The latest addition to my collection of French personality figures is General Charles de la Bédoyére, ADC to Napoleon during the hundred days campaign. The figure is FN/371 Aide de Camp, holding letter (horse FNH/13).
La Bédoyére was played in the film Waterloo by Philippe Forquet who interestingly was at one time engaged to Sharon Tate. His acting career never really took off although he did have a part in a US TV series called The Young Rebels set in the American Revolution.
Napoleon: “When I am dead and gone what will the world
say of me?”
La Bédoyére: “They’ll say that you extended the limits of glory,
sire.”
La Bédoyére was to meet an unfortunate
fate after Waterloo being amongst the few French officers who were caught by the allies and
shot by firing squad.
A lovely figure representing a very sad person to be executed for loving his Emperor.
ReplyDeleteIt seems particularly unjust as he held a relatively junior rank and the Marshals (except for Ney) seem to have been let of the hook.
ReplyDeleteHe's a little beauty Ian. That gloss varnish really helps the colours to jump out. Sad ending to his life, simply for faithfully serving his Emperor.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lee, I can’t help thinking he must have been stitched up like Ney.
ReplyDeleteGosh, you seem to have elicited quite an emotional response to poor old de la Bédoyére.
ReplyDeleteHe is ornament to your collection - it's a shame HH didn't do more ADCs as no self-respecting general wants to be seen without a brace of them tagging along behind him.
Rob, actually he produced one for the British, French and Prussians but the Austrians and Russians are underrepresented in terms of Generals and staff which is a pity.
ReplyDeleteJe suis surpris que vous représentiez le général de La Bédoyère par une figurine en tenue d'aide de camp d'un général de brigade (brassard bleu au bras gauche). Les généraux, aide de camp de l'Empereur étaient des généraux de brigade ou de division et portaient les aiguillettes dorées à l'épaule droite. Le plumet des aides de camp de général de brigade est normalement entièrement bleu.
ReplyDeletehttp://centjours.mont-saint-jean.com/detail_uniformes_chefFR.php?rubrique=O&uniformes=2
https://fotki.lv/ru/Remi/photo-26212114/
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/838936236808876953/
Concernant le sort du général de la Bédoyère, il avait obtenu le commandement du 7° régiment d'infanterie de ligne grâce à sa belle famille, fervent royaliste et avait été décoré de l'ordre de Saint Louis. Lorsque Napoléon s'échappa de l'île d'Elbe et débarqua en France son régiment basé a Grenoble devait arrêter l'Empereur mais il choisit de se rallié à celui que l'on qualifiait encore d'usurpateur. Son ralliement qui n'était pas le premier donna pourtant l'exemple à l'ensemble des troupes royales qui abandonnèrent toutes la cause des Bourbons. Lors de la seconde restauration sa belle famille ne pu rien pour le sauver du peloton d'exécution.
I am surprised that you represent General de La Bédoyère by a figurine dressed as an aide-de-camp of a brigadier general (blue armband on the left arm). The generals, aide-de-camp of the Emperor were generals of brigade or division and wore the golden aiguillettes on the right shoulder. By law, the plume of brigadier general aides-de-camp is normally completely blue.
Regarding the fate of General de la Bédoyère, he had obtained the command of the 7th line infantry regiment thanks to his family in law, fervent royalist, and had been decorated with the order of Saint Louis. When Napoleon escaped from Elba Island and landed in France, his regiment based in Grenoble was to arrest the Emperor, but he chose to join the one who was still called the usurper. His rallying, which was not the first, nevertheless set an example for all the royal troops who all abandoned the cause of the Bourbons. During the second restoration, his family in-laws could do nothing to save him from the firing squad.
French Follower - Excusez-moi! I just painted the figure in accordance with Marcus Hinton's painting instructions for an ADC. Perhaps his other uniform was in the wash?
ReplyDeleteThanks for the links - very useful.
Lovely figure, always nice to have a few ADC's.
ReplyDeletePaul
the Emperor's ADC were general officers so they wore the uniform of French generals At 1.11.25 hour of Serguei Boundarchouk's waterloo, you have a very good scene between Napoleon and General de La Bédoyère. As always, in this movie, the uniforms are with the regulation.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qv4CkWkl8A8
Thanks Paul!
ReplyDeleteAnother very handsome figure!
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Stokes
Cheers Stokes!
ReplyDeleteA lovely looking figure Ian…
ReplyDeleteADC’s are something I need to add to my own collection…
All the best. Aly
Nicely done IAN -as always perfect in every detail! Stay well there in the UK. Cheers. KEV.
ReplyDeleteThanks Aly, it wouldn’t do for the commanders to be riding around on their own!
ReplyDeleteThanks Kev!
ReplyDeleteHaving been privileged to meet M. De la Bedoyere on the field of glory, I can only say he is an inspiring figure, whose ever uniform he has borrowed. I bet it was the Prussians who shot him.......
ReplyDeleteNigel, the Prussians would actually have had to use their muskets to do that unless he was handed over to the Jagers!
ReplyDeleteLovely work, Ian
ReplyDeleteAll the best
WM
Lovely figure - sad ending really.
ReplyDeleteThanks WM.
ReplyDeleteMatt - it does seem harsh but I guess the Bourbons were sending a message.
ReplyDeleteStryker - A lovely figure indeed and a fitting tribute to old school style. The red, Navy blue and powder blue really pop when seen altogether!
ReplyDeleteThanks David, I agree, the two blues really work together!
ReplyDeleteLovely representation of La Bédoyére Ian.
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Glad you like him James.
ReplyDelete