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1805 - Napoleon and Francis I meet after Austerlitz
elverno
Posts: 1,068
In 1805 Napoleon crushed the combined Austrian and Russian armies at Austerlitz. It was arguably his most brilliant battle, taking advantage of the weather, the terrain and most importantly his opponents over confidence. This medal commemorates the rather humiliating meeting between Napoleon and Francis I of Austria at Urschutz shortly after the battle. His Russian allies were beating a hasty retreat for the borders and Francis was left to beg for his country.
This is the rare early version of the medal. The Droz obverse distinguished by its beaded circle and the date of 1806 (!) on the exergue didn't last very long in production. It was used for about 5 different medals but only the first hundred or so of each were struck before the dies cracked spectacularly. When they replaced the obverse it was the more familiar Andrieu engraving that dominated the Empire strikes.
I've been on the battlefield at Austerlitz in eastern Bohemia. It's very similar to what it was nearly 200 years ago; not withstanding the Russian (probably Czech now) radar station on one part of the site. Those who have stood on a battlefield know what I mean when I say that it was a sobering experience to stand on ground fought for by such men. I've had the same experience at Gettysburg.
This is the rare early version of the medal. The Droz obverse distinguished by its beaded circle and the date of 1806 (!) on the exergue didn't last very long in production. It was used for about 5 different medals but only the first hundred or so of each were struck before the dies cracked spectacularly. When they replaced the obverse it was the more familiar Andrieu engraving that dominated the Empire strikes.
I've been on the battlefield at Austerlitz in eastern Bohemia. It's very similar to what it was nearly 200 years ago; not withstanding the Russian (probably Czech now) radar station on one part of the site. Those who have stood on a battlefield know what I mean when I say that it was a sobering experience to stand on ground fought for by such men. I've had the same experience at Gettysburg.
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Are there more medals commemorating his defeats or his victories?
is that you end up being governed by inferiors. – Plato
karlgoetzmedals.com
secessionistmedals.com
<< <i>Are there more medals commemorating his defeats or his victories? >>
Good question! Of course if you collect British medals you'll see more of his defeats than with French... but the fact is there's such a wealth of material, at least 3,300 contemporary medals by all the contestants, that you can get anything you want. I'm particularly fascinated by the social and political medals but you simply can't escape that he was one of the most successful generals of all time. If you've read extensively about Waterloo you see why Wellington called it a "close run thing". There were about two or three other battles that he probably lost (Friedland, Aspern-Essling and Borodino come to mind) but in each case his opponents retreated rather than take their chances the next day. Of course he clearly lost Leipsig and many of the final battles of 1814 were toss-ups.
<< <i>SWEET! Excellent imaging job on this one too!! >>
Thanks! Though you guys make it hard to match your skills. Good thing digital cameras take lots of cheap pictures...
You want how much?!!
NapoleonicMedals.org
(Last update 3/6/2007)
09/07/2006
Dan
Shep
<< <i>Vern - That is a great medal - and great image - you and cosmic and cacheman are setting the bar up very high.
Shep >>
+1
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