KINGDOM OF ITALY

MILITARY COLORS  •  NAPOLEONIC ERA

In 1804, when the Empire of the French was proclaimed with Napoleon Bonaparte as Emperor, the Italian Republic was similarly transformed, becoming the Kingdom of Italy, with Napoleon as King. The Republic had been a client state of France and so was the Kingdom, with Napoleon's son in-law, Prince Eugθne de Beauharnais, representing him as Viceroy. With its capital in Milan, the Kingdom encompassed most of northern and northeastern Italy. Originally it included the Dalmatian coast as well but in 1810 these territories were ceded to France. The Army of the Kingdom of Italy was organized along French lines for service as a separate corps within Napoleon's Grand Army. Ultimately there were seven regiments of line infantry, four of light infantry, two of dragoons and four of light horse, plus foot and horse artillery. The Royal Guard had a battalion each (later regiments) of foot grenadiers and foot chasseurs, two squadrons of dragoons, two squadrons of elite gendarmes and, after 1810, five troops of Honor Guards (light cavalry) representing various cities of the Kingdom. The colors and eagles granted to the Italian regiments were based on French models, but with green replacing blue. The initial issues had French inscriptions but later they were changed to Italian. There were three models: 1806-09, 1809-13 and 1813-14. All had a central white lozenge with corners colored green and red. Infantry colors were 80cm square, while cavalry standards were 60cm square (plus fringe). Both were made of oiled silk and carried on a staff surmounted by a gilded bronze eagle with spread wings that was actually the primary standard of the regiment. See also Colors of the French Infantry 1804-15 and Standards of the French Cavalry 1804-15. Images Added January 2018 Elite Gendarmes of the Guard  •  Royal Regiment of Dalmatia

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