Beschreibung:

Napoleon I--Marriage Collection of nine letters and papers relating to Napoleon's second marriage to the Archduchess Maria Louisa includes a letter signed by Cardinal Fesch testifying that he has published he banns in Paris and that the proxy marriage in Vienna may properly take place, a statement by Count Otto de Moslay the French ambassador to Vienna, saying that the marriage between Napoleon and Josephine has been annulled and declared invalid by the Catholic church, a certified copy of a letter by Francis I stating that there are no obstacles to the marriage, and two letters signed by Metternich to the Archbishop of Vienna written after the proxy marriage had taken place, reassuring him about the statement of Cardinal Fesch, 12 pages, folio, Vienna and Paris, 26 February to 17 March 1810 This correspondence relates to the necessity of establishing the legality of Napoleon's proposed marriage to the Archduchess. An heir was needed for the Empire, and the proper formalities were hurried over in order to achieve this. The church expressed considerable doubts about the acceptability of the annulment of Napoleon's first marriage, so an ecclesiastical court was brought together and eventually decided in Napoleon's favour. PROVENANCE:Sotheby's London, 28 May 1992, lot 188Condition reportFor further information on the condition of this lot please contact Fenella.Theis@sothebys.com