Was Napoleon the first consul?
 In the French Revolution, all of the French orders of chivalry were abolished, and replaced with Weapons of Honour. It was the wish of Napoleon Bonaparte, the First Consul, to create a reward to commend civilians and soldiers and from this wish was instituted a "", a body of men that was not an order of chivalry, for Napoleon believed France wanted a recognition of merit rather than a new system of nobility. The however did use the organization of old French orders of chivalry for example the "Ordre de Saint-Louis". The badges of the legion also bear a resemblance to the , which also used a red ribbon. 
 