MARIE LOUISE: (1791-1847) Duchess of Parma. Austrian Archduchess, the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and, as ...

MARIE LOUISE: (1791-1847) Duchess of Parma. Austrian Archduchess, the second wife of Napoleon Bonaparte and, as such, Empress of the French 1810-14.
An attractive D.S., Marie Louise, as Empress, one page (vellum), oblong folio, Palais des Tuileries, 15th December 1811, in French. The partially printed document, which features a decorative border, nominates Madame La Baronne de Lacour (nee Botot) as a 'Dame de la Société de la Charité maternelle'. Countersigned by Joseph Fesch (1763-1839) French Cardinal and Diplomat, Prince of France and the uncle of Napoleon Bonaparte. Some light age wear and minor dust staining to the edges, not affecting the text or signatures, about VGThe Société de Charité maternelle was founded in 1788 to work alongside the government to provide welfare to the many needy of the time by encouraging maternal virtues amongst the poor. Such philanthropic organisations were encouraged as much to promote social interaction as to alleviate the call upon the public purse.The end of the War of the Fifth Coalition in 1809 resulted in the marriage of Napoleon and Marie Louise in 1810, which ushered in a brief period of peace and friendship between Austria and the French Empire. Marie Louise dutifully agreed to the marriage despite being raised to despise France. She was an obedient wife and was adored by Napoleon, who had been eager to marry a member of one of Europe's leading royal houses to cement his relatively young Empire.