Jean Lannes (pronounce Lan) was born in Gascoigne, 240 years ago. He was a man of the people and an enthusiast of the Revolution, who rose through the army ranks, due to his warlike spirit and perseverance. His admiration for Napoleon brought them close in 1799. They were the same age and had 10 years of life together, until he died of battle wounds in Austria, on the 31st May,1809.
He was one of the nine Marshals of the Empire, the most handsome and the least vain, and the only one who never would have betrayed the Emperor of the French. His outstanding military achievements are many, the greatest being the conquest of Saragossa, in February of 1809, a most bloody affair he regretted, although he never faulted when duty called. His high sense of honour and truth, together with his fiery temperament, created many tempests in his relationships, including with his best friend Napoleon. Counting on that, he was sent to Lisbon as an ultimatum to try to avoid the invasion of Portugal by the French. Tired of having his mission stalled, he was the one who took “French leave” (despediu-se à francesa) departing Lisbon without asking the Queen’s permission, an attitude considered outrageous by the Portuguese Court.
Napoleon sent him back and he did quite a job then, including being close enough to the Prince Regent for him to be the godfather of his two sons born in Portugal, although he had many powerful enemies, above all the Steward Pina Manique.
Since I discovered Lannes, he has been a fascination. He is so close to the archetype of Aries, the heart, will, courage, simplicity and faithfulness of the warrior, I decided to write about him. He died in Napoleon’s arms, who felt deeply how irreplaceable he was by recognizing that he wasn’t just a friend: he was his only friend. Similar to Alexander’s Hephaistion, Lannes was Napoleon’s friend, while the others were the Emperor’s friends. Accordingly, and imitating Alexander, Napoleon gave him the State funeral he would have wanted for himself. His tomb is in the Pantheon in Paris. The one time I was there, the monument was closed for restoration. I hope to go back to Paris soon and then, finally, to be able to offer him the red and white roses this glorious son of Mars truly deserves.
Since I discovered Lannes, he has been a fascination. He is so close to the archetype of Aries, the heart, will, courage, simplicity and faithfulness of the warrior, I decided to write about him. He died in Napoleon’s arms, who felt deeply how irreplaceable he was by recognizing that he wasn’t just a friend: he was his only friend. Similar to Alexander’s Hephaistion, Lannes was Napoleon’s friend, while the others were the Emperor’s friends. Accordingly, and imitating Alexander, Napoleon gave him the State funeral he would have wanted for himself. His tomb is in the Pantheon in Paris. The one time I was there, the monument was closed for restoration. I hope to go back to Paris soon and then, finally, to be able to offer him the red and white roses this glorious son of Mars truly deserves.
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