December 2011 at Lead Army
Posted on: 12/1/2011
Excuses to celebrate in December other than the obvious...
Naturally the Christmas season brings many occasions to celebrate with friends. But, as a fancier of military history you may be allowed a few other occasions on which you might have a special 'lunch with the guys' or pick a special restaurant for an evening date.
Dec 2nd, 1804 was, of course, the Coronation of Napoleon the 1st of France. The celebration was one designed to be a lavish affair and had special uniforms and costumes for all attending. In fact, several of our miniature Marshals of Napoleon are seen in their 'Court Dress' which was designed for the coronation.
Oddly enough, one year later on the very same date Napoleon's army deliberately celebrated the coronation by giving Napoleon his cleverest victory, Austerlitz!! So, the day might be celebrated with a French wine, either worthy of the Marshals or more modestly worthy of a grenadier in the ranks. But the occasion to go looking for a French Bistro for lunch or a Restaurant for a night out presents itself to you.
Should you miss the chance, on the 3rd you might remember the 'Presentation of the Eagles'..yet another spectacularly organized and stage managed by Marshal Berthier and the Emperor, the day following the coronation. Naturally you don't have to take along your miniature Berthier to lunch, but he would approve of your remembering after all these years.
And, if your tastes don't include a French theme for lunch, perhaps on Dec 4th you might celebrate St. Barbara's day as she is the Patron Saint of Artillery. This allows you to just offer a toast regardless of cuisine as even the US Army has an 'Order of St. Barbara' for its artillerymen of note today.
During the year we, here at Lead Army, hope to bring you some more dates that might offer a reasonable excuse to lighten up your day with a celebration which you might otherwise miss. So may you have the happiest of Decembers and may your Holidays be full of cheer.
Naturally the Christmas season brings many occasions to celebrate with friends. But, as a fancier of military history you may be allowed a few other occasions on which you might have a special 'lunch with the guys' or pick a special restaurant for an evening date.
Dec 2nd, 1804 was, of course, the Coronation of Napoleon the 1st of France. The celebration was one designed to be a lavish affair and had special uniforms and costumes for all attending. In fact, several of our miniature Marshals of Napoleon are seen in their 'Court Dress' which was designed for the coronation.
Oddly enough, one year later on the very same date Napoleon's army deliberately celebrated the coronation by giving Napoleon his cleverest victory, Austerlitz!! So, the day might be celebrated with a French wine, either worthy of the Marshals or more modestly worthy of a grenadier in the ranks. But the occasion to go looking for a French Bistro for lunch or a Restaurant for a night out presents itself to you.
Should you miss the chance, on the 3rd you might remember the 'Presentation of the Eagles'..yet another spectacularly organized and stage managed by Marshal Berthier and the Emperor, the day following the coronation. Naturally you don't have to take along your miniature Berthier to lunch, but he would approve of your remembering after all these years.
And, if your tastes don't include a French theme for lunch, perhaps on Dec 4th you might celebrate St. Barbara's day as she is the Patron Saint of Artillery. This allows you to just offer a toast regardless of cuisine as even the US Army has an 'Order of St. Barbara' for its artillerymen of note today.
During the year we, here at Lead Army, hope to bring you some more dates that might offer a reasonable excuse to lighten up your day with a celebration which you might otherwise miss. So may you have the happiest of Decembers and may your Holidays be full of cheer.
