The keys of the city of Amersfoort, presented to (and left behind by) Napoleon.
Tuesday October 29, 1811 Napoleon visited Amersfoort. Facades were decorated, and two wooden triumph arches were erected. The government wrote the city counsel a letter to announce this visit:
"… un evénement qui rendra la ville d'Amersfoort immortelle à la posterité."
Haha, sure. He drove through Amersfoort on his way from Utrecht to palace ’t Loo in Apeldoorn. About 5 o’clock in the afternoon, while the horses were changed, the keys of the city were presented.
A small speech was delivered, and even before this speech had reached its conclusion he was already gone at full gallop (he wanted to reach his destination before sundown).
next episode: Amsterdam
Well, Rob, it should give you comfort to know that you have probably done more to make Amersfoort known to the world than Napoleon.
ReplyDeleteMerci!
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