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In 1811, both to keep the number of orders, which he was obliged to recognize, within bounds and to stress the allegiance of the different countries to the imperial crown, Napoleon created the Ordre de la Réunion (Order of the Reunion) in The Hague. He suppressed all orders in the kingdoms of his brothers and sister.
The medal is a twelve-point star in white enamel. Groups of intermediate rays alternate with the points; six rays with five arrows each point upwards, whereas the feathered ends point downwards
The circular centre shows a letter N in a laurel wreath. A pale blue circle has an inscription in gold “A JAMAIS” (Forever). The back shows a central medallion with the imperial throne, the back of which is covered in bees. The upper edge of this backside is decorated with an eagle on the wing and two tridents representing the Hanseatic towns. Two lions form the legs and the armrests. One lion holds the seven arrows of Holland, the other the lily of Tuscany. A cushion with a laurel wreath rests on the seat. The front of the seat carries the arms of the Piedmont. We can also see the Roman she-wolf suckling Romulus and Remus. A pale blue enamel circle carries the inscription in gold “TOUT POUR L’EMPIRE” (Everything for the Empire). Two ribbons unite this sign to the imperial crown. A light blue enamel scroll carries the inscription in gold “NAPOLEON FONDATEUR” (Napoleon founder). The crown base is decorated with spread-winged eagles. The ribbon is pale blue watered silk.
Translation of : Les Ordres Français et les Récompenses Nationales; C. BOURDIER 1977
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