It will run through the beginning of the Capetian dynasty to nowadays and will focus on everything related to France and its history.
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DOUBLE FLINTLOCK AND MATCHLOCK GUN
- Dated 1636
- Author : François Duclos
As a keen firearms enthusiast who was fascinated by technology, Louis XIII (1601-1643) put together an exceptional weapons cabinet during his reign. The King protected the best arquebusiers of the kingdom, who lived within the Louvre Palace, and he placed commissions with masters such as Le Bourgeois and François Duclos, the author of this piece from 1636. This was one of the first weapons to have a flintlock mechanism.
Still in its infancy, the flintlock mechanism (to the right of the gun lock) is accompanied by a matchlock system (to the left) which is less innovative (visual 2). This ingenious device made it possible to fire two shots in a row from the same barrel. This gun is very technically advanced and is a real masterpiece of ornamentation. When working on this royal commission, François Duclos displayed his virtuosity in varied decorative techniques such as gilding, engraving, chasing, blue finishing and damascene.
The curled butt is adorned with a bronze bust of Minerva (visual 3), while a surface-mounted brass decoration is attached close to the breech tang (visual 4). At the centre, a figure representing Justice - wearing a blindfold - leans on the “L” of the sovereign’s name, accompanied by a cartridge bearing a Latin inscription addressed to Louis XIII, which translates as: “Oh Louis, this blind thing has let you out of its sight”.
Coronation sword and scabbard of the Kings of France
- Also known as: “La Joyeuse”, “Sword of Charlemagne”
- Dated: 10th-11th centuries (pommel), 12th century (cross-guards), 13th century (spindle) and 19th century
- Culture: French
- Found: Treasury of the Abbey of Saint-Denis, France
- Medium: Gold, steel, glass beads, gilt silver, cabochons, gemstones, embroidered velvet
- Measurements: H. 1.05 m; W. 0.22 m
The coronation sword of the Kings of France entered the collections of the Louvre following the French Revolution, together with the other ceremonial items previously held in the treasury of the abbey of Saint-Denis. With some of the ornaments on the pommel dating as far back as the tenth and eleventh centuries, this sword is one of the oldest surviving examples of French regalia.
- Regalia
Kept in the royal abbey of Saint-Denis, items of regalia were used during the coronation ceremonies of the Kings of France, which took place at Reims. In the first part of the celebration, the king received the insignia of knighthood, consisting of spurs and the sword. Throughout the rest of the ceremony, the sword was entrusted to the “Connétable”, who held it with the blade pointing upwards. The treasury of Saint-Denis possessed several medieval swords, but of these only the one in the Louvre seems to be the celebrated “Joyeuse”.
- “La Joyeuse”
The sword of Charlemagne is the only one known to have served as the coronation sword of the Kings of France. Dubbed “La Joyeuse”, it was already celebrated in early medieval “chansons de geste.” It is possible that it was first used for the coronation of Philippe Auguste in 1179, but it is first mentioned at the coronation of Philippe III the Bold in 1271.
- Different techniques, different periods
The sword is composed of a great variety of elements. Both sides of the pommel are decorated with a repoussé motif representing birds affrontee, similar to Scandinavian ornaments of the tenth and eleventh centuries. The two cross-guards, in the form of stylized winged dragon figures, can be dated to the twelfth century. The gold spindle, covered with a diamond net pattern, seems to be from the thirteenth or fourteenth century.
The scabbard, a long velvet sheath embroidered with fleur-de-lis, was added much later, for the coronation of Charles X in 1825. The oldest elements of this scabbard are, on the one hand, the large metal plate adorned with gemstones mounted on filigree bezels, characteristic of the second half of the thirteenth century, and, on the other hand, the buckle and buckle plate. Despite these extensive additions and alterations, the sword remains a valuable example of the magnificent regalia used for the coronation of the Kings of France.
Sword Pommel with the Arms of Pierre de Dreux
- Dated: circa 1240–50
- Culture: French
- Medium: Copper, gold, enamel, iron
- Measurements: Horizontal diameter, 2 5/16 in. (6 cm) Vertical diameter, 2 7/16 in. (6.1 cm) Thickness at center, 7/16 in. (1.1 cm) Thickness at base: 1/2 in. (1.2 cm) Weight, 8 oz. (226.8 g)
This sword pommel is decorated with the arms of Pierre de Dreux, Duke of Brittany and Earl of Richmond (circa 1190–1250), who was captured during the Seventh Crusade at the Battle of al-Mansurah in Egypt on February 8, 1250. He was later ransomed and released, but died during his return to France.
Small artillery model given to the King by the Parliament of Franche-Comté © Paris - Army Museum, Dist. RMN-Grand Palais / Pierre Mérat
This small artillery model was given to Louis XIV by the Parliament of Franche-Comté in 1676. This remarkably well-executed piece depicts an important step in the formation of the territory of France. The attachment to France of Franche-Comté, which until then had been owned by the King of Spain, only became effective in 1678, with the signing of the Nimègue peace treaty, which put an end to the Dutch War (1672-1678). For the dignitaries of Franche-Comté, this gift was a way of showing their attachment to the King.
The cannon is the work of the engraver Laurent Ballard. Made of gilded bronze, it is richly adorned from the breech to the mouth. All the iconography glorifies the Sun King. On the barrel, Louis XIV is depicted dressed as a Roman Emperor, surrounded by laurels (visual 2). At the end of the barrel is a decoration of trophies (drums, armour, weapons) above the coat of arms of the kingdom of France, topped by the royal crown and decorated with the necklaces of the orders of Saint Michael and the Holy Spirit.
On the first support, we see depictions of the sieges of Besançon (visual 3) and Dôle, the two main cities of Franche-Comté. On each one, Louis XIV appears as head of the armies, on horseback, with his commanding baton.
A lion issant holding a ball is depicted on the breech (visual 4). The carriage, made of fruit tree wood and gilded brass, is decorated with fleurs de lys and royal suns. It fits in with the technical and iconographic richness of this small decorative cannon, a celebration of the King.
Unusual Museum of Taxidermy and Hunting
Every seeker of the unusual loves a good taxidermy museum and there are plenty of places in Paris that you can admire such zoological displays, however none of them host as theatrical and astonishing a display as the Musée de la Chasse et de la Nature (Museum of Hunting and Nature) in Paris. Installed in two 18th century private mansions. The museum advocates for respectful hunting practices, wildlife preservation and ecological consciousness.
Arranged as a Wunderkammer, each room of the labyrinth houses are dedicated to a specific animal. Deer, wild pig, rabbit, birds of prey, they all have their own place. The genuine aspect of the museums work however is that each creatures appears where you least expect them, surprising you by their lifelike presence in a setting mixing baroque furniture, paintings, and cabinets of curiosities you’re encouraged to open and play with.
Partisan of the Gardes de la Manche, 1679 © Army Museum, Dist. RMN photo Pascal Segrette
The Gardes de la Manche (literally “guards of the sleeve”) were the closest guards to the King, so close they touched his sleeve. In 1679, they were given new tabards and weapons. The Herculean symbolism, inherited from Henry IV, was replaced in their decorations by the solar symbolism adopted by Louis XIV circa 1662.
Indeed, the iron of the partisans represents the world (a globe) above which flies a chariot driven by Mars, the god of war (the King). This chariot, drawn by four horses, crushes the eagle (the Holy Empire) and the lion (often associated with England but representing Spain in this context). The King is crowned with the victor’s laurels by an allegory of Renown, under the radiant sun surrounded by the motto NEC PLURIBUS IMPAR.
Jean Bérain (1640-1711) was entrusted with making these weapons. In 1675, he began designing the costumes and decorations for the events - carrousels, funerals as well as parties and operas - held at the Court of France.
Gold Encrusted French Smallsword
- Dated: 18th century
- Measurements: blade 29 3/4”
The sword is made of chiseled steel decorated with thick gold accents representing helmets, spears, bows and arrows, floral, armor and other war regalia. Although the scabbard is new, the mounts appear to be original to the sword with exception of scabbard tip. The blade carries a French inscription that translates as “Win or Die.”
Source & Copyright: Historical Arms & Armor
Farewell, my wife, farewell, Marie,
I am going with Rosalie.
You stand, you weep, you look at me—
But you know the rights of Rosalie,
And she calls, the mistress of men like me!
I come, my little Rosalie,
My white-lipped, silent Rosalie,
My thin and hungry Rosalie!
Strange you are to be heard by me.
But I keep my pledge, pale Rosalie!
On the long march you will cling to me
And I shall love you, Rosalie;
And soon you will leap and sing to me
And I shall prove you, Rosalie;
And you will laugh, laugh hungrily
And your lips grow red, my Rosalie;
And you will drink, drink deep with me.
My fearless flushed lithe Rosalie!
Farewell, O faithful far Marie,
I am content with Rosalie.
She is my love and my life to me.
And your lone and my land—my Rosalie!
Go mourn, go mourn in the aisle, Marie,
She lies at my side, red Rosalie!
Go mourn, go mourn and cry for me.
My cry when I die will be ‘Rosalie!’
@credits (pretty interesting link)
The coronation of Napoleon as Emperor of the French, which took place on Sunday December 2, 1804 (11 Frimaire XIII according to French Republican Calendar), has been said to mark “the instantiation of modern empire”, representing a “transparently masterminded piece of modern propaganda”. On May 18, 1804, the Sénat conservateur vested the Republican government in an Emperor, and preparations for a coronationfollowed. Napoleon’s elevation to Emperor was overwhelmingly approved by the French citizens in a referendum. Among Napoleon’s reasons for coronation were the prestige in international royalist and Catholic milieux and the foundation for future dynasty.
One of Napoleon’s Swords
- Sold in an auction in Fonteinebleau, France in 2007 for $6.4m
- The sword was declared a national treasure in 1978
The inspiration for this sword’s design is said to have come during Napoleon’s Egyptian campaign. He noticed that the swords used by the Arabs, which were also curved, were very effective in cutting off the heads of their French enemies.
After the battle in Italy, Napoleon gave the sword to his brother as a wedding gift and it was then passed down the family through the generations. It belonged to eight of the emperor’s descendants, was believed to be the last of Napoleon’s blades in private hands.
Source & Copyright: Swords & Armour
