Military Household of the Emperor

The coat of arms of the French Imperial House during the First Empire

The Military Household of the Emperor (French: Maison Militaire de l'Empereur) was the immediate entourage of the Emperor of the French during the First French Empire. At the end of december 1806, no less than 800 men were members of the Military Household (200 for the saddle crew, 200 for the light crew and 400 for the harness crew). Three main functions were its main components:

• Military and administrative functions:
  • Grand Marshal of the Palace, the most noteworthy of who was general Duroc;
  • Grand Squire of the Emperor, most noteworthy of who was general marquis de Caulaincourt;
  • The Chief of Staff of the Army (major général), most noteworthy of who was Marshal Berthier;
  • the governor of the pages;
  • The Squire of the Empress.

• Military Functions:
  • Generals without assignment who are available for temporary assignments;
  • the 7 aides-de-camp of the Emperor, who have their own aides-de-camp;
  • the 12 batmen of the Emperor, usually officers;
  • the Emperor's Cabinet;
  • the Private Secretariat;
  • the espionage service;
  • the archives service;
  • one translator-secretary;
  • the topographical bureau;

• Civil Functions:
  • the Emperor's personal service:
    • the 4 menservants of the Emperor;
    • the administrator of the gardens;
    • the mameluke of the Emperor.
  • Other services:
    • the marshal of the palace;
    • the prefect of the palace;
    • the chamberlains;
    • the squires;
    • the surgeons;
    • the doctor;
    • the crown's payer;
    • the low-ranking personnel (menservants, cooks, grooms etc.)

References

Alain Pigeard, „Dictionnaire de la Grande Armée”, Tallandier, Bibliothèque Napoléonienne, 2004, ISBN 2-84734-009-2, p. 381-382.