Grand Dignitaries of the French Empire

The Grand Dignitaries of the French Empire (French: Grands Dignitaires de l'Empire Français) were created in 1804 by the Constitution of the Year XII, which established Napoleon Bonaparte, previously First Consul for Life, as Emperor of the French. The seven Grand Dignitaries broadly paralleled the Great Officers of the Crown which had existed under the Ancien Régime and were essentially honorific, although several limited functions were ascribed to them in the new constitution of the Empire. In the imperial nobility, the Grand Dignitaries ranked in status directly behind the Princes of France, although in practice, most Grand Dignitaries also held the title of Prince.

In 1807, two new dignitaries were created, a further two in 1809, and another in 1810, raising the final number to twelve. Many of the dignitaries were also members of the Imperial Family, with those that were not being high-ranking figures in the imperial administration. The Grand Dignitaries were abolished along with the First Empire in 1814 upon the Bourbon Restoration, the Great Officers of the Crown being reinstated, and were not restored under the Second Empire.

Grand Dignitaries of the Empire

Appointed in 1804

Jean de Cambacérès, Archchancellor of the Empire
Eugène de Beauharnais, Archchancellor of State
Charles-François Lebrun, Archtreasurer
Joseph Bonaparte, Grand Elector
Louis Bonaparte, Grand Constable
Joachim Murat, Grand Admiral
Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Grand Huntsman

Appointed in 1805

Joseph Fesch, Grand Almoner

Appointed in 1807

Coat of Arms of Marshal Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Prince of Wagram, with the attributes of Vice-Grand Constable of the Empire (the swords) and the crossed batons of a Marhal of the Empire.

Charles de Talleyrand-Périgord, Vice-Grand Elector
Louis-Alexandre Berthier, Vice-Grand Constable

Appointed in 1809

Camillo Borghese, Governor-General of the Departments Beyond the Alps
Elisa Bonaparte, Grand Duchess of Tuscany^[1]^[2]

Appointed in 1810

Charles-François Lebrun, Governor-General of the Departments of Holland

Gallery

References

^ H. A. L. Fisher, "The French Dependencies and Switzerland", in A. Ward et al. (eds.), Cambridge Modern History, IX: Napoleon (Cambridge, 1934), p. 399.
^ Jackson-Laufer, Guida Myrl:Women Rulers Throughout the Ages: An Illustrated Guide, ABC-CLIO, 1999, ISBN 978-1-57607-091-8, p 142

Bibliography

Nicole Gotteri (1990). Grands Dignitaires, Ministres et Grands Officiers du Premier Empire (in French). Nouvelles Éditions Latines. ISBN 2-7233-0411-6.
Jean F. Tulard (1989). Dictionnaire Napoléon (in French). French & European Publications, Incorporated. ISBN 0-8288-2491-6.
Guida Myrl Jackson-Laufer (1999). Women Rulers Throughout the Ages: An Illustrated Guide. ABC-CLIO. ISBN 978-1-57607-091-8.

External links

Constitution of the Year XII – Grand Dignitaries of the Empire

[1] H. A. L. Fisher, "The French Dependencies and Switzerland", in A. Ward et al. (eds.), Cambridge Modern History, IX: Napoleon (Cambridge, 1934), p. 399.

[2] Jackson-Laufer, Guida Myrl:Women Rulers Throughout the Ages: An Illustrated Guide, ABC-CLIO, 1999, ISBN 978-1-57607-091-8, p 142

[1]

[2]