Deaths on May 31

Jean Lannes

Died on May 31, 1809

Jean Lannes, French general (b. 1769)

Jean Lannes, 1st Duke of Montebello, Prince of Siewierz (10 April 1769 – 31 May 1809), was a French military commander and a Marshal of the Empire who served during both the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. He was one of Napoleon's most daring and talented generals, and is regarded by many as one of history's greatest military commanders. Napoleon once commented on Lannes: "I found him a pygmy and left him a giant". A personal friend of the emperor, he was allowed to address him with the familiar tu, as opposed to the formal vous.

References

Jean Lannes

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Events on 1809

16 Jan

Battle of Corunna
Peninsular War: The British defeat the French at the Battle of La Coruña.
10 Apr

War of the Fifth Coalition
Napoleonic Wars: The War of the Fifth Coalition begins when forces of the Austrian Empire invade Bavaria.
20 Apr

Battle of Abensberg
Two Austrian army corps in Bavaria are defeated by a First French Empire army led by Napoleon at the Battle of Abensberg on the second day of a four-day campaign that ended in a French victory.
17 May

Papal States
Emperor Napoleon I orders the annexation of the Papal States to the French Empire.
5 Jul

Battle of Wagram
The largest battle of the Napoleonic Wars, the Battle of Wagram is fought between the French and Austrian Empires.

Deaths on May 31

Jean Lannes

Died on May 31, 1809

References

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Events on 1809

Battle of Corunna

War of the Fifth Coalition

Battle of Abensberg

Papal States

Battle of Wagram