays.
On the other side of the world, The Satirical Eye: comedy and critique from Hogarth to Daumier (Melbourne, Australia), runs until 26 July.
Three American exhibitions, Napoleon III and Paris (New York, USA), Napoléon (Philadelphia, USA), and Napoleon and Eugenie (Roslyn Harbor, USA), all run until 7 September.
Imperial Splendour (Manderen, France), organised by the Conseil Général de la Moselle in partnership with the Fondation Napoléon, runs until 31 August.
And finally, the first weekend of September (5-6 September, 2009) plays host to the Bivouac and the Battle of Oostmalle re-enactment event in Oostmalle, Belgium.
|
|
|
| |
200 YEARS AGO
Unfinished business: the Fifth Coalition lives on
On 20 July, 1809, Napoleon issued his orders to Lefebvre regarding Andreas Hofer and the continuing insurrection in the Tyrol: "I want you to be in Innsbruck by 1st August. No remonstrating, be harsh. Disarm the country, take a large number of hostages, and make examples." [Correspondance de Napoléon Ier, vol. XIX et XX, n° 15559, 20 July 1809, pp. 267-268]
On 23 July, Archduke Charles resigned his command of the Austrian troops. By 1 August, Lefebvre had retaken Innsbruck, by now abandoned by the Tyrolese who had learned of the armistice and Austria's defeat. The French were not to have it all their own way however: having been ambushed attempting to push south into the Eisack valley, troops under Rouyer and Lefebvre were forced to retreat on 10 August. On 13 August, 1809, Andreas Hofer recaptured the Bergisel, the large hill to the south of Innsbruck. The French troops, faced with a lack of supplies and munitions, had no option but to leave the city and retreat back on. On 15 August, Andreas Hofer became "regent of the Tyrol" in the name of the Austrian Emperor. However, his "regency" would be beset by problems and by October, following the Treaty of Schonbrünn, French and Bavarian troops were once again pouring into the Tyrol. On the same day that the Tyrolean innkeeper became regent, Napoleon handed out titles and decorations to his victorious generals: Davout became Prince d'Eckmühl, Masséna was named Prince d'Essling, Berthier received the title of Prince de Wagram and Fouché the Duc d'Orante.
Meanwhile, the British launched themselves into the conflict taking place on the continent. On 29 July, 1809, a British naval force set out for Walcheren, then an island at the mouth of the Scheldt estuary. The Walcheren expedition would be an almost unmitigated disaster; Britain lost thousands of troops to malaria, contracted in the swampy island of Walcheren. The failure gave rise to the popular saying "a Walcheren expedition": a well-devised scheme, which is nevertheless ruined by the stupidity of the agent chosen to carry it out. On 15 August, British forces captured Flushing (Vlissingen), on the island of Walcheren, but by September, the expedition had been abandoned and the British withdrew, having suffered substantial losses but faced little combat.
Spanish affairs
Whilst Napoleon was in eastern Europe, tying up the Austrian campaign and seeking to put down the insurrection in the Tyrol, the conflict in Spain continued. On 28 July, 1809, British troops under Wellington were victorious on the field at Talavera. Despite this battlefield victory, Wellington became aware of Maréchal Soult's march south to cut off his retreat and so, having eventually realised that he could not match the French for numbers, resolved to return to Portugal. At Puente del Arzobispo, on 8 August, troops under Soult and Caulaincourt defeated the Spanish rear-guard that was protecting Wellington's retreat but could not prevent the British from reaching Portugal. A few days later, on 11 August, the Battle of Almonacid took place. French troops under Sébastiani defeat Venegas' Spanish force, thanks in part to a Polish light cavalry charge. With the British back in the Portugal, the campaign to remove the French from Madrid was over for the moment. Wellington turned his attention to fortifying Lisbon and improving the Portuguese defences.
Elsewhere in Europe
On 19 and 20 August, 1809, the Finnish War was drawing to a close with the Battles of Sävar and Ratan (the last battles to be fought on Swedish soil). The war, fought between Sweden and Russia, concerned Sweden's relationship with Britain, King Gustav IV Adolf's refusal to close his Baltic ports to foreign (and therefore British) vessels during the Anglo-Russian war and Russia's desire to seize Finland. The twin battles of Sävar and Ratan were however inconclusive: although a Russian victory, pyrrhic at best, could be declared, the Russians nevertheless were forced to retreat, having lost too many men and advanced too far into Swedish territory. These battles were to be the last in the war. On 17 September, 1809, Russia and Sweden signed a peace treaty (the Treaty of Fredrickshamn). Finland was ceded to the tzar, but the previous two battles ensured that Sweden held onto territory upto the Tornio and Muonio rivers.
150 YEARS AGO
The Italian campaign: epilogue
On 17 July, 1859, following the end of the campaign in Italy, Napoleon III arrived back at Saint-Cloud, where he was met by the Empress and the Prince Imperial. By 21 July, French troops had begun returning home from Italy. Divisions from the 1st, 3rd and 4th and the entire 5th corps were nevertheless instructed to remain in the region as a safeguard. The 5th had been under the command of the Prince Napoleon, who took it as a slight that his troops would not be able to participate in the triumphal parade in Paris planned for the 14 August. The Moniteur of 14 August even went as far as to print a message on behalf of the Emperor explaining his decision and assuring the Prince that it was not intended as a snub and that the absent troops would not be forgotten.
Meanwhile, in Italy, Victor-Emmanuel announced on 31 July that a statue commemorating the victory at Solferino would be erected on the battlefield. A week later, on 6 August, peace talks at Zurich between the Austrian, French and Piedmontese representatives were due to start. However, these discussions would be long and drawn out, eventually rubber-stamping the armistice signed in July but ignored by the Piedmontese. The situation remained uncertain and elections across the region, often organised or influenced by Piedmontese officials, saw an increasing number of states join Victor-Emmanuel's kingdom. On 12 August, the Tuscan general assembly voted to depose Leopold II and join Piedmont. Shortly after, the assembly in Modena voted a similar step.
Back in Paris, on 14 August, the much anticipated triumphal parade for Napoleon III's took place. A day later, on 15 August, Napoleon announced a general amnesty for all those who were opposed to the coup d'Etat of 2 December, 1851: Louis Blanc and Victor Hugo would however reject the offer. This amnesty was to be the beginning of the "Liberal Empire". The day of 15 August was also the Saint-Napoléon, which was proclaimed as the fête de Napoléon III in Italy and celebrated in Rome, Milan, Turin, Genoa, Modena, Florence and Parma in honour of the French participation in the war.
Elsewhere in the world
On 27 August, 1859, Edwin Drake completed the first oil drilling in United States, in Titusville, Pennsylvania. This was to be the birth of the modern oil industry.
The letter is taking a well-deserved holiday, so the next bulletin will arrive in your inboxes on 11 September, 2009. Don't forget that there's still plenty to read, investigate and check out on www.napoleon.org, so you won't be bored over the next two months.
Wishing you an excellent "Napoleonic" summer (or indeed winter), and see you in September...
Peter Hicks & Hamish Davey Wright
Historian and web-editor
THE NAPOLEON.ORG BULLETIN, N° 507, 17 July – 10 September, 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
Summer opening times:
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: 1.30pm-6pm
(Closed Monday and Friday)
THE MAGAZINE
Book of the month
- La Correspondance générale de Napoléon Bonaparte, Volume 6: "Vers le Grand Empire"
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
Press review - Souvenir du Maréchal Davout: mobilised against Auerstaedt road project
WHAT'S ON
Conferences
- Napoleon and the United States, Rome (Italy), 25 September, 2009
- Napoleon, the Empire and the heritage of the Enlightenment, Ferny-Voltaire and Divonne-les-Bains (Switzerland), 9-10 October, 2009
- Napoleonic Association conference 2009, Southampton (UK), 10 October, 2009
- Australian Napoleonic Congress, Goulburn (Australia), 31 October - 1 November, 2009
Commemorations
- Bicentenary of the Illyrian Provinces- Haydn 2009
- Bicentennial commemoration of the death of Maréchal Lannes
Re-enactments
- Bivouac and the Battle of Oostmalle, Oostmalle (Belgium), 5-6 September, 2009
Festivals
- Napoleon Festival 2009, Sarzana (Italy), 24-27 September, 2009
Film screenings
- Dinner and screening of "Le Colonel Chabert", Cendrieux (France), 21 July, 2009
Exhibitions
- "Jean Lannes, Maréchal of France, national hero", Lectoure & Valence-sur-Baïse, France [14/07/09 - 20/09/09]
Full details- "The Description of Egypt", Paris, France [17/06/09 - 21/09/09]
Full details
- "Napoleon says: Illyria arise!", Ljubljana, Slovenia [12/05/2009 - 31/10/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon III and Paris", New York, USA [09/06/2009 - 07/09/2009]
Full details
- "Napoléon", Philadelphia, USA [29/05/2009 - 07/09/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon Bonaparte and Egypt: fire and light", Arras, France [16/05/2008 - 19/10/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon. His opponents, his admirers, and the sacrifice", Marchegg, Austria [04/04/2009 - 18/10/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon in Traiskirchen", Möllersdorf, Austria [04/03/2009 - 24/12/2009]
Full details
- "The Satirical Eye: comedy and critique from Hogarth to Daumier", Melbourne, Australia [27/02/2009 - 26/07/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon and Corsica", Corte, France [20/06/2009 - 30/12/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon and Eugenie", Roslyn Harbor, USA [07/06/2009 - 07/09/2009]
Full details
- "Imperial Splendour", Manderen, France [15/03/2009 - 31/08/2009]
Full details
- "Napoleon, Commander, Emperor and Genius", Schallaburg, Germany [16/05/2009 - 01/11/2009]
Full details
- "With Napoleon in Egypt: the Drawings of Jean-Baptiste Lepère", Cologne, Germany [02/10/2009 - 10/01/2010]
|
