- Mar 2015
- 883
- Europe
Well, how many?
In beginning of year 1778, when France assailed British Empire to deprive Britain of her American colonies, after 15 years of peacetime, the muster roll of French marshals seems to have been:
Actually, no marshals were added during the war, and by 1783, nrs. 2, 6, 10 and 17 had died. But in 1783, after the war was over, 10 marshals were promoted, bringing the muster up to 23 until death of Harcourt later that year.
Napoleon I created, in 1804, 18 marshals (14 active and 4 retired). Plus one marshal of France was alive (Rochambeau).
In 1807, Napoleon promoted 1 (Victor) and Rochambeau died; muster 19 all of Empire;
in 1809, Lannes fell and 3 were promoted, muster 21;
1811-12 2 promotions, muster 23;
1813 1 promotion, 2 deaths;
1815 1 promotion, 4 deaths.
The number of living marshals of Napoleon I peaked at 23 thrice (from promotion of Saint-Cyr to fall of Bessieres; during the days Poniatowski was marshal; from promotion of Grouchy till death of Brune).
Now, at the accession of Napoleon III, December 1852, there were no marshals of Empire (Marmont having died in March). The muster was:
Juin was a marshal 1952 to 1967, and has been the last.
So: how many marshals should France have, seeing how Louis XVI had 23 in peacetime?
In beginning of year 1778, when France assailed British Empire to deprive Britain of her American colonies, after 15 years of peacetime, the muster roll of French marshals seems to have been:
- Tingry, promoted 1734
- Jean-Baptiste de Durfort, duke of Duras, 1741
- Clermont-Tonnerre, 1747
- Richelieu, 1748
- Biron, 1757
- Bercheny, 1758
- Contades, 1758
- Soubise, 1758
- Broglie, 1759
- Brissac, 1768
- Harcourt, 1775
- Noailles, 1775
- Nicolai, 1775
- Fitz-Janes, 1775
- Mouchy, 1775
- Emmanuel de Durfort, duke of Duras, 1775
- Saint-Germain, 1775
Actually, no marshals were added during the war, and by 1783, nrs. 2, 6, 10 and 17 had died. But in 1783, after the war was over, 10 marshals were promoted, bringing the muster up to 23 until death of Harcourt later that year.
Napoleon I created, in 1804, 18 marshals (14 active and 4 retired). Plus one marshal of France was alive (Rochambeau).
In 1807, Napoleon promoted 1 (Victor) and Rochambeau died; muster 19 all of Empire;
in 1809, Lannes fell and 3 were promoted, muster 21;
1811-12 2 promotions, muster 23;
1813 1 promotion, 2 deaths;
1815 1 promotion, 4 deaths.
The number of living marshals of Napoleon I peaked at 23 thrice (from promotion of Saint-Cyr to fall of Bessieres; during the days Poniatowski was marshal; from promotion of Grouchy till death of Brune).
Now, at the accession of Napoleon III, December 1852, there were no marshals of Empire (Marmont having died in March). The muster was:
- Reille, 1847
- Jerome Bonaparte, 1850
- Harispe, 1851
- Vaillant, 1851
- Saint Arnaud, 1852
- Magnan, 1852
- Castellane, 1852
- Vaillant
- Hilliers, 1854
- Randon, 1856
- Canrobert, 1856
- MacMahon, 1859
- Forey, 1863
- Bazaine, 1864
- Leboeuf, 1870
- Joffre, 1916
- Foch, 1918
- Petain, 1918
- Lyautey, 1921
- Esperey, 1921
- Fayolle, 1921.
Juin was a marshal 1952 to 1967, and has been the last.
So: how many marshals should France have, seeing how Louis XVI had 23 in peacetime?