Nobility of the First French Empire

"Count of the Empire" redirects here. For the title in the Holy Roman Empire, see Imperial Count.
"Baron of the empire" redirects here. For the title in the Holy Roman Empire, see Freiherr.
Imperial coat of arms
Arms granted to Joseph Christophe Couin, made a baron de Granchamp et de l'Empire in 1808
Patent of nobility granted to artillery colonel François Cabau, who became baron de l'Empire in 1810

As Emperor of the French, Napoleon I created titles in a newly established noblesse impériale (Imperial Nobility) to institute a stable elite in the First French Empire, after the instability resulting from the French Revolution.[1]

Like many others, both before and since, Napoleon found that the ability to confer titles was also a useful tool of patronage which cost the state little. In all, about 2,200 titles were created by Napoleon:

  • Princes and Dukes:
    • Princes of the Imperial Family
    • Sovereign princes (3)
    • Dukes of large fiefs (20)
    • Victory princes (4)
    • Victory dukedoms (10)
    • Other dukedoms (3)
  • Counts (251)
  • Barons (1,516)
  • Knights (385)

Napoleon also established a new knightly order in 1802, the Legion of Honour, which is still in existence today. The Grand Dignitaries of the French Empire ranked, regardless of noble title, immediately behind the Princes of France.

  1. ^ "The Nobility of the Empire and the Elite groups of the 19th century - a Successful Fusion". napoleon.org. Retrieved 2024-03-11.