Napoleon and Josephine Napoleon and Josephine By John Schneider Editor of Editor of Napoleonic Literature Napoleon became a general at a very young age and was put in a position of authority where the generals and almost all other officers he commanded were older than him. He felt that this wasn't a satisfactory situation and concluded that if he married a woman older than himself, he might claim to be older than he actually was and thereby obtain a little more respect from his officers. He also wanted to marry a rich, older woman. After the battle of Toulon and after saving the Directory from the Paris mob, Napoleon was invited to a party given by one of the Directors, Paul Barras. In effect, Barras was the next best thing to being king of France at the time. Barras envisioned using Napoleon's military talents for his own political and personal benefit. Barras also had at that time a mistress that he wanted to get rid of (Marie-Josephe-Rose de Beauharnais) because he had decided to take her best friend as his new mistress and couldn't afford to keep both. He knew that Napoleon was looking for a wife.

He therefore decided to marry his mistress off to Napoleon; however, he didn't tell her this. He just told her that he wanted her to entertain Napoleon at the party and show an interest in him and praise his military skills. Well, this was all Napoleon needed. A beautiful woman fawning over him, apparently well to do, a member of the old aristocracy that had escaped the guillotine, she was older than himself but not too much (he thought), and she displayed keen interest in him (he thought). This, and a little urging from Barras after the party, was all that Napoleon needed to pursue her hand in marriage. Barras assured Napoleon that she had money, that she was a good catch, and that she would make a perfect wife for him. Napoleon began to pursue Rose. By the way, he didn't like her name so he told her he would call her Josephine. He pursued and pursued and Josephine kept humoring him. Finally, Barras strongly advised her to marry Napoleon. She said she would not.

Then Barras told her that he had a new mistress, that he couldn't afford to maintain them both, that she was very expensive to maintain, and that if she didn't marry Napoleon he would stop providing for her and she would, in effect, be thrown out on the street. This was the one thing that Josephine couldn't bear. She was a compulsive spender. Another concern was her two children, Eugene and Hortense. Therefore, she gave in and agreed to marry Napoleon. By the way, she was much older than Napoleon thought and, although she said she was still of child bearing age, knew that she was barren and had been so for some time. They were married and a few days later Napoleon departed to Italy. He genuinely loved Josephine at this time. She despised him and thought he was a total bore. As soon as he was gone she began playing around on him. As time went on she had a string of lovers, pretended to miss him very much in response to his daily love letters, and did everything in her power to avoid going to join him in Italy as he was constantly urging. She even went so far as to pretend she was pregnant and couldn't travel.

All this time she was attending balls and parties and committing adultery. From time to time, when Napoleon begged her to join him, she required Barras' assistance to convince Napoleon that she should not go. During this time some of Napoleon's officers, Murat, for example, had returned to Paris for one reason or another and had occasion to attend one of Josephine's parties or a party that she attended. In Murat's case, Napoleon had sent him back to Paris with the express mission of escorting Josephine to Italy, willingly or unwillingly. This was when Josephine made up the pregnancy story, which Murat "took" back to Napoleon instead of Josephine. While in Paris, Murat also heard all the gossip about Josephine and how she was making a fool out of Napoleon. Finally, it got to the point where Napoleon was getting so edgy that Barras was afraid he would return to France and forget about the Italian Campaign. This didn't suit Barras because he was making a lot of money out of that campaign. So he ordered Josephine to go to Napoleon. She did. Napoleon expected a pregnant Josephine. When she arrived she explained to him that she had had a miscarriage.

He was torn with grief over losing his "son." Anyway, the Italian Campaign was finally over and Napoleon returned to Paris. Josephine had to be good (or at least try to be better) while he was there. Then Napoleon decided to go to Egypt. Barras thought this was a good idea because Napoleon was beginning to become too popular. When he left, Josephine went back to her old ways. Napoleon was still genuinely in love with her and doted over her. On 19 July 1798, while marching toward Cairo in the scorching sun, Bourrienne, Napoleon's Secretary, out of the corner of his eye, noticed Napoleon and Junot walking together. Bourrienne wrote, "I noticed Bonaparte walking alone with Junot. I was only a short distance away, but I do not know why my eyes fastened on him during that conversation. The general's pale face was paler than ever. His features were suddenly convulsed, a wild look came into his eyes, and several times he struck his head with his fists! Some fifteen minutes later, he left Junot and came toward me. I had never seen him so distraught, preoccupied.

As I went to join him, he burst out with: "You are not genuinely devoted to me, or you would have told me what I have just learned from Junot. There's a true friend for you. Josephine! And I six hundred leagues away! You should have told me! Josephine--this to have deceived me! Damn them, I shall exterminate that whole breed of fops and coxcombs! As for her, divorce! Yes divorce--a public divorce, open scandal! I must write immediately. I know everything. It's your fault, you should have told me!" Bourrienne reasoned the subject of the conversation between Junot and Napoleon, had no personal knowledge of this himself, and was certain that what Junot had stated to Napoleon must have been exaggerations of the truth. They were not. The fact is that many of Napoleon staff officers were aware of Josephine's activities and it was common knowledge in Paris. Junot, unlike the rest of Napoleon's close friends, never achieved the rank of Marshal of France but stopped at general. It is believed by many historians that Napoleon never forgave Junot for telling him about Josephine and for this reason withheld the rank of Marshal from him.

This information, once he confirmed it, totally destroyed Napoleon's love for Josephine. From this time onward, he never really loved another woman the way he had loved Josephine. When Josephine learned that Napoleon was coming back from Egypt early and that he had found out about her, she panicked. She departed with her daughter, Hortense, to meet Napoleon at the port so that she could persuade him that she had been faithful. But Napoleon landed at another port and got back to Paris ahead of them. When Josephine got back to Paris, she found that Napoleon had arrived ahead of her and had secluded himself in a room in the house. All of a sudden, after all of her affairs, Josephine had finally fallen in love with Napoleon--very deeply. But she was too late. He wouldn't see her until Hortense interceded and begged him to. Basically, he informed Josephine that she had killed his heart and that he could never love again. They remained husband and wife but from that point onward he was not a faithful husband. Strangely, she had become a faithful wife. The tables had turned. Napoleon had mistress after mistress.

Now, although Napoleon didn't live Josephine, he did hold a deep devotion to her two children and he respected her abilities as a hostess and her persuasiveness in getting people to do things for him. He knew that while he was married to Josephine he could not produce a legitimate heir of his own, so eventually, when Hortense and his brother Louis had a son, Napoleon named him his heir. Now that Napoleon had an heir he felt that he could divorce Josephine. Then, in December 1805, he became Emperor of the French. He brought the pope to Paris to perform the coronation. Shortly after the pope's arrival Josephine accidentally let it slip that she and Napoleon had never had a church wedding, only a civil marriage. In the eyes of the church, therefore, they were not married and had been living in sin all this time. Napoleon was furious. Josephine had trapped him. Now, in order to be crowned Emperor he had to make the marriage respectable first and had to lay aside the design for divorce. Time marches on and so do the French armies, triumphantly across Europe. Napoleon still wanted an heir of his own blood.

Therefore, he began negotiations with the Czar Alexander of Russia to marry his sister. This would serve three purposes: t It would create a strong alliance with another major power It would help to legitimize Napoleon's somewhat shaky claim to royalty, and It would give Napoleon a young wife whom could bear his heir. Negotiations soon fell apart. Napoleon's foreign minister, Talleyrand, did not want this alliance and made sure it wouldn't occur by leaking information concerning Napoleon to the Russian Court. The Czar's mother refused to let her daughter enter into the marriage. Therefore, Napoleon turned his sights on Austria. As you know, he arranged to marry Maria-Louisa (whom he renamed Marie Louise because he didn't like her real name), who was the Emperor of Austria's favorite daughter and an Archduchess of Austria. I won't go into Marie Louise except to say that she was not at all that Napoleon had expected. (There are books about her and maybe one of these days you can read about her and how much of a disappointment she was.) Anyway, to marry Marie Louise he first had to divorce Josephine, which he did.

However, he had grown to love her again--not the great love he held for her in the beginning--but a respectful love. He insisted that she retain the title of Empress and provided for her and her children. In 1814, when Napoleon abdicated, Marie-Louise returned to Austria with her father, taking her son with her. Napoleon never saw them again. Josephine continued to love Napoleon and later in the year, as she was dying from diphtheria, Napoleon's name was one of the last words she uttered, if not the last. Hortense and Eugene continued to be faithful to Napoleon. The marriage of Napoleon I and Marie-Louise of Austria - napoleon.org Home History of the Two Empires Timelines The marriage of Napoleon I and Marie-Louise of Austria The marriage of Napoleon I and Marie-Louise of Austria Period : Directory / 1st Empire facebook Russia or Austria? This timeline follows on from our “Divorce” timeline and forms part of our close-up on: the marriage of Napoleon I and Marie-Louise of Austria.

With the marriage between Napoleon and Josephine officially dissolved in January, 1810, Napoleon was free to continue his search for a new bride. A union with Russia was hindered by court opposition (particularly from Alexander’s mother, Maria Feodorovna), political indecision from Alexander and the young age of the one remaining Russian princess, Anna Pavlovna. The issue was, however, to prove even more complicated. Although Maria Feodorovna was anti-Napoleon in principle, she was aware of the advantages that could be gained from having Napoleon as an ally in a France-dominated Europe, the potential dangers of having Austria allied with France, and the effect that such a decision could have on public opinion back home in Russia. Thus, on 19 January, 1810, she wrote to Alexander to inform him that: “As a mother, I cannot wish nor desire this union. However, as it should not be considered from a mother’s perspective, but as a matter of State of the highest importance, it should be discussed and judged as such.

[…] All that the State can wish of me is the total abnegation of my maternal rights; in this (unique) case I must make this sacrifice to you and to [the State]: [the decision] on your sister’s fate belongs to no-one but you, my dear Alexander.” [Letter from Maria Feodorovna to Alexander I, 19 January, 1810, in Marie Martin, Maria Féodorovna en son temps (1759-1828): contribution à l’histoire de la Russie et de l’Europe, Paris, 2003] With his mother having removed herself from the picture, Alexander would be forced to make a decision. Whilst negotiations advanced little, Napoleon began to despair of any such union and the Austrian option was suggested. Feelers were sent out to measure the Austrian court’s receptiveness to a Franco-Austrian alliance. Towards the end of January, the French court was informed that Napoleon would not be refused if he were to ask for the Austrian emperor’s eldest daughter’s hand in marriage. Negotiations were begun but these discussions remained secret from everyone except those involved directly.

It would thus appear that there is a point in early 1810 at which negotiations were being pursued with both the Russian and Austrian courts. 21 January, 1810: On the anniversary of the death of Louis XVI, husband of Marie-Antoinette and Marie-Louise’s aunt, a privy council was called in the Emperor’s personal study. Those present included (in the order they spoke) Napoleon; Lebrun (Prince Arch-treasurer); Eugène ; Talleyrand ; Comte Garnier, Senate president; Comte de Fontanes, president of the Corps législatif; Duc de Bassano ; the Duc de Cadore ( Champagny, Minister of Foreign Relations ); the Prince de Neufchatel ( Berthier ); the King of Naples ( Murat ); and Cambacérès. Montalivet (the Interior Minister) was the final member involved (although Talleyrand includes Comte Mollien amongst those consulted, Mémoires du Prince de Talleyrand, 2007, p. 341).

According to Cambacérès’ memoirs, Napoleon opened by asking those present for their opinion on a new wife: “Internal politics not permitting me to choose a French bride, I wanted to place before you the considerations that could determine a preference, between three European princesses who appear to display the necessary qualities to sit upon the throne of France. ” Champagny read a report informing those assembled that the Emperor had drawn up a list of three potential princesses: Maria Auguste, Princess of Saxony; the Grand Duchess, Anna Pavlovna, the youngest sister of Alexander I; and Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria. All three royal houses had expressed an interest in forming an alliance with France. Champagny observed that Maria Auguste was no longer in the first blooms of youth (she would have been nearly 28 at the time) and that an alliance with Russia would involve numerous complications that might damage French traditions and customs: complications including prominently the demand that each palace have a Russian orthodox chapel and the open and free practice of Russian orthodoxy. With regards to Marie-Louise, Austria would request nothing more than what was agreed for the marriage of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.

The opinion of Lebrun was then solicited. This was a break from tradition for if a ‘prince of the blood’ was not present, Cambacérès should have been the next consulted. Cambacérès comments that this was not by accident. Lebrun, almost asleep and mumbling, was taken aback by the change in custom and said only “I am for the Saxon; she is from a good race.” Eugene next had his say, opting for the archduchess. Talleyrand was also in favour of Marie-Louise, without giving his reasons. Garnier opted for Maria-Auguste, while Fontanes also opted for Marie-Louise. The Duc de Bassano was also consulted; this was another extraordinary turn as the Secrétaire d’Etat never had a say in council. He agreed with Fontanes. Champagny confirmed his choice for Marie-Louise, an opinion that was shared by Berthier. A majority was thus reached before Murat was consulted, and he showed himself to be against the union with Austria.

Cambacérès spoke last: “As Your Highness is remarrying only for children, it seems appropriate to choose the princess most capable, through her age and constitution, of giving them to him. Concerning matters of State, I do not, however, think it favourable to the archduchess. Austria will never be to us anything other than a poorly reconciled enemy. Russia, through her geographical position, seems suited to an alliance with France. I believe that it would be better for us to smooth over the difficulties which appear to be preventing the Emperor’s marriage to a grand duchess of Russia, and that this union should be preferred above any other. ” Napoleon, who had remained silent during the deliberations of each of his ministers and advisers, thus announced: “I thank you, gentlemen, for the thoughts that you have expressed to me. I shall weigh them up in my chambers.

I remain convinced that whatever difference there is between you, every one of the opinions expressed was governed by a well-informed zeal, in the best interests of the State, and by a loyal dedication to my person.” Cambacérès wrote that he believed that the meeting had been set up and decided before hand, and that Eugene had been leaned on by Bassano and Talleyrand at Napoleon’s request. [Mémoires inédits : éclaircissements publiés par Cambaceres sur les principaux événements de sa vie politique, vol. II, Paris, Perrin, 1999, pp. 324-329] 22 January, 1810: Whilst a decision was being formulated in France, Marie-Louise wrote to Madamoiselle Poulet, a friend: “Since Napoleon’s divorce, I continue to open the Gazette de Francfort in the hope of finding an announcement of his new bride. I must admit that this delay has given me much cause for worry.

[…] If misfortune so wishes it, I am prepared to sacrifice my own happiness for the good of the State.” 27 January, 1810: Metternich wrote to his wife: “I consider this affair to be the most important that can possibly concern Europe at this time; I see in the Emperor’s choice the possible guarantee of an order that conforms as much to the general interest of the many peoples who, after such terrible and numerous shocks, hope for peace, as to the personal interests of this prince. [Letter from Metternich to his wife dated 27 January, 1810, in Mémoires, documents et écrits divers laissés par le Prince de Metternich, vol. II, p. 316] 6 February, 1810: Napoleon wrote to Champagny, outlining certain concerns with the Russian princess, namely her young age and thus perceived inability to conceive.

“[It has been] observed that Princess Anne [is] not yet mature [she would have been fifteen at the time]; occasionally it takes a couple of years for some girls to attain maturity having reached the marriageable age and the idea of waiting three years with no hope of conceiving a child goes against the intentions of the Emperor.” [Letter from Napoleon to Champagny dated 6 February, 1810, Correspondance de Napoléon Ier, Second Empire edition, n° 16,210] That same day, Napoleon wrote again to Champagny, seemingly decided against the Russian: “Tomorrow evening […] you will dispatch a letter to inform [the Russians] that I am decided in favour of the Austrian.” [Letter from Napoleon to Champagny dated 6 February, 1810, Correspondance de Napoléon Ier, Second Empire edition, n° 16,211] Napoleon makes his choice 15 February, 1810: Metternich announced to Marie-Louise that Napoleon wished to marry her.

She answered: “I want only what my duty commands me to want.” [quoted by Paul Ganière, “Marie-Louise d’Autriche” in Dictionnaire Napoléon, ed. Jean Tulard, p. 1140] That same day, the exchange of marriage ratifications/agreements took place in Vienna (news of which arrived in Paris on 6 March). 23 February, 1810: Napoleon wrote to Francis I , Emperor of Austria: “Monsieur mon Frère, I have dispatched my cousin the vice-connétable, Prince de Neuchâtel [Berthier], to ask Your Imperial Majesty for the Archduchess Marie-Louise, your daughter, in marriage. The great qualities that distinguish so eminently this princess, the valuable advantage that she has in belonging to You, makes me greatly desire this union.

I have been led to believe that Your Majesty would like to consent to it.” [Letter from Napoleon to Francis I dated 23 February, 1810, Correspondance de Napoléon Ier, Second Empire edition, n° 16287] 24 February, 1810: Berthier left for Paris for Vienna. 4 March, 1810: Berthier arrived in Vienna. 8 March, 1810: Maréchal Berthier asked Francis I for Marie-Louise’s hand in marriage on behalf of Napoleon. 9 March, 1810: Berthier and Metternich signed a marriage contract which set out Marie-Louise’s dowry (the equivalent of 400,000 Francs). She also renounced all claims to the Austrian crown’s kingdoms, provinces and territories, as well as 200,000 Florins worth of rings and jewels given to her by the Austrian Emperor. This was offset by 200,000 Écus worth of presents and jewels given to her by Napoleon.

Her dower came to a total of 500,000 Francs. 11 March, 1810, 5.30pm: Marie-Louise married Napoleon by proxy in Vienna, with Archduke Charles standing in for Napoleon. 13 March, 1810: Marie-Louise left Vienna for France. 16 March, 1810: the Austrian delegation arrived at the border between Austria and Bavaria, at Braunau-sur-Inn. There, Marie-Louise was met by Caroline, Queen of Naples and the Maréchal Lannes ‘ widow, the Duchess of Montebello. 20 March, 1810: Napoleon left Paris for Compiègne. 27 March, 1810: impatient, Napoleon met the party at Compiègne and spent the night with his new bride. 31 March, 1810: the couple received the imperial family and others (including Cambacérès). The marriage ceremonies 1 April, 1810: the civil marriage of Archduchess Marie-Louise of Austria and Napoleon took place in a second ceremony.

2 April, 1810: the religious ceremony was held in the chapel at the Louvre in Paris. See our page on the painting The religious marriage of Napoleon I and Marie-Louise in the Salon Carré at the Louvre, on 2 April, 1810 , by Georges Rouget for more details on the ceremony. 3 April, 1810: The imperial couple received congratulations and tributes from the Senate, Conseil d’Etat, the Italian Senate, the Corps législatif, ministers, cardinals, the Empire’s grand officiers, civil and military authorities, and the palace ladies, amongst others. New arrivals 10 May, 1810: Alexandre-Florian-Joseph, Comte Colonna Walewski, was born to Napoleon’s mistress, Marie Lontchinska, a Polish countess. 20 March, 1811: Napoléon François Charles Joseph Bonaparte was born to Napoleon and Marie-Louise. (H.D.W.

March 2010) Marie Louise Marie Louise Location of death: Parma, Italy Cause of death: unspecified Remains: Buried, Kapuzinergruft, Vienna, Austria Gender: Female Nationality: France Executive summary: Empress of France Marie Louise, second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte , was the daughter of Francis I, emperor of Austria, and of the princess Theresa of Naples, and was born on the 12th of December 1791. Her disposition, fresh and natural but lacking the qualities that make for distinction, gave no promise of eminence until reasons of state brought Napoleon shortly after his divorce of Josephine to sue for her hand. It is probable, though not quite certain, that the first suggestions as to this marriage alliance emanated secretly from the Austrian chancellor, Metternich. The prince de Ligne claimed to have been instrumental in arranging it. In any case the proposal was well received at Paris both by Napoleon and by his ministers; and though there were difficulties respecting the divorce, of Josephine, yet these were surmounted in a way satisfactory to the emperor and the prelates of Austria. The marriage took place by proxy in the church of St.

Augustine, Vienna, on the 11th of March 1810. The new empress was escorted into France by Queen Caroline Murat, for whom she soon conceived a feeling of distrust. The civil and religious contracts took place at Paris early in April, and during the honeymoon, spent at the palace of Compi�gne, the emperor showed the greatest regard for his wife. "He is so evidently in love with her", wrote Metternich, "that he cannot conceal his feelings, and all his customary ways of life are subordinate to her wishes.: His joy was complete when on the 20th of March 1811 she bore him a son who was destined to bear the empty titles of King of Rome and Napoleon II . The regard of Napoleon for his consort was evidenced shortly before the birth of this prince, when he bade the physicians, if the lives of the mother and of the child could not both be saved, to spare her life. Under Marie Louise the etiquette of the court of France became more stately and the ritual of religious ceremonies more elaborate. Before the campaign of 1812 she accompanied the emperor to Dresden; but after that scene of splendor misfortunes crowded upon Napoleon.

In January 1814 he appointed her to act as regent of France (with Joseph Bonaparte as lieutenant-general) during his absence in the field. At the time of Napoleon's first abdication (April 11, 1814), Joseph and Jerome Bonaparte tried to keep the empress under some measure of restraint at Blois; but she succeeded in reaching her father the emperor Francis while Napoleon was on his way to Elba. She, along with her son, was escorted into Austria by Count von Neipperg, and refused to comply with the entreaties and commands of Napoleon to proceed to Elba; and her alienation from him was completed when he ventured to threaten her with a forcible abduction if she did not obey. During the Hundred Days she remained in Austria and manifested no desire for the success of Napoleon in France.

At the Congress of Vienna the Powers awarded to her and her son the duchies of Parma, Piacenza and Guastalla, in conformity with the terms of the treaty of Fontainebleau (March, 1814); in spite of the determined opposition of Louis XVIII she gained this right for herself owing largely to the support of the emperor Alexander, but she failed to make good the claims of her son to the inheritance. She proceeded alone to Parma, where she fell more and more under the influence of the count von Neipperg, and had to acquiesce in the title "Duke of Reichstadt" accorded to her son. Long before the tidings of the death of Napoleon at St. Helena reached her she was living in intimate relations with Neipperg at Parma, and bore a son to him not long after that event. Napoleon on the other hand spoke of her in his will with marked tenderness, and both excused and forgave her infidelity to him. Thereafter Neipperg became her morganatic husband; and they had other children.

In 1832, at the time of the last illness of the Duke of Reichstadt, she visited him at Vienna and was there at the time of his death; but in other respects she shook off all association with Napoleon. Her rule in Parma, conjointly with Neipperg, was characterized by a clemency and moderation which were lacking in the other Italian states in that time of reaction. She preserved some of the Napoleonic laws and institutions; in 1817 she established the equality of women in heritage, and ordered the compilation of a civil code which was promulgated in January 1820. The penal code of November 1821 abolished many odious customs and punishments of the old code, and allowed publicity in criminal trials. On the death of Neipperg in 1829 his place was taken by Baron Werklein, whose influence was hostile to popular liberty. During the popular movements of 1831 Marie Louise had to take refuge with the Austrian garrison at Piacenza; on the restoration of her rule by the Austrians its character deteriorated, Parma becoming an outwork of the Austrian empire.

She died at Vienna on the 18th of December 1847. Father: Francis I (Emperor of Austria) Mother: Theresa of Naples History of Old: Sharing the "Story" in History: Napoleon's Wives Tuesday, July 17, 2012 Napoleon's Wives Napoleon was a brilliant military, political, and marriage strategist. Yes, marriage strategist. The famous Frenchman married twice - first to Josephine de Beaumarchais, a widow whose husband was murdered in the Reign of Terror, and then to Marie Louise, daughter of Austrian Emperor Francis I. Both of Napoleon's marriages were predominantly governed by political and social calculations. Napoleon and his first wife seem to have been motivated to marry by more than just love. Josephine de Beauharnais was a widow in search of a husband, father to her children, and a financier for her well-known shopping habit. In her relationships with the upper echelon of French society, Josephine was never able to satisfy all of her needs - until she met Napoleon, a major-general in the French Army. In Josephine, Napoleon saw a mother to his future heir and a public showpiece whom he could mold to his liking.

Napoleon began and ended his relationship with Josephine on his terms. He forced her to change her name from "Rose" to "Josephine" shortly after meeting her. Letters written between Napoleon and Josephine reveal sparks of love, but only amidst jealousy and a desire for control on the part of Napoleon. Perhaps his true emotions towards Josephine were expressed when she failed to bear him a son - and Napoleon proceeded to divorce her. This image of Napoleon and Josephine captures the spirit of their marriage. Once Napoleon was Emperor, his quest for a second marriage was governed totally by political savvy. Marie Louise was a pawn in the chess match being played amongst the leaders of Europe. Whereas Napoleon may have at least initially felt some attraction towards Josephine, he did not mince words regarding Marie Louise. Of his second wife he remarked, "I have married a womb." In fact, Napoleon was not even present for the marriage ceremony! Marie Louise's uncle represented Napoleon in the marriage which took place in Austria. Marie Louise's interest in the marriage was one of survival. She did not wish to disrupt the delicate transaction in which she was involved. Had she rebuffed Napoleon's proposal, she would have disgraced both her family and country.

Indeed, when Marie Louise was asked how she felt about Napoleon's proposal, she diplomatically responded: "I wish only what my duty commands me to wish." Napoleon's second marriage was a much cleaner transaction than his first - for both parties. Napoleon was now allied with Austria. He also got an heir. As for Marie Louise, she reportedly found Napoleon more attractive in person than in portrait. She even became Empress of the French Empire. When things went sour for Napoleon and he was exiled to Elba, Marie Louise was made Duchess of Parma. Additional Resources The Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise - Shannon Selin Contact The Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise The marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise, detail of a painting by Georges Rouget of the wedding held in the Louvre on April 2, 1810 Fancy a royal wedding? Napoleon Bonaparte and his second wife Marie Louise – the “good Louise” to whom he writes about their son in Napoleon in America – had three of them. They were married in a religious ceremony on March 11, 1810, though Napoleon was not present for the occasion.

They then had a civil wedding on April 1 and another religious wedding on April 2. Here’s a look at the festivities. Napoleon’s second wife In December 1809 Napoleon ended his marriage to his first wife Josephine because she could not provide him with an heir. He had already started to look for a new, fertile wife among the royal houses of Europe. He expressed interest in Grand Duchess Anna Pavlovna of Russia, the youngest sister of Tsar Alexander I, but the Tsar and his mother opposed the marriage. Napoleon also considered Princess Maria Augusta of Saxony, but – at 27 – she was getting on in years. The French Emperor settled on Archduchess Marie Louise, the 18-year-old daughter of Emperor Francis I of Austria , head of the House of Habsburg. Marie Louise was not keen on the idea. She had never met Napoleon, who was 22 years older than her and had recently been her country’s worst enemy. Also, her great-aunt Marie Antoinette had been guillotined when she was Queen of France.

On January 10, 1810, Marie Louise wrote to a friend, No one talks of anything but Napoleon’s divorce. I let them all talk and do not worry myself at all, only I pity the poor princess he chooses, for I am sure it will not be me who becomes the victim of politics. (1) On learning that she had become that “poor princess,” Marie Louise submitted obediently to her father’s wishes (see my post about Francis I ). Napoleon sent Marshal Berthier to Vienna to conclude the marriage on his behalf. On March 9, Berthier and Austrian Foreign Minister Clemens von Metternich signed the marriage contract, which was modeled after that of Louis XVI and Marie Antoinette. Marie Louise’s dowry, the equivalent of 500,000 francs, was presented to Berthier in rolls of gold ducats. Marie Louise formally renounced her right of succession to the Austrian crown.

Wedding in Vienna Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise by proxy, Vienna, March 11, 1810, hand-coloured engraving by and after Johann Hieronymus Löschenkohl On March 11, 1810, Marie Louise married Napoleon by proxy at the Augustinian church in Vienna. Her uncle Charles stood in for Napoleon. The procession set out through the rooms of the Palace, which were ornamented with hangings, chandeliers, and candelabra. Grenadiers were drawn up in a double line as far as the church. … The Archduke Charles, representing the Emperor Napoleon, and the Archduchess Marie Louise knelt on the prie-Dieu in front of the grand altar. The Archbishop having blessed the wedding ring, which was presented to him in a cup, the Archduke Charles and the bride advanced towards the altar, where the marriage was solemnised in the German language according to the Viennese rite. After the exchange of rings, the bride took that which it was her duty to present to her husband. A Te Deum was then sung, all present kneeling. Six pages bore flaming torches.

Salvoes of artillery thundered, and all the bells of the city informed the population that the marriage was accomplished. (2) The absence of the bridegroom did not dampen the festivities. The French ambassador wrote: The marriage of H.M. the Emperor with the Archduchess Marie Louise has been celebrated with unsurpassable magnificence, to which the preceding fêtes bore no comparison. The crowd of spectators from all parts of the Monarchy and abroad filled the church, and lobbies, and rooms of the Palace to such an extent that the Emperor of Austria, as well as the Empress, was put to inconvenience several times. The truly prodigious quantity of diamonds and pearls, the richness of the costumes and uniforms, the innumerable quantity of lustres which illuminated all parts of the Castle, and the joy of those present imparted to the fête a brilliancy worthy of the great and majestic solemnity…. [E]very eye was fixed…on that adored Princess who will soon make the happiness of our Sovereign. … In reply to my congratulations she said that she would use every endeavour to please H.M.

the Emperor Napoleon and to contribute to the happiness of the French nation, which, from that moment, had become her own. (3) Francis I held a grand banquet at the court. Free performances were given at all the theatres and there were illuminations through the city. Marie Louise was celebrated as the “new Iphigenia ,” sacrificing her happiness for the good of her people. There might have been a few satirical, or abusive placards stealthily displayed, but the police had taken care to remove them. Unfortunately the weather was sadly against the illuminations, and scarcely one out of every ten lamps remained lighted. (4) Two days later, Marie Louise left Vienna for Paris. She was accompanied by an Austrian entourage to the border between Austria and Bavaria. There, at Braunau am Inn, she was formally handed over to a French entourage that included Napoleon’s sister Caroline . Napoleon was waiting impatiently for Marie Louise in Compiègne. When her party neared the city on March 27, he rode out to meet them. He spent the night with his bride and they continued together to Paris.

Wedding at Château de Saint-Cloud Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise – the civil wedding ceremony held at Château de Saint-Cloud, April 1, 1810. Source: Bibliothèque nationale de France Though the ceremony in Vienna was sufficient “to render the marriage complete and irrevocable,” Marie Louise and Napoleon had two further wedding ceremonies in Paris, “a formality due to the nation over which the new sovereign came to reign.” (5) On Sunday, April 1, 1810, there was a civil wedding in the Apollo Gallery of the Château de Saint-Cloud . Imperial Arch-Chancellor Cambacérès presided. The entire court was present, filling the gallery and the Salon de Mars. Marie Louise was in full court dress and wore a crown set with diamonds. After the grand procession into the room, Napoleon and Marie Louise took their seats at the end of the gallery on two armchairs on a dais, surmounted by a canopy. At the foot of the dais, to one side, was a table covered with a rich cloth, on which were set an inkstand and the civil register.

The vows (for which the couple stood) were straightforward. Sire, does your Imperial and Royal Majesty declare that you take in marriage her Imperial and Royal Highness Marie Louise, Archduchess of Austria, here present? Napoleon answered, I declare that I take in marriage her Imperial and Royal Highness Marie Louise, Archduchess of Austria, here present. Marie Louise was posed the same question in respect of Napoleon, and gave the same response. Cambacérès said, In the name of the Emperor and the Law, I declare that his Imperial and Royal Majesty Napoleon, Emperor of the French, King of Italy, and her Imperial and Royal Highness the Archduchess Marie Louise are united in marriage. (6) The table was carried up to the royal couple so they could sign the register while seated. The marriage was announced with salvos of artillery at Saint-Cloud, repeated in Paris at the Invalides. After dinner, there was a theatre performance and the palace and park were illuminated.

Wedding in Paris The Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise by Étienne-Barthélémy Garnier The next day, Monday, April 2, the imperial couple rode to Paris in a procession led by the cavalry of the Imperial Guard, followed by other horsemen and their bands, heralds of arms, and many carriages. Napoleon and Marie Louise were in his gilded coronation coach, drawn by eight horses. They paused for speeches at the Arc de Triomphe. The bases of the arch, still under construction, were only about 20 feet high, but a full wooden mock-up had been hastily assembled and dressed in canvas for the occasion. The procession continued along the Champs-Élysées to the Tuileries Palace, where wedding guests had been kept waiting for about five hours in the Louvre. A chapel, complete with a silver-gilt altar, had been constructed in the Salon Carré . The Louvre’s director, Vivant Denon , protested in vain against the removal of paintings to make room for the seating. Napoleon’s uncle Cardinal Joseph Fesch presided over the religious ceremony.

Detail of the Wedding Procession of Napoleon and Marie-Louise of Austria through the Grande Galerie of the Louvre by Benjamin Zix A member of Napoleon’s Imperial Guard wrote: It is impossible to give any idea of all the grand preparations. In the great gallery of the Louvre, leading from the old Louvre to the chapel which is at the end of the pavilion of the Tuileries on the side next the Pont-Royal (the length of it is immense), there were three rows of benches to seat ladies and gentlemen. In the fourth row were fifty decorated non-commissioned officers placed at certain distances from each other with an iron rail in front, so as not to be pushed aside by the crowd. General Dorsenne…told the ladies that we were to serve as their knights, and have refreshments brought to them…. We each had to take charge of twenty-four on each side of us (forty-eight to each non-commissioned officer), and attend to all their wants. Large niches had been made in the thick wall to hold ninety-six canteens of all sorts of pleasant refreshments. These little movable cafés did a good business.

The dresses of the ladies were as follows: low behind, down to the middle of their backs, and low in front so that you could see half of their breasts; their shoulders and arms bare. And such necklaces and bracelets and ear-rings! They were covered with rubies and pearls and diamonds. You could see every variety of skin: oily skins, skins like mulattoes, yellow skins, and skins like satin. The old women carried boxes containing a supply of perfumes. I must say that I had never before seen the ladies of Paris, half naked, so near. I did not like it. The men were dressed in French fashion, all wearing the same costume: black coat, short breeches, steel buttons cut in the shape of a diamond. The trimming of their coats cost eighteen hundred francs. They could not present themselves at court without this costume. Cabs being forbidden that day, it is impossible to imagine the number of splendid equipages in front of the Tuileries. The magnificent procession started from the château, and moved on to the Louvre, then mounted the grand stairway of the Louvre, and entered the chapel of the Tuileries. The ceremony was very imposing.

The whole assembly remained standing, and the most solemn silence prevailed. The procession moved slowly. As soon as it had passed by. General Dorsenne called us together, marched us into the chapel, and formed us into a circle. We saw the Emperor on the right, kneeling upon a cushion decorated with bees, and his wife kneeling beside him to receive the benediction. After having placed the crown on his own head and on that of his wife, he rose, and sat down with her on a settee. Then the celebration of mass was begun…. The new Empress looked beautiful with her splendid diadem. The wives of our marshals [actually Napoleon’s sisters and sisters-in-law] carried the train of her robe, which dragged eight or ten feet upon the ground. She ought to have been proud to have such maids of honour in her suite. But it must be said that she was a beautiful sultana, that the Emperor looked very well pleased, and that her countenance was gracious.

(7) Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise – the religious wedding ceremony held at the Louvre, April 2, 1810, by Georges Rouget Marie Louise wore the same crimson velvet cloak that Josephine had worn for Napoleon’s coronation ceremony in 1804. Her wedding gown was made of silver tulle netting, embroidered with pearls and lamé. Her white satin slippers, embroidered with silver, were too small for her and hurt her feet (for more details, see “ Marie-Louise’s Wedding Outfit ” on Napoleon.org). She also found the diamond crown uncomfortably heavy. Afterwards, Napoleon, taking Marie Louise’s hand, stood with her on the balcony of the Pavilion de l’Horloge, to watch the march past of the Imperial Guard. A banquet was given in the theatre of the Tuileries. Napoleon, Marie Louise and the imperial family sat at a horseshoe-shaped table. The rest of the court stood and watched them eat, in the style of the ancien regime’s grand couvert . A concert was held beneath the windows of the palace.

This was followed by fireworks that extended the length of the Champs-Élysées (for more about the light display, see my article on illuminations and transparencies ). Throughout the day, music, games, acrobatics and other entertainments were offered in the public squares, along with barrels of wine. Festivities continued until late in the night. For Napoleon, the sole blot on the proceedings was that 13 of France’s 27 cardinals failed to attend the wedding. Their prominent empty seats drew attention to the cardinals’ doubt regarding the validity of the marriage, since Pope Pius VII had not declared Napoleon’s first marriage invalid. Napoleon stripped the offending cardinals of their robes, offices and estates, and told them to resume their attire as simple priests. They thus became known as the black cardinals. When they proved resistant to Cardinal Fesch’s efforts to reform their views, Napoleon had them imprisoned until the Pope was able to secure their release in January 1813. After so many weddings, one might wish the royal couple a long and happy married life. Sadly, this was not to be. Napoleon and Marie Louise spent four years together, then never saw each other again.

For more on that, see my article about Adam Albert von Neipperg, lover of Napoleon’s wife . You might also enjoy: Correspondance de Marie Louise, 1799-1847 (Vienna, 1887), p. 143. Imbert de Saint-Amand, The Memoirs of the Empress Marie Louise, 2nd Edition (London, 1886), pp. 143-145. Ibid., pp. 145-147. Ibid., p. 151. Louis Adolphe Thiers, History of the Consulate and the Empire of France Under Napoleon, translated by D. Forbes Campbell and John Stebbing, Vol. VII (Philadelphia, 1894), p. 68. Willem Lodewyk Van-Ess, The Life of Napoleon Buonaparte, Vol. VIII (London, 1813), p. 430. Jean-Roch Coignet, The Note-Books of Captain Coignet, Soldier of the Empire, edited by Jean Fortescue (New York, 1929), pp. 192-194.

2 commments on “The Marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise” vijaya kumar Napoleon & Marie Louise : the Emperor's second wife (Book, 2001) [WorldCat.org] Alan Palmer. Abstract: "Archduchesses have always been disastrous for France," Napoleon once remarked, yet in 1810 he married Archduchess Marie Louise, the 18-year-old daughter of his lifelong enemy, the Emperor of Austria. On January 5, 1810, she had read in the newspapers of the act of separation between Napoleon and his wife and wrote to her father, "I must admit, dear Papa, that I am very disturbed by this news." And to her friend Victoria de Poutet she wrote the next day, "I pity the unfortunate woman on whom his choice falls; that will certainly put an end to her fine days." Though their union was politically expedient, Napoleon lived happily and proudly with "my good Louise" until defeat sent him to Elba and she returned to Vienna, eventually becoming the sovereign of an Italian duchy. Alan Palmer gives the first detailed portrait of this extraordinary episode in Europe's history.

He traces the changing fortunes of France and Austria through the years of Napoleonic ascendancy and eclipse. By using extracts from Louise's letters and travel diaries, he throws light on the conflicting worlds and torn loyalties that perplexed France's young, and often courageous, Empress. Personal touches are many and amusing, as in Louisa's letters to her mother telling of their travels through sleet and rain and miles and miles of muddy roads. Overnight stops were made at wayside taverns ill-suited for families of distinction -- one evening there was an insect hunt in an infested bedroom, with the Louise claiming that she had swatted the largest bug of all, whom she dubbed "Napoleon." Alan Palmer also examines the controversial years in which their son was raised to manhood in Vienna while Louise, with her secret second family, reigned in Parma as a benevolent Duchess, whose cultural legacy has survived into the 21st century. - Jacket flap. After Napoleon and his first wife separated, the young daughter of the Emperor of Austria told her friend that she pitied his next wife, unaware that she would be Napoleon's second wife.

"By using extracts from Louise's letters and travel diaries, [the author] throws light on the conflicting worlds and torn loyalties that perplexed France's young, and often courageous, empress."--Jacket. Reviews Add a review and share your thoughts with other readers. Be the first. Add a review and share your thoughts with other readers. Be the first. Tags Add tags for "Napoleon & Marie Louise : the Emperor's second wife". Be the first. Similar Items schema:datePublished "2001" ; schema:description ""Archduchesses have always been disastrous for France," Napoleon once remarked, yet in 1810 he married Archduchess Marie Louise, the 18-year-old daughter of his lifelong enemy, the Emperor of Austria.

On January 5, 1810, she had read in the newspapers of the act of separation between Napoleon and his wife and wrote to her father, "I must admit, dear Papa, that I am very disturbed by this news." And to her friend Victoria de Poutet she wrote the next day, "I pity the unfortunate woman on whom his choice falls; that will certainly put an end to her fine days." Though their union was politically expedient, Napoleon lived happily and proudly with "my good Louise" until defeat sent him to Elba and she returned to Vienna, eventually becoming the sovereign of an Italian duchy. Alan Palmer gives the first detailed portrait of this extraordinary episode in Europe's history. He traces the changing fortunes of France and Austria through the years of Napoleonic ascendancy and eclipse. By using extracts from Louise's letters and travel diaries, he throws light on the conflicting worlds and torn loyalties that perplexed France's young, and often courageous, Empress. Personal touches are many and amusing, as in Louisa's letters to her mother telling of their travels through sleet and rain and miles and miles of muddy roads.

Overnight stops were made at wayside taverns ill-suited for families of distinction -- one evening there was an insect hunt in an infested bedroom, with the Louise claiming that she had swatted the largest bug of all, whom she dubbed "Napoleon." Alan Palmer also examines the controversial years in which their son was raised to manhood in Vienna while Louise, with her secret second family, reigned in Parma as a benevolent Duchess, whose cultural legacy has survived into the 21st century. - Jacket flap."@ en ; schema:description "After Napoleon and his first wife separated, the young daughter of the Emperor of Austria told her friend that she pitied his next wife, unaware that she would be Napoleon's second wife.

"By using extracts from Louise's letters and travel diaries, [the author] throws light on the conflicting worlds and torn loyalties that perplexed France's young, and often courageous, empress."--Jacket."@ en ; schema:description "Note on proper names -- Map section -- Prologue : 12 December 1791 -- Habsburg and Bourbon -- A Corsican scoundrel named Buonaparte -- Italy and beyond -- The making of empires -- 1805, Milan to Austerlitz -- Almost a Kaunitz -- Making a marriage -- We suit each other perfectly -- The torrent and the sponge -- Write to Papa Francois -- Fickle fortune -- A child no longer -- Apart -- The recluses of Schönbrunn -- Parma and St. Helena -- Viva Maria Luigi -- The good Duchess -- Epilogue : 12 December 1940 -- Genealogy tables."@ en ;

Question: What was the name of Napoleon I’s second wife?
Answer: Marie Louise