[NAPOLEON I, (1769-1821). Emperor of the French.]
Invitation signed by the secretary of state, H[ugues]B[ernard] Maret [later duc de Bassano] in Napoleon's name, summoning Monsieur Prud'homme, President of the canton of Rosoy in the departement of Aisne to his coronation.
1 page folio in French, Saint Cloud, 24 Brumaire an 13 [15 November 1804].
Coronation invitations generally followed an elaborate, formal pattern. However, one can clearly see in the wording of Napoleon's summons to his coronation touches of his very effective, if slightly theatrical, reaching out to the people of France.
Trans: ". . . Divine providence and the Constitution of the Empire having placed the hereditary Imperial Dignity in our family, we have desginated the eleventh day of the month of frimaire next for the Ceremony . . . we would have liked, on this august occasion, to assemble in one place the universality of Citizens who make up the French nation. However, as it is impossible to achieve such a thing which would have been so dear to our Heart; desiring that these solemnities gain their main luster from the gathering of the most distinguished Citizens . . . we are writing to you that you may be in Paris about the 7th of the month of frimaire next [29 November 1804], and to announce your arrival to our Master of Ceremonies . . ."
The coronation took place on 2 December 1804. Napoleon did indeed place the crown on his own head but, contrary to the myth which has grown around this event, it was not a spontanous act, but one which had been fully discussed and agreed in advance with the Pope.
The document is signed with a large, elaborate, secretarial signature "Signe, Napoleon", with Maret signing below.
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