In Milan Cathedral on 26 May 1805, Emperor Napoleon was crowned King of Italy by the Cardinal Archbishop of Milan, who presented him with the Iron Crown of Lombardy.
Once the crown was safely on his head, Napoleon said: ‘God gives it to me, beware whoever touches it’.
Hmm.
To mark the day, here’s a fascinating newspaper article from June 1805 that reports on this historic occasion.
Hull Packet – Tuesday 25 June 1805
Image © THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000061/18050625/004/0001
