From Cavalry Commander to Throne: Murat’s Rise to Power
Joachim Murat’s journey to the Neapolitan throne reads like a Napoleonic-era adventure novel. Born the son of an innkeeper in 1767, this charismatic cavalry officer would ride his way into history through a combination of battlefield bravery and strategic marriages. His elevation to King of Naples in 1808 marked the pinnacle of his extraordinary career under Napoleon’s imperial system.
The road to royalty began when Murat married Caroline Bonaparte in 1800, becoming Napoleon’s brother-in-law. This family connection proved invaluable as Napoleon redistributed European thrones to his relatives. When Joseph Bonaparte vacated the Neapolitan throne to assume the Spanish crown, Murat found himself the beneficiary of this imperial reshuffling. The transition was carefully orchestrated from the French resort town of Barèges, where Murat was taking the waters to restore his health, writing enthusiastically about the “fountain of youth” quality of the local springs.
The Making of a Napoleonic Kingdom
Murat’s new realm officially bore the grandiose title “Kingdom of the Two Sicilies,” though in reality he only controlled the mainland portion (the Kingdom of Naples) while Sicily remained under Bourbon and British control. His official designation – “Joachim Napoleon, by the Grace of God and the Constitution of the State, King of the Two Sicilies, Grand Admiral of the Empire” – reflected the careful balancing act of his position as both monarch and French vassal.
The ceremonial transfer of power occurred on August 1, 1808, with Te Deums sung and the city illuminated in celebration. Murat, ever conscious of his image, delayed his arrival to maintain royal mystique, while his wife Caroline eagerly anticipated her debut as queen. Napoleon initially advised against immediate departure due to the summer heat, but changed his mind when Joseph expressed regrets about leaving Naples for Spain’s turbulent situation.
Governing the Kingdom: Challenges and Reforms
Murat’s September 6 entry into Naples showcased his flair for dramatic appearances. Dressed in dazzling uniform with only a single aide (the young cavalry major La Vauguyon), he was greeted by cheering crowds, triumphal arches, and tapestries. The city erected statues depicting Napoleon and Caroline as the goddess Juno, while fireworks lit the harbor.
Beneath the pageantry lay serious challenges. Joseph had left the treasury empty, the military depleted (with elite units sent to Spain), and the navy reduced to a single frigate. Murat faced immediate financial constraints that hampered his ambitious infrastructure plans for roads, bridges, and ports. The new king complained bitterly about being shortchanged by Napoleon, who not only seized Murat’s French properties but also demanded Naples pay for French garrison troops.
Despite these difficulties, Murat implemented popular reforms:
– Reopening ports closed by the Continental System, reviving the crucial fishing industry
– Abolishing military tribunals and ending martial law in Calabria
– Granting amnesty to deserters and political exiles
– Improving soldiers’ rations and pay
– Restoring properties confiscated from pro-Bourbon nobles
These measures earned him significant goodwill among Neapolitans, though they drew Napoleon’s ire for being too lenient toward former enemies.
The Military Campaigns: Triumph and Frustration
Murat’s first military action as king was the October 1808 capture of Capri from British and Sicilian forces under Hudson Lowe (later Napoleon’s jailer on St. Helena). The successful operation demonstrated Murat’s tactical skill but provoked Napoleon’s wrath for not giving proper credit to French forces.
The 1809 Austrian war provided temporary relief from imperial scrutiny. When British-Sicilian forces threatened Naples in May 1809, Murat’s spirited defense transformed into a national movement. The sight of his lone frigate Cerere engaging British ships became legendary, as did Caroline’s brave appearance in an open carriage during the bombardment.
Murat’s most ambitious military undertaking was the planned 1810 invasion of Sicily. Despite assembling 27,000 troops (mostly French) at Reggio, the operation failed due to British naval superiority. A September 17 night attack ended disastrously when British ships intercepted the crossing, capturing 800 Corsican troops. Napoleon was furious at both the failure and Murat’s attempt to spin it as a successful diversion.
The Fracturing of the Napoleonic Alliance
Murat’s relationship with Napoleon deteriorated over several issues:
– Napoleon’s direct interference in Neapolitan governance
– Disputes over implementing the Napoleonic Code (particularly its divorce provisions)
– Conflicts about French soldiers serving in Murat’s army
– Caroline’s political role and rumored infidelities
– Murat’s suspected ambitions regarding Italian unification
The birth of Napoleon’s heir (the King of Rome) in 1811 temporarily improved relations, with Murat rushing to Paris despite imperial displeasure. However, fundamental tensions remained. Murat increasingly pursued Italian nationalist policies, connecting with secret societies like the Carbonari while expanding his army as a potential nucleus for Italian unification.
The Final Years: Between Loyalty and Ambition
As Napoleon prepared his Russian campaign in 1812, he recalled Murat to command the cavalry. The dashing king performed brilliantly in Russia and during the 1813 German campaign, but ultimately abandoned his post to protect his Neapolitan throne. This decision marked his final break with Napoleon.
In 1814, Murat switched sides to preserve his crown, allying with Austria against Napoleon. During the Hundred Days, he launched a disastrous campaign to unite Italy under his rule, ending in defeat and his eventual execution by Bourbon forces in 1815.
Legacy: The Last Knight of Napoleon’s Empire
Murat’s reign left lasting marks on Naples:
– Administrative and legal reforms that outlasted the Napoleonic era
– Infrastructure improvements including the Via Posillipo coastal road
– Cultural patronage that made Naples a center of arts and learning
– The beginnings of Italian nationalist sentiment
Today, Murat is remembered as the most colorful of Napoleon’s marshals – a brilliant cavalryman whose flamboyance and ambition ultimately outpaced his political acumen. His story encapsulates both the possibilities and limitations of Napoleon’s imperial system, where commoners could become kings, but always remained subject to the emperor’s will. The “Napoleon of the Cavalry” remains one of history’s most fascinating royal upstarts, whose dramatic life and reign bridged the revolutionary and restoration eras.