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France - 1808

L'Entrée a Madrid

Obverse:

Head of Bonaparte laureated.

Legend:

NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI

Exergue:

On the base of the bust, ANDRIEU F.

Size:

40 mm.

Reverse:

View of the beautiful gate of Alcala, at Madrid.

Legend:

PORTE DE ALCALA.

Exergue:

ENTRÉE DES FRANÇAIS À MADRID LE IV. DECEMBRE MDCCCVIII BRENET F. DENON D.

Laskey:

After the battle of Tudela, and forcing the pass of Puerto, the French Emperor advanced towards Madrid. On the 1st of December, the French cavalry appeared before the city, and were driven back from the gates several times; but on the 3d they were in possession of the gate of Alcala, and also of the Reteiro. The junta then hoisted a white flag: the people pulled it down, and persisted in their design of defending the city to the last; but this enthusiasm soon subsided, and when they learnt the French were fortifying themselves in the Reteiro, the peaceably retired to their respective homes. During the night of December 3d, a Spanish officer, who had been taken prisoner at Puerto, brought a message from General Berthier, summoning, for the second time, Madrid to surrender. The Marquis of Castellar, Captain General of Castile, in answer, demanded a suspension of hostilities, for the purpose of consulting the constituted authorities, although these had a secret correspondence with the French, and had already come to a determination on the subject.

When intelligence, that the French had forced the pass of Puerto, reached Madrid, a council was held, at which the Honorable Mr. Stuart, the British envoy at Madrid, was present. Don T. Morla opened the council, and expatiated, at great length, on the hopeless state of affairs; and urged the necessity of immediately capitulating for the city. When he finished, another of the council arose, and reproaching Morla for his proposal, stated, that the advice of Morla was more suited to a minister of Joseph Bonaparte, than to a minister of King Ferdinand.

On the morning of the 4th, the Marquis of Castellar sent a letter to Berthier, which produced a peremptory summons to surrender immediately. In the evening of the same day, Don T. Morla with Don Bertrando Yriarte waited on Berthier, who introduced them to Bonaparte, who told them, that if the city did not tender its submission by five or six o'clock the following morning, he would take it by assault, and every one found with arms in his hands, should be put to the sword. The Spanish troops on this were sent off in the dead of the night, by the gates of Segovia and Tudela, and the capitulation was carried into effect.

From Madrid Bonaparte published a manifesto to the Spanish Nation, in which he promised them all good things, if they received with sincerity his brother Joseph for their king; if not, he would put the crown on his own head, treat them as a conquered province, and find another kingdom for Joseph.

Bramsen:

Bramsen - 757 Entrée à Madrid. (Brenet.)
NAPOLEON EMP. ET ROI. Tête laurée, à droite.	Rev: PORTE DE ALCALA. Vue de la porte d'Alcala, à Madrid.
	Exergue: ENTREE DES FRANÇAIS À MADRID LE IV. DECEMBRE MDCCCVIII.
Médaille, 40 mm. - T. N. 27, 11; H. m. 42, 234; M. F. 375, 104.

d'Essling:

d'Essling - 1217 Entrée des Français à Madrid. (Andrieu et Brenet).
Tête de Nap. à dr.	R. Vue de la porte Alcala.
(TN. 27.11 - M. 234 - B. 757). Arg. et br. 41 mm.