His relation with valevska and the fact that he had not married her and accepted his son, as his heir, had been one of the most bright and decisive mistakes of this chain, which had caused his his overall failure.
According to Marie, they met in the little town of Bronia, while Napoleon was in his carriage en route to Warsaw. Marie, who was a patriot wanted to welcome him in Poland, she gave him flowers. He was impressed by the young woman and asked who was this unknown beautiful lady. After a little research, Marie was found and invited with her husband to the ball given in the honor of Napoleon. He clearly showed that he was very interested in her, she resisted, was pressured by the Polish authorities to become Napoleon's mistress in order to save Poland, then finally, she sacrified herself like a good patriot... Her account that you can find on the Walewski family internet page is very interesting but it seems that she tried to justify her relationship with Napoleon and why she left her husband for the Emperor.
I really enjoy listening to this narrator. Audio is also well done, the music in the background is not too loud. I hate it when ppl upload a video and the music drowns out the speaker. Thank You .
This was a very interesting video! I once read a series about Josephine, and found her story quite compelling, but I never knew any details about Marie. You do a great job with your storytelling and I’m really glad I found your channel! Keep up the great work
I always enjoy your videos. Your very accurate about the history you use in them. Thank you for all the wonderful work you put into them and sharing them with us. Take care
In 1937 Hollywood made a film, “Conquest”, with Charles Boyer as Napoleon and Garbo as Marie. It told the story of their love and her giving birth to his son. The new “Napoleon” film never mentions this story and just concentrates on him and Josephine. Interesting…….
Greta Garbo as Marie Walewska - the golden years of Hollywood, I reckon. And it seems that they kept historical accuracy in view, so to speak. Wonderful.
Napoléon said only woman he ever loved was Joséphine. Even his last word just before he passed, was her name. After marrying with the duchess of Austria, he still sent loving letters to Joséphine. But Walevska was his most significant mistress. (Pauline was the first, and also known as Cleopatra but she hadn't had a child.) Also Napoléon wanted to marry with the sister of Alexander of Russia. But then he couldn't and he married with Marie Louise (she was also Marie Antoinette's niece).
Funny enough after Napoleon left Egypt Pauline was shacking up with one of Napoleon's good friends, Junot. And nother general. But ultimately yes, the woman Napoleon most loves was Josephine.
the three women of Napoleon's life were Josephine, Desiree and Marie. Marie was not mentioned as much as others, but she loves him, while I guess the love of Napoleon was Josephine.
@@NeverGoingToGiveYouUp000 Joséphine cheated on Napoléon with one guy when she wasn't in love with Napoléon, but after that she didn't cheated on him again, which still makes it not okay of course. But Napoléon cheated on Joséphine like... i don't even know, it is reported that he had like 22 mistresses, and those are just the known ones... i don't even include the one night stand affairs....
@@bittersweetmadam Yes, many times with the same lover. I'm not saying she had many lovers. Napoleon did avenge her indefinitely with his own in Egypt, but I'm sure having the love of his life cheat on him, and having done so himself. It caused him to change his views on women then changing him to take more lovers.
Sixty years ago I used to sell expensive gloves to her descendant Countess Walewska, a real sweetheart, because the Gestapo cut down her fingers with razor-blades in a failed attempt at making her talk.
I think that though Napoleo had been the military strategic genius. I am no judge in this area, but this is the world accepted opinion, he had been wrong in his life's strategy developments. His life decisions, like his choice to crown himself the emperor, to betray given him to Poland promises, his attempts to enter forever the title of european royals, etc., etc. had been absolutely wrong, had included to much of vanity and too much of betrayals.
He is arguably the best general in history. He was also a great statesman , he made social and economic reforms( improved taxation , welfare, new national bank ect.) , fought corruption, allowed freedom of religion and treated Jewish people very well(not common at his time) but yeah his life choices aren't really the greatest.
He never fell in love with her. Napoleon always loved Josephine the reason he married Marie's was because she got pregnant and Josephine could not bear a child with him.
I just re-watched "Desirée" with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. The music and costumes are hokey and very fifties hollywood but Brando does a very decent Napoleon. Of course it follows the novel and makes Desirée seem like the only other love of his life (seems like he had many loves) but the story of Clary's life alone is worth reporting. I now recall that is how I found your channel. I watched the movie and algorithm brought me to your Clary story. Your work is excellent and thank you.
The Countess was dangled in front of Napoleon bu the faction that was trying to restore Polond from a nationless state. Idk if it was some great love affair, but the child they had together is what caused the divorce between Napoleon and Josephine.
Interesting perspective and much appreciated. It's always useful to see things from different POV's. Marie wrote a memoir that supposedly details how she first met Napoleon, the pressure she was subjected to by fellow Poles to become his mistress and their first time having sex. At least what I have heard is... The credibility of this memoir is regarded as questionable. Her account of how she met Napoleon does not align with what we know about his movements and whereabouts during a specific period of time. The part about being pressured into the relationship--this has to be true. What Marie writes about her first sexual experience with Napoleon is disturbing--if what she claims is in fact accurate. I don't think I have really seen or heard anyone address this. It is plausible she could have made this up because in order to be accepted among the nobles and aristocrats, anyone who had any connection to Napoleon was obligated to portray him as a monster after his final abdication. I don't know.... I have a hard time comprehending why Napoleon would be so deliberately and intentionally cruel. At least as far as I know... We don't have evidence from Josephine, from Napoleon's other mistresses or his second wife suggesting he was threatening, intimidating, coercive or violent in his courting and love making. I am inclined to think if Napoleon treated his mistresses and wives very poorly we would have many, many documented accounts of how horrible he treated the women that he loved and lusted after.
@@livesandhistories I think RUclips had a tantrum and deleted my first reply because of the URL link. With a properly worded Google search you should be able to find an English version of Marie's memoirs that is free to read. If English isn't your first language, I would hope it's possible to find a free, readable version in your native language.
@@jennifertennent8319 Thanks for your message you sent a while ago. It was placed in the spam folder, for some reason. Like you, I don't think Napoleon was disrespectful towards women.
@@livesandhistories Eh...you are never obligated to reply. Though it is nice to have an exchange of ideas on obscure topics such as this. Napoleon was a lot of things... I don't think you have to dig too deep to find evidence that his views and opinions of women in general were not great. I believe, women under his regime were mostly reduced to the status of legal dependents, like children, who cannot make their own decisions without the approval of a husband or male relative. He was not opposed to women being educated, but he thought this should serve the ultimate goal of making them better companions to their husbands and be a source of conversational stimulation. Although I don't believe he was ever physically violent toward any of his wives and mistresses... Flirting with other women in front of your wife, in front of Josephine... It may be a bit of a stretch, but you could maybe consider this a kind of relationship abuse. Napoleon could be very critical and insulting of women's appearance and how they dressed. The women of his court, wives of marshals, generals, ministers, etc, a few of these women he would make romantic advances toward and be rejected. I don't believe he ever forced himself on them, but I believe he could be quite unpleasant in his conduct when they refused to give in. To Napoleon, a woman's place was in the home as a faithful companion to her husband and mother to her children. Even for the time that he lived his views on women were out of date. At least to me it is something of a paradox that despite all the horrible sexists and misogynistic quotes that can be attributed to him... He could be protective of the women in his inner circle and maybe very selectively acknowledge they have valuable thoughts and insights. But perhaps, there is no contradiction. It's a man's duty and obligation to protect women who are inherently weaker and vulnerable. Being unable to protect the women in your life, especially from other men, is really an insult to the man because women are considered male property. I am not absolutely certain that Louis, physically abused Hortense, but it seems there were at the very least suspicions of spousal abuse because of visible marks on Hortense. Napoleon at some point did go to Louis and told him to straighten himself out or he would remove him from the throne of the Netherlands. I don't know...maybe being insulting, sending love notes, using the coercive lure of gifts and favors is acceptable, but being physically violent crosses a line. Napoleon would seek out Josephine to ask about the merits of going to war with Russia. She basically said, no, this is a bad idea. I don't think Marie Walewska was able to exert any real influence over Napoleon's decision making but it seems like they did have conversations about politics and I think there is evidence that he valued her opinions or otherwise found them interesting and engaging. I have re-read parts of Christine Sutherland's book on Marie Walewska multiple times. There is a certain coercive unpleasantness to Napoleon's courting of Walewska. Marie is pressured by friends, family and other Poles to entertain and reciprocate Napoleon's advances. Napoleon sends her written correspondence with gifts of flowers, and expensive jewels. I think according to one online source, Marie at one point quips, "He [Napoleon] treats me like a prostitute." Marie at this point was in an arranged marriage to a much older man in order to better the finances of her family. She was a wife, mother and God fearing catholic who had made sacred marital vows to her husband. Some women might have considered this an exciting prospect, but to Marie this was terrifying. Napoleon makes no explicit promises of restoring an independent Poland, but it's implied that her country will be so much more dear to him if she would only grace him with her presence. And even if it's not outright stated, it could be implied that by refusing to entertain and give into his advances--there is a risk Napoleon could take out his frustration on the Polish people. There is another layer of unpleasantness because as a child and teenager, Marie looked up to Napoleon as this God like hero who is going to liberate Europe and someone who could restore an independent Polish state into existence. At the time of their courting, Marie was aged 20 and Napoleon was 37, Marie's husband was, 50, 52 years older than her? Yeah...I don't care for Marie's husband, he is trash for how he treated her and a creep for marrying a woman so much younger than him. After much discussion and persuasion Marie agrees to visit Napoleon in private. "The society chronicler Francoice Trembicka, who was in Warsaw at the time, tells us that Emily finally won Marie over when she said, 'Go to the Emperor, talk to him about Poland, nothing need happen.' After all, it was up to her: indeed, nothing need happen at all..." pg 72 According to Constant Wairy, during the first visit, Marie was pale, trembling, her eyes full of tears, she could barely walk and clung to the arm of her escort, who showed her into the Emperor's study. Reportedly, they just sat and talked for a few hours. When Constant Wairy was summoned Marie was still crying and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Napoleon asked Marie about herself, her family, her marriage to Anastase. Marie talked about the need to restore an independent Poland. A day or two later at night Marie would see Napoleon again. And these visits would continue every day until Napoleon left Warsaw. Unless new information has been uncovered and this information has been deemed credible. We can only speculate about what might have transpired between Napoleon and Marie during this second visit. It doesn't make sense to me at least, that Marie would share the details of her first private meeting with Napoleon, but not say something to her friends and relatives about what a monster he is, how he abused, frightened and mistreated her. Surely, if Marie appeared disturbed and distressed because something did happen that was against her will someone would have noticed? Someone would have talked to her? Someone would have had the decency to whisk her away somewhere safe, somewhere she could be protected from the Emperor? Someone would have sent a strongly worded letter to the Emperor condemning him for his treatment of Marie? Word would have circulated of the Emperor's cruelty and Poles would be forced to reconsider their political alignment--possibly? And if he was so heartless, why on Earth would you go back to him day after day after day? It could be argued that Marie was so scared and afraid that she didn't dare speak a word against Napoleon. But I don't feel like this holds up because of the fact she willingly goes to stay with Napoleon at Finkenstein in East Prussia for six weeks beginning in the month of April. "Soon after, he wrote to Marie: 'I would like to see you...It's up to you...Never doubt my feelings for you...' Then on 5 April: 'Would you really be willing to brave the discomfort of the journey? I will see you with the greatest delight, as you can well imagine...I kiss your beautiful hands and your charming mouth. Napole.' " pg 89 This six week period was probably the happiest time of Marie's life. It seems Napoleon genuinely wanted to marry Marie Walewska, but because of concerns of dynastic legitimacy, creating beneficial political alliances and no doubt the scandal that would be caused by marrying his mistress who bore him a child out of wedlock--Napoleon made other plans.
Not really, he's like most people, gives in into the pleasures of the flesh.
2 года назад+2
Poland was such an asset for France. Marrying Poland, which was also catholic, would make a powerful country that could check three major enemies of France at the same time.
Western domination complex makes any west east nations marriage impossible they are too full of themselves they despise any smaller nation eastern of them 😂 Poles made polish Lithuanian union building european power that lasted hundreds years despite Poles having western mentally and being catholics and Lithuanians being of eastern orthodox mentality and much more Slavic at souls now Poles have idea to merge with Ukraine but sadly it won't work as Ukraine wants to be more western than polish nation so living in own inferiority complex instead of pride of own origin embracing eastern element it could work with Belarusian nation though if chechia was as big as Germany there would be their union in such way long ago there could be such of Italy with Romania if Romania wouldn't fear loosing own identity and treated as equal there could be such union between Greece and Armenia if religious differences were resolved there could be such between Poland and Russia if Russians weren't dumb and Poles stubborn
The video is kind of unclear did he have a boy or girl with her. Did they have living offspring as well through that line to modern day? I enjoyed the video you have to hand it to the lady she seemed like the only one to visit him in exile. She must have been a beauty for sure. Seems like Napoleon tried to make good on all his bastards as well as his 1 legitimate child. But his 2nd wife had no loyalty like Marie that's for sure.
His relation with valevska and the fact that he had not married her and accepted his son, as his heir, had been one of the most bright and decisive mistakes of this chain, which had caused his his overall failure.
Indeed. Thank you for watching, Wayne.
Really ? Would you care to explain it for me ? I didn't quite understand ?
He actually regarded divorcing Joséphine cause he thought she was his lucky star.
According to Marie, they met in the little town of Bronia, while Napoleon was in his carriage en route to Warsaw. Marie, who was a patriot wanted to welcome him in Poland, she gave him flowers. He was impressed by the young woman and asked who was this unknown beautiful lady. After a little research, Marie was found and invited with her husband to the ball given in the honor of Napoleon. He clearly showed that he was very interested in her, she resisted, was pressured by the Polish authorities to become Napoleon's mistress in order to save Poland, then finally, she sacrified herself like a good patriot...
Her account that you can find on the Walewski family internet page is very interesting but it seems that she tried to justify her relationship with Napoleon and why she left her husband for the Emperor.
I really enjoy listening to this narrator. Audio is also well done, the music in the background is not too loud. I hate it when ppl upload a video and the music drowns out the speaker. Thank You .
Thank you very much for your kind comment.
This was a very interesting video! I once read a series about Josephine, and found her story quite compelling, but I never knew any details about Marie. You do a great job with your storytelling and I’m really glad I found your channel! Keep up the great work
Glad you enjoyed it!
The Last Great Dance On Earth?
Very interesting story. I know so little about this period of French history and even less about Polish history. Thank you for that story!
Thank you for your comment, Patrick.
Many of the soldiers who died in Napoleon's ill-fated Russia campaign were Polish!
She looks gorgeous in her potrait. It's so sad she died so young. Harsh times back then.
Indeed. Thank you for watching.
@@livesandhistories it was pleasure watching it. And you have a lovely voice.
@@ambreeniram2268 Thank you.
I really enjoyed this video. Marie was very beautiful. Such a sad thing she died so young. Thank you so much for posting.
I'm so glad you liked it. Tragic that she died so young. Thank you for watching.
I always enjoy your videos. Your very accurate about the history you use in them. Thank you for all the wonderful work you put into them and sharing them with us. Take care
Thank you ever so much for your comment. It really means a lot to me to hear that. You take care too.
My husband always said he was a decendant of Napoleon, I didn't believe him, but I guess he is after all haha he is also a Walewski
DNA test
DNA test
Take him to paternity court
@@NIkki-ox1ej lol not paternity court 🤣🥴
He is Polish!
Almost a hundred years after her death Poland would be restored
In 1937 Hollywood made a film, “Conquest”, with Charles Boyer as Napoleon and Garbo as Marie. It told the story of their love and her giving birth to his son. The new “Napoleon” film never mentions this story and just concentrates on him and Josephine. Interesting…….
Greta Garbo as Marie Walewska - the golden years of Hollywood, I reckon. And it seems that they kept historical accuracy in view, so to speak. Wonderful.
i need to look for this movie! thanks for mentioning
The actress who played her in Napoleon 2002. Alexandra Marie Lana fits this perfectly.
Perfect. Thank you for watching.
There was also a movies about her in 1937, called "Conquest." Greta Garbo played her and Charles Boyer played Napoleon.
Do you mean Alexandra Maria Lara, the Romanian-German actress?
But Napoléon wasn't accurate in my opinion.
@@KJ-md2wj yay.
This is so very interesting...never knew their story.Presentation is wonderful too!❤️
That is so interesting and captivating. Very well researched and presented. Thank you so much for this video.I enjoyed it very much.🙋🏼♀️
So nice of you to say that. Thank you for watching Nina.
wow im loving these thank you
I am glad you liked it. Thank you for watching.
Very well done! Thank you
Thank you for saying that.
Napoléon said only woman he ever loved was Joséphine. Even his last word just before he passed, was her name. After marrying with the duchess of Austria, he still sent loving letters to Joséphine. But Walevska was his most significant mistress. (Pauline was the first, and also known as Cleopatra but she hadn't had a child.)
Also Napoléon wanted to marry with the sister of Alexander of Russia. But then he couldn't and he married with Marie Louise (she was also Marie Antoinette's niece).
That is true. His last words were Vive la France et Josephine. His two great loves in his life.
@@angelamoreno5914 France, The Army, Josephine.
Playboy
Funny enough after Napoleon left Egypt Pauline was shacking up with one of Napoleon's good friends, Junot. And nother general.
But ultimately yes, the woman Napoleon most loves was Josephine.
I love Queen Désirée the most, among the lovers of Bonaparte.
very , very good share...........new subbie , thank you , for sharing.............
the three women of Napoleon's life were Josephine, Desiree and Marie. Marie was not mentioned as much as others, but she loves him, while I guess the love of Napoleon was Josephine.
Marie Walewska cared more about Napoleon than marie Louise.
You're right.
Even Napoleon said that in politics there's no room for love, marrying Louise was completely political
Their son had good life thank you great story
New sub. Thanks ~ very interesting.
Thank you very much, Rebecca.
I like your accent, so nice and soft ☺
Very kind of you to say that. Thank you Nlkki.
I really enjoyed this, thank you. You explain things very clearly and logically. I have subscribed 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺
Thank you and welcome.
Awww Joséphine could be jealous
Well, Josephine did have quite a history herself of infidelity
@@NeverGoingToGiveYouUp000 Joséphine cheated on Napoléon with one guy when she wasn't in love with Napoléon, but after that she didn't cheated on him again, which still makes it not okay of course. But Napoléon cheated on Joséphine like... i don't even know, it is reported that he had like 22 mistresses, and those are just the known ones... i don't even include the one night stand affairs....
@@bittersweetmadam Yes, many times with the same lover. I'm not saying she had many lovers. Napoleon did avenge her indefinitely with his own in Egypt, but I'm sure having the love of his life cheat on him, and having done so himself. It caused him to change his views on women then changing him to take more lovers.
Sixty years ago I used to sell expensive gloves to her descendant Countess Walewska, a real sweetheart, because the Gestapo cut down her fingers with razor-blades in a failed attempt at making her talk.
OMG 50 YEARS AGO I MET HER AND SHE BOUGHT ME A PAIR OF GLOVES AND GAVE ME 100000 $
Thats terrible
I think that though Napoleo had been the military strategic genius. I am no judge in this area, but this is the world accepted opinion, he had been wrong in his life's strategy developments. His life decisions, like his choice to crown himself the emperor, to betray given him to Poland promises, his attempts to enter forever the title of european royals, etc., etc. had been absolutely wrong, had included to much of vanity and too much of betrayals.
He is arguably the best general in history. He was also a great statesman , he made social and economic reforms( improved taxation , welfare, new national bank ect.) , fought corruption, allowed freedom of religion and treated Jewish people very well(not common at his time) but yeah his life choices aren't really the greatest.
@@mariosmatzoros3553so he did one big mistake obviously 😂
18 and 68. OMG that's so gross. Poor girl !!!
Lol
He never fell in love with her. Napoleon always loved Josephine the reason he married Marie's was because she got pregnant and Josephine could not bear a child with him.
Ofcourse he was not in love with her, but there was love. Just no to the degree of Desiree when Napoleon first met her or Josephine
oh yes, somebody like Napoleon would care to marry anyone just to make child legitimate
unlikely to say mildly
Now that you have begun with Napoleon, PLEASE do Queen Desideria, née DÉSIRÉE CLARY?
Thank you, Michelle.
I just re-watched "Desirée" with Marlon Brando and Jean Simmons. The music and costumes are hokey and very fifties hollywood but Brando does a very decent Napoleon. Of course it follows the novel and makes Desirée seem like the only other love of his life (seems like he had many loves) but the story of Clary's life alone is worth reporting. I now recall that is how I found your channel. I watched the movie and algorithm brought me to your Clary story. Your work is excellent and thank you.
@@annastinehammersdottir1290 Thank you for watching my video. Yes, Napoleon was involved with many women.
@@livesandhistories I wonder how many illegitimate children Napoleon had….?
The Countess was dangled in front of Napoleon bu the faction that was trying to restore Polond from a nationless state. Idk if it was some great love affair, but the child they had together is what caused the divorce between Napoleon and Josephine.
Actually Elenore Danuelle La Plaigne had Napoléon's child (Leon) before Walewska had.
@@bittersweetmadamgood, seed was strong 😂
8:40 actually Marie Louise left Paris with Count Neipperg and let her child suffer at the time and Napoleon didn't know it
Interesting perspective and much appreciated. It's always useful to see things from different POV's.
Marie wrote a memoir that supposedly details how she first met Napoleon, the pressure she was subjected to by fellow Poles to become his mistress and their first time having sex.
At least what I have heard is... The credibility of this memoir is regarded as questionable. Her account of how she met Napoleon does not align with what we know about his movements and whereabouts during a specific period of time.
The part about being pressured into the relationship--this has to be true.
What Marie writes about her first sexual experience with Napoleon is disturbing--if what she claims is in fact accurate.
I don't think I have really seen or heard anyone address this. It is plausible she could have made this up because in order to be accepted among the nobles and aristocrats, anyone who had any connection to Napoleon was obligated to portray him as a monster after his final abdication.
I don't know.... I have a hard time comprehending why Napoleon would be so deliberately and intentionally cruel.
At least as far as I know... We don't have evidence from Josephine, from Napoleon's other mistresses or his second wife suggesting he was threatening, intimidating, coercive or violent in his courting and love making.
I am inclined to think if Napoleon treated his mistresses and wives very poorly we would have many, many documented accounts of how horrible he treated the women that he loved and lusted after.
I did not know about her memoirs. Thank you for watching Jennifer.
@@livesandhistories
I think RUclips had a tantrum and deleted my first reply because of the URL link.
With a properly worded Google search you should be able to find an English version of Marie's memoirs that is free to read.
If English isn't your first language, I would hope it's possible to find a free, readable version in your native language.
@@jennifertennent8319 Thanks Jennifer.
@@jennifertennent8319 Thanks for your message you sent a while ago. It was placed in the spam folder, for some reason. Like you, I don't think Napoleon was disrespectful towards women.
@@livesandhistories
Eh...you are never obligated to reply. Though it is nice to have an exchange of ideas on obscure topics such as this.
Napoleon was a lot of things... I don't think you have to dig too deep to find evidence that his views and opinions of women in general were not great. I believe, women under his regime were mostly reduced to the status of legal dependents, like children, who cannot make their own decisions without the approval of a husband or male relative. He was not opposed to women being educated, but he thought this should serve the ultimate goal of making them better companions to their husbands and be a source of conversational stimulation.
Although I don't believe he was ever physically violent toward any of his wives and mistresses... Flirting with other women in front of your wife, in front of Josephine... It may be a bit of a stretch, but you could maybe consider this a kind of relationship abuse. Napoleon could be very critical and insulting of women's appearance and how they dressed. The women of his court, wives of marshals, generals, ministers, etc, a few of these women he would make romantic advances toward and be rejected. I don't believe he ever forced himself on them, but I believe he could be quite unpleasant in his conduct when they refused to give in.
To Napoleon, a woman's place was in the home as a faithful companion to her husband and mother to her children. Even for the time that he lived his views on women were out of date.
At least to me it is something of a paradox that despite all the horrible sexists and misogynistic quotes that can be attributed to him... He could be protective of the women in his inner circle and maybe very selectively acknowledge they have valuable thoughts and insights. But perhaps, there is no contradiction. It's a man's duty and obligation to protect women who are inherently weaker and vulnerable. Being unable to protect the women in your life, especially from other men, is really an insult to the man because women are considered male property.
I am not absolutely certain that Louis, physically abused Hortense, but it seems there were at the very least suspicions of spousal abuse because of visible marks on Hortense. Napoleon at some point did go to Louis and told him to straighten himself out or he would remove him from the throne of the Netherlands. I don't know...maybe being insulting, sending love notes, using the coercive lure of gifts and favors is acceptable, but being physically violent crosses a line.
Napoleon would seek out Josephine to ask about the merits of going to war with Russia. She basically said, no, this is a bad idea. I don't think Marie Walewska was able to exert any real influence over Napoleon's decision making but it seems like they did have conversations about politics and I think there is evidence that he valued her opinions or otherwise found them interesting and engaging.
I have re-read parts of Christine Sutherland's book on Marie Walewska multiple times.
There is a certain coercive unpleasantness to Napoleon's courting of Walewska. Marie is pressured by friends, family and other Poles to entertain and reciprocate Napoleon's advances. Napoleon sends her written correspondence with gifts of flowers, and expensive jewels. I think according to one online source, Marie at one point quips, "He [Napoleon] treats me like a prostitute."
Marie at this point was in an arranged marriage to a much older man in order to better the finances of her family. She was a wife, mother and God fearing catholic who had made sacred marital vows to her husband. Some women might have considered this an exciting prospect, but to Marie this was terrifying. Napoleon makes no explicit promises of restoring an independent Poland, but it's implied that her country will be so much more dear to him if she would only grace him with her presence. And even if it's not outright stated, it could be implied that by refusing to entertain and give into his advances--there is a risk Napoleon could take out his frustration on the Polish people.
There is another layer of unpleasantness because as a child and teenager, Marie looked up to Napoleon as this God like hero who is going to liberate Europe and someone who could restore an independent Polish state into existence. At the time of their courting, Marie was aged 20 and Napoleon was 37, Marie's husband was, 50, 52 years older than her? Yeah...I don't care for Marie's husband, he is trash for how he treated her and a creep for marrying a woman so much younger than him.
After much discussion and persuasion Marie agrees to visit Napoleon in private.
"The society chronicler Francoice Trembicka, who was in Warsaw at the time, tells us that Emily finally won Marie over when she said, 'Go to the Emperor, talk to him about Poland, nothing need happen.' After all, it was up to her: indeed, nothing need happen at all..." pg 72
According to Constant Wairy, during the first visit, Marie was pale, trembling, her eyes full of tears, she could barely walk and clung to the arm of her escort, who showed her into the Emperor's study.
Reportedly, they just sat and talked for a few hours. When Constant Wairy was summoned Marie was still crying and dabbing her eyes with a handkerchief. Napoleon asked Marie about herself, her family, her marriage to Anastase. Marie talked about the need to restore an independent Poland.
A day or two later at night Marie would see Napoleon again. And these visits would continue every day until Napoleon left Warsaw.
Unless new information has been uncovered and this information has been deemed credible. We can only speculate about what might have transpired between Napoleon and Marie during this second visit.
It doesn't make sense to me at least, that Marie would share the details of her first private meeting with Napoleon, but not say something to her friends and relatives about what a monster he is, how he abused, frightened and mistreated her. Surely, if Marie appeared disturbed and distressed because something did happen that was against her will someone would have noticed? Someone would have talked to her? Someone would have had the decency to whisk her away somewhere safe, somewhere she could be protected from the Emperor? Someone would have sent a strongly worded letter to the Emperor condemning him for his treatment of Marie? Word would have circulated of the Emperor's cruelty and Poles would be forced to reconsider their political alignment--possibly? And if he was so heartless, why on Earth would you go back to him day after day after day?
It could be argued that Marie was so scared and afraid that she didn't dare speak a word against Napoleon. But I don't feel like this holds up because of the fact she willingly goes to stay with Napoleon at Finkenstein in East Prussia for six weeks beginning in the month of April.
"Soon after, he wrote to Marie: 'I would like to see you...It's up to you...Never doubt my feelings for you...' Then on 5 April: 'Would you really be willing to brave the discomfort of the journey? I will see you with the greatest delight, as you can well imagine...I kiss your beautiful hands and your charming mouth. Napole.' " pg 89
This six week period was probably the happiest time of Marie's life.
It seems Napoleon genuinely wanted to marry Marie Walewska, but because of concerns of dynastic legitimacy, creating beneficial political alliances and no doubt the scandal that would be caused by marrying his mistress who bore him a child out of wedlock--Napoleon made other plans.
I lived with Honor but died with dishonor
Is it true that she was forced by her family to marry her first (68 years old) husband, in order to avoid a scandal as she was already pregnant?
Emperor seems quite susceptible
Not really, he's like most people, gives in into the pleasures of the flesh.
Poland was such an asset for France. Marrying Poland, which was also catholic, would make a powerful country that could check three major enemies of France at the same time.
Western domination complex makes any west east nations marriage impossible
they are too full of themselves
they despise any smaller nation eastern of them 😂
Poles made polish Lithuanian union building european power that lasted hundreds years
despite Poles having western mentally and being catholics and Lithuanians being of eastern orthodox mentality and much more Slavic at souls
now Poles have idea to merge with Ukraine but sadly it won't work as Ukraine wants to be more western than polish nation so living in own inferiority complex instead of pride of own origin embracing eastern element
it could work with Belarusian nation though
if chechia was as big as Germany there would be their union in such way long ago
there could be such of Italy with Romania if Romania wouldn't fear loosing own identity and treated as equal
there could be such union between Greece and Armenia if religious differences were resolved
there could be such between Poland and Russia if Russians weren't dumb and Poles stubborn
Had Napoleon not been able to buy a better pants?
One wonders. Thank you for watching.
lol
🙂😍
The video is kind of unclear did he have a boy or girl with her. Did they have living offspring as well through that line to modern day? I enjoyed the video you have to hand it to the lady she seemed like the only one to visit him in exile. She must have been a beauty for sure. Seems like Napoleon tried to make good on all his bastards as well as his 1 legitimate child. But his 2nd wife had no loyalty like Marie that's for sure.
They had a boy named Alexandre.
The golden age movie, Conquest, with Greta Garbo as Countess Marie Waleska, portrays the real life story fairly accurately...
Enjoyed bowling on league nights
Are you sure Napoleon's real love isn't Marechal Berthier?😁
It could be true, you know. LOL.
No it was Tsar Alexander, lmao
No, it was M. Bernadotte.
A T THE LAST MOMENT SHE CHOSE ...COMMON SENSE.wHAT A PITY
Napoleons einziger KIND
No he had three
🇵🇱❤️🇫🇷
We r sub human 2 actual women
Compared to the father of Chopin, or his pretty soldiers, Napoleon Bonaparte couldn't even come up to their big toes...