Homepage

Record

Browse this collectionThis entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection
Archive Reference / Library Class No.D5459/1/93/23
Former ReferenceD5459/1/153
TitleThe Arch-duke Charles and his Corsican Crocodile!!
Date[1800-1809]
DescriptionThe archduke, wearing a cocked hat holds a chain attached to the collar of a crocodile. The crocodile is wearing a crown and crying.

The archduke announces:
"This ladies and gentlemen, is the real Corsican Crocodile, -_ lately caught on the banks of the Danube, _ he is very fond of wandering _ only observe his tears, he is a complete deception, _ what is very extraordinary an old hat he wore on the Island of Corsica, is changed to an Imperial Crown but lately it has been observed to be tottering." Available on CD 158.
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
ArtistWoodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809)
Archive CreatorGeorge Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer
Further InformationArch-duke Charles of Austria (1771-1847) inflicted a defeat on Napoleon at Aspern-Essling in 1809, it is probably to this that the description of the Imperial crown 'tottering' refers.

Napoleon is shown as a crocodile because of their insincerity (crocodile tears) and, it has been suggested, because of their association with Egypt, where Napoleon had begun campaigning in 1798
Physical DescriptionPencil drawing with text in ink. Size 346 x 255 mm.
CopiesA digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office.
Related MaterialFor more depictions of Napoleon see D5459/1/91 etc. For more on the battle at Aspern Essling see D5459/1/93/19
Image

The Arch-duke Charles and his Corsican Crocodile!!

Places
Place (click for further details)Type
EgyptCountry
Add to My Items
    Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), naval officer and arctic explorer

    Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), naval officer and arctic explorer

    Useful Links

    See more Collection highlights

    Bryan Donkin Company Ltd of Chesterfield, engineering firm
    Bryan Donkin Company Ltd of Chesterfield, engineering firm
    Local Studies Periodicals
    Local Studies Periodicals
    National Coal Board
    National Coal Board
    Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), naval officer and arctic explorer
    Sir John Franklin (1786-1847), naval officer and arctic explorer
    Collection Highlights