6 curious facts about the general of Napoleon - Gascon, who hated the monarchy, and himself became king

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

This boy was born in the French province in the family of an ordinary unborn notary. He could not even dream that he would not only make a brilliant military career, but also become the founder of the royal dynasty! Eventually Jean-Baptiste Jules Bernadotte became king. Whoever he was! A fiery revolutionary, a brilliant commander, marshal, prince, friend, and then the enemy of Napoleon himself. Of course, such a dizzying biography gave rise to a lot of rumors and speculation around the figure of Bernadotte. Further, the most interesting myths and facts about this amazing man.

1. How Paris learned the Gascon Jean-Baptiste

The fate of Jean-Baptiste, who was born in the city of Pau in 1763, was destined to make several sharp turns. The venerable father promised him the continuation of the family business and a career as a provincial lawyer. Bernadotte was destined for a completely different lot. When the future marshal was very young, his father died. Hot Gascon blood could not allow the young man to sit still. In 1780 he joined the Royal Infantry.

Young Bernadotte turned out to be an excellent soldier, a skilled swordsman, he was brave and earned the unconditional respect of his comrades. Despite all this, the commoner had no chance of reaching the rank above sergeant. None. At that time, only nobles could be officers. Here Jean-Baptiste was fabulously lucky. The French Revolution gave him a great chance to prove himself. Bernadotte used it to the fullest.

After the capture of the Bastille, the sergeant received the rank of junior lieutenant. After another four years, which he bravely fought in the ranks of the Rhine army with the interventionists, Jean-Baptiste became a brigadier general. Subordinate souls doted on Bernadotte. He was strict, demanding, completely intolerant of looting, but fair and honest to the core. As yesterday's ordinary soldier, he perfectly understood his comrades in arms. For all this, they respected and loved him immensely. Jean-Baptiste's orders were always carried out unquestioningly.

2. Bernadotte marries Napoleon's nevet

In 1797 Jean-Baptiste met another general of the revolutionary army, Napoleon Bonaparte. At first, a friendship was struck between young people so similar in spirit. But over time, the relationship fell apart. The rivalry between the two ambitious talented generals turned into a real enmity. The situation was aggravated by the fact that Bernadotte fell in love with Napoleon's bride.

Desiree Clari was the younger sister of the wife of Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's older brother. She was head over heels in love with him and was preparing to marry him. This was not destined to happen. In Paris, Napoleon met Josephine de Beauharnais, they began a whirlwind romance. He eventually married her in 1796. Abandoned Desiree was simply desperate. Here on her horizon appeared a young and handsome General Bernadotte. He sincerely fell in love with the girl and in 1798 their wedding took place.

After this event, the strained relationship between Bonaparte and Bernadotte was completely spoiled. Thanks to this marriage, Jean-Baptiste became a distant relative of the Bonaparte. Napoleon believed that his rival married Désiré only for ambitious career reasons. This was not at all true. The former bride of Napoleon and Bernadotte lived a long and happy life together.

Exactly one year after the wedding, the couple had their first child. Jean-Baptiste was a fan of Scandinavian ballads and named the heir an unusual name for France, Oscar. Bernadotte was at that time Minister of War. He knew that a military coup was being prepared, led by Napoleon. Jean-Baptiste was against the monarchy, he was a staunch republican. He did not support Bonaparte. But he didn't bother him either. Some historians believe that her husband was persuaded by his beloved Desiree.

3. Ambitious but noble

When Napoleon became the first consul, he appointed his unloved relative to the highest government and military posts. Despite his personal dislike, Bonaparte could not fail to note the genius commander, who was Bernadotte. He also considered Napoleon an impudent usurper and remained faithful to the ideals of the revolution. When the conspiracy against Bonaparte was exposed in 1802, the general was suspected of being the first in his organization. Bernadotte was saved by the fact that the police could not admit even the thought that a relative of the first consul might seriously want him to be overthrown.

In the spring of 1804, Napoleon became Emperor of France. Bernadotte, reluctantly, swore allegiance to him. Soon Jean-Baptiste was promoted to marshal. Bonaparte could no longer tolerate an unloved relative next to him and sent him away from himself, appointing him governor of Hanover.

The star of Bernadotte's leadership talent shone brighter and brighter. For brilliant services in the battles of Austerlitz, Auerstedt, Ulm and Jena, the marshal was awarded the title of Prince of Pontecorvo. It was formal, but played a role in its further destiny.

In 1806, Bernadotte captured several hundred Swedes, who fought on the side of Prussia. Jean-Baptiste showed nobility towards them. The soldiers were fed, received the necessary medical care and sent home. The rumor of a just, noble and kind French commander spread through Sweden like wildfire. His name has gained incomparable popularity throughout the country.

When the war was over, Bernadotte began to rule the occupied German lands. Emperor Bonaparte began to treat his marshal with increasing coldness. This ice was not able to melt even the incredible heroism that Jean-Baptiste showed in the battles at Wagram. Those close to Napoleon constantly convinced him that there was no place for such a fiery Jacobin next to the throne. Moreover, a staunch opponent of the monarchy should not be allowed to occupy such a high-ranking military post. Everything changed in the blink of an eye by the will of a capricious fate.

4. A fiery revolutionary becomes king

Then King Charles XIII ruled Sweden. In 1809, he lost his mind. Since the monarch had no children, the country found itself in a difficult situation. An heir had to be chosen. There was only one contender - Karl's grand-nephew. It wasn't even that the boy was only ten. It's just that his father, King Gustav IV, was such a bad ruler that the Swedish Riksdag deprived him and all his descendants of the right to inherit the throne.

In 1810, the Riksdag made a unanimous decision to invite Bernadotte, popular among the people, to become regent. The French marshal was given only one condition. He was to become a Lutheran. Jean-Baptiste was not religious, so this did not become an obstacle for him. The future king quit his job and came to Stockholm. There he was officially proclaimed Crown Prince of Sweden. The crazy king "adopted" Bernadotte. He received the new name Karl Johan, became regent and solemnly assumed his reign.

The beloved wife of Jean-Baptiste was in seventh heaven. She was always a little jealous of Julie, who managed to be queen even twice in such a short time. Now the crown could adorn Desiree's head. She rushed to Sweden on wings, the most tremulous hopes overwhelmed her. The climate and the city itself disappointed her so much! Everything was so dull, gray and dismal that the princess fled from Stockholm back to France just a few months later.

Napoleon believed that his former military leader would be a loyal vassal. Jean-Baptiste, now Karl Johan, had completely different plans. He began to pursue a policy completely independent of Bonaparte. When Napoleon went to war against Russia in 1812, Bernadotte completely severed relations with France. On the contrary, he entered into an alliance with Tsar Alexander I. He even offered the brilliant commander to lead his army, but the crown prince responded with a polite refusal to this tempting offer.

During the military campaign of 1813-1814, Karl Johan was the leader of the Swedish corps. He sided with the anti-French coalition. Thus, the Crown Prince of Sweden became one of those who decided the fate of post-Napoleonic France. When Charles XIII passed away, Jean-Baptiste became king. He ascended the Swedish throne under the name of Karl XIV Johan. The head of the former French marshal was adorned not only with the Swedish crown, but also with the Norwegian one. The fact is that a few years earlier, Bernadotte had conquered Norway from Denmark and annexed it to Sweden.

5. The King of Diplomacy and Sleepers Who Hated Swedish Food

Despite his glorious military background, Karl Johan became an amazingly peaceful king. In principle, he did not participate in any conflicts. Bernadotte tried to maintain friendly relations with all countries. During the years of his reign, Swedish neutrality became a rule that was strictly observed for more than two hundred subsequent years. This practical policy of neutrality is still being pursued by Sweden today. The subjects loved and respected Karl Johan immensely. He made many useful reforms that improved the lives of the people.

The Swedes liked to chuckle good-naturedly at Bernadotte's love of sleeping before noon. It was rumored that he was giving fateful orders without even taking his head off the pillow. In Europe, he was nicknamed "the bed monarch" for this. He became like that in his old age. Prior to this, the unhurried and important monarch was called "a violent marshal."

Desiree moved to Sweden to live with her husband only in 1823. At this time, the construction of the new royal palace, Rusendal, was completed in the center of Stockholm. It was built in the best traditions of the French Empire style. Bernadotte's son Oscar was proclaimed heir to the throne. A strange name for France had to be very useful in Sweden.

The hot Gascon could not get used to the Swedish food. Of all the variety of Swedish national cuisine, he ate only baked apples and broth. The rest was prepared for the king by a specially invited Parisian chef. Karl Johan could eat a whole baguette at dinner. For the beloved monarch in Stockholm, they set up their baking.

Bernadotte never mastered the Swedish language. This in no way hindered him, since all the courtiers were fluent in French. Once a year, Karl Johan gave a speech at the Riksdag. To do this, they wrote him the Swedish text in French letters.

6. A relative of d'Artagnan?

Jean-Baptiste Bernadotte was Gascon by birth. Only the lazy did not joke about the exploits of the gallant military leader so similar to the famous hero. Between these immigrants from Gascony, as it turned out, there is a very complex and florid connection.

At the time of writing his famous masterpiece, it was Jean-Baptiste who inspired the writer to create the image of d'Artagnan. The novel and the restless Gascon, who became the king in fate, have many coincidences. The first part of The Three Musketeers was published on March 14, 1844, a week after the death of Charles XIV Johan.

When the king was already in his advanced years, he sometimes confessed to his trusted interlocutors, which is the only republican among European monarchs. Rumor has it that when he died he was found to have a tattoo "Death to Kings", which he allegedly made back in the turbulent revolutionary years. Others say that the inscription was more modest and read: "Long live the republic." True, there is no evidence of this. Ironically, it was this ardent hater of the monarchy who became the founder of the Swedish royal dynasty, whose representatives rule the country to this day.

Read more about the love of this extraordinary person's life in our article. how Napoleon's first love became Queen of Sweden: the magnificent Desiree Clari.