Napoleon establishes the Legion of Honour (1802)

Napoleon Bonaparte established the Legion of Honour in May 1802 to encourage civilian and military achievements. The order, consisting of five classes, was originally created by Napoleon and later became an order of chivalry after the empire was proclaimed in 1804. It remains the highest and most prestigious French national institution, both military and civil.

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Background and detail

Background. The National Order of the Legion of Honour is the highest and most prestigious French national institution, both military and civil. It consists of five classes and was originally established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte. The order was created to encourage civilian and military achievements, with members being military personnel and civilians with distinguished service to the state.

Establishment. In May 1802, Napoleon Bonaparte instituted the Legion of Honour to encourage civilian and military achievements. The members were to be military personnel and civilians with distinguished service to the state. The order was originally established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte.

Later Development. The Legion of Honour became an order of chivalry after the empire was proclaimed in 1804. After Napoleon crowned himself Emperor of the French in 1804 and established the Napoleonic nobility in 1808, award of the Légion d'honneur gave right to the title of "Knight of the Empire" (Chevalier de l'Empire).

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