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Lot Essay
Nicolas-Jean de Dieu Soult (1769-1851) was created a Marshal of the Empire in May 1804 (the eighth in seniority), and Duke of Dalmatia. Much of his service as a senior general was in Spain (where he faced a British army under Wellington). He was a most distinguished soldier, and even served as Minister of War, although, for a period, he was struck off the list of Marshals of France. He resumed his public career in 1830, and in 1847 was created a Marshal-General of France (one of only three ever appointed).
On French Marshals' batons the eagles of Napoleon had been replaced by the fleurs-de-lys of Louis XVIII and later, in 1830, by stars, on the orders of King Louis-Philippe
On French Marshals' batons the eagles of Napoleon had been replaced by the fleurs-de-lys of Louis XVIII and later, in 1830, by stars, on the orders of King Louis-Philippe