Rare French Peer Patent of General Count Rampon. - Lot 65

Rare French Peer Patent of General Count Rampon. Natural painted coat of arms top left. On vellum, made January 20, 1820 and signed by the Minister Secretary of State for Justice, Count Decaze and "Louis" (Louis XVIII). With its ribbons (cut) and its complete green wax seal representing King Louis XVIII in majesty and the Arms of France and Navarre. In its iron sheet case (incomplete). A.B.E. Restoration period. Gules, three pyramids Or, surmounted to the sinister by a redoubt Argent, above which is an M Or; in the franc canton Azure, charged with a dexter sword Argent, holding a sword Argent hilt and pommel Or. This coat of arms recalls two significant events in Rampon's career, the heroic defence of the Monte Legino redoubt on April 10, 1796, where Rampon made his soldiers swear to die rather than surrender, and the valiant conduct during the Egyptian campaign, particularly during the Battle of the Pyramids. Biography: General Count Antoine Rampon, senator and peer of France, born in St Fortunat in March 1759, died in Paris in April 1842. After having distinguished himself several times, he was appointed Colonel-in-Chief of the 129th Half-Brigade in October 1793. At the head of the 32nd Line Half-Brigade, Rampon covered himself with glory at the battles of Montenotte, Dego, Castiglione, Lonato, Arcole, Rivoli... He was appointed Brigadier General after Dego. Embarked with the Egyptian army, Rampon still shows his worth during the battles of Aboukir, the Pyramids or Heliopolis, he takes part in the siege of St Jean d'Acre. He was appointed second in command to Jacques "Abdallah" Menou after the death of Kleber. On his return, he received a sword of honour from the First Consul and was appointed Senator under the Empire, Grand Officer of the Legion of Honour and Commander of the Iron Crown. In 1814 he supported the siege of Antwerp but had to capitulate. Returned to France.