It mattered little that the overthrow of the Neapolitan Bourbons offended the Czar, who had undertaken the protection of that House.
As though intent on browbeating Alexander by an exhibition of his power, Napoleon lavished Italian titles on his Marshals and statesmen.
Talleyrand became Prince of Benevento; and Bernadotte, Prince of Ponte-Corvo (two Papal enclaves in Neapolitan soil).

To these and other titles were attached large domains (not divisible at death), which enabled his paladins and their successors to support their new dignities with pomp and splendour; especially was this so with the two titles which his bargains with Prussia and Bavaria enabled him to bestow.

Thanks to the complaisance of their Kings, the Grand Duchy of Berg and Cleves was granted to Murat, while the energetic and trusty Berthier was rewarded with the Principality of Neufchatel and a truly princely fortune.[69] Thus was founded the Napoleonic nobility; and thus was fulfilled Mme.
de Stael's prophecy that the priests and nobles would be the _caryatides_ of the future throne.

The change was brought about skilfully.

It took place when pride in Napoleon's exploits was at its height, and when the "Gazette de France" asserted: "France is henceforth the arbitress of Europe....