History

The Mural Crown for Conquerors of the Bastille was established on June 19, 1790. It was awarded to each conqueror of the Storming of the Bastille who was not a member of the French Guard. They were sometimes called "Bourgeois Conquerors."

The decorations are classified into two types. The Type I decoration was awarded in 1790, and is pierced three times at the base of the crown. The Type II decoration was awarded in 1832, and is not pierced at the base of the crown. The composition can differ both between and within Types.

Officially, 954 decorations were awarded in 1790, although it was later abolished by the National Convention on August 20, 1793. In 1832, 350 decorations were re-issued to surviving veterans.

Type II decorations were made of bronze. The unofficial inscription “RECOMPSE NLE DÉ A. [RECIPIENT NAME] VAINQR DE LA BASTILLE [1790]” may also appear on the reverse of the crown. This inscription translates to “National Reward to [RECIPIENT NAME] Conqueror of the Bastille.”