fmd_753683 - 40 francs or Napoléon tête laurée, Empire français 1811 Paris F.541/6

PREMIER EMPIRE / FIRST FRENCH EMPIRE

(18/05/1804-6/04/1814)

Napoleon names his brothers Joseph king of Naples and Louis, king of Holland. The Holy Roman Empire was dissolved and replaced by the Confederation of the Rhine, of which Napoleon was appointed Protector on August 1, 1806. A series of major works began in the capital: construction of the Church of the Madeleine, which was to become the Temple of glory ; construction of the triumphal arches of the Carrousel in the Tuileries Palace and of the Star, which will be completed only in 1840. The fourth coalition formed by England, Prussia, Russia and Sweden is a failure. Napoleon defeats the Russo-Prussians at Jena and Auerstadt on October 14. He entered Berlin on October 27 and Murat took Warsaw on November 27. On November 21, Napoleon instituted the Continental Blockade which aimed to stifle England. He crushes the Russians at Eylau on February 8 and at Friedland on June 14. Tsar Alexander I signs peace at the Treaty of Tilsitt on June 25, 1807. Alexander I adheres to the Continental Blockade and Prussia is dismembered. On July 22, the Grand Duchy of Warsaw was created. Jerome becomes king of Westphalia. Junot takes Lisbon on November 30, 1807.