Napoleon I

Napoleonic memorabilia collected after the Battle of Waterloo

Légion d'Honneur - Emperor Napoleon I's Star

c.1802-14

RCIN 441475

In 1802 Napoleon created the Légion d'Honneur, the highest decoration in France. This star of the Legion was Napoleon's own and was worn by him during his exile on St Helena after the Battle of Waterloo. It would have been sewn onto a coat for daily wear as required by the Order's statutes. The star features an imperial eagle with thunderbolts in its claws, surrounded by the motto HONNEUR ET PATRIE ('for honour and the fatherland').

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