Special Sub-Topic: Empress Josephine: The Early Years Click Here To Play: Empress Josephine: The Early Years

What was Josephine's actual name?

Marie-Rose de Tascher de la Pagerie. Josephine was born as Marie-Rose de Tascher de la Pagerie in Trois-Ilets, Martinique on June 23, 1763.

Who was Josephine's father?

Joseph-Gaspard de Tascher. Josephine's father was a lieutenant of the Troupes de Marine and his wife was Rose-Claire des Vergers de Sanois, whose maternal grandfather was English.

In what year did hurricanes destory Josephine's family's estate?

1766. The hurricanes put Josephine's family in a financial crisis.

What was the name of Josephine's sister who was suppose to marry Alexandre, Vicomte de Beauharnais?

Catherine. Catherine was originally suppose to marry Alexandre, Vicomte de Beauharnais but she died on October 16, 1777 before even leaving for France. Catherine was then replaced by Josephine, her older sister.

In what year did Josephine marry Alexandre?

1779. Josephine and Alexandre married on December 3,1779 in Noisy-le-Grand, which is about ten miles east of Paris. Alexandre was Josephine's first husband.

What was the names of Josephine's two children by Alexandre?

Eugène and Hortense. Eugène de Beauharnais was born in 1781 and died in 1824. Hortense de Beauharnais was born in 1783 and died in 1837.

On what date did the Committee of General Security order the arrest of Alexandre?

March 2, 1794. On March 2, 1794, during the Reign of Terror, the Committee of General Security ordered the arrest of Alexandre, and he was then jailed in the Carmes prison.

On what date was Josephine arrested?

April 19, 1794. Considering Joséphine as too close to the counter-revolutionary financial circles, the Committee ordered her arrest on April 19, 1794. A warrant of arrest was issued against her on 2 Floréal, year II (April 21, 1794), and she was imprisoned in the Carmes prison until 10 Thermidor, year II (July 28, 1794). She was freed thanks to the trial of Robespierre.

In what year was Josephine allowed to collect the possessions of Alexandre?

1795. In June 1795, thanks to a new law, Josephine was allowed to recover the possessions of Alexandre.

In what year was Alexandre's death sentence carried out?

1794. Alexandre accused of having poorly defended Mainz in 1793. He was considered an aristocratic "suspect" and was sentenced to death. He was guillotined on July 23, 1794, one year after the Siege of Mainz, together with his brother Augustin, on the Place de la Révolution (today's Place de la Concorde) in Paris.