Page 66 - History of War - Issue 01-14

WATERLOO BATTLEFIELD VISIT

sounds and smells of war. As well as the re-
enactment, the itinerary takes in excursions to The many faces of
the Lion’s Mound Visitors’ Centre, the Waterloo
Wellington Museum and principal sites on Napoleon Bonaparte
the battlefi eld, including the myriad memorials
to the fallen and the three fortifi ed buildings Napoleon Bonaparte may have been one of the most
that remain on Wellington’s ridge: Papelotte outstanding Generals in military history, but his talents
(now altered from the structure that stood didn’t end there. In 1795, aged just 26, he wrote a novel
in 1815), La Haye Sainte and Hougoumont. entitled Clisson et Eugénie, which told the story of a
failed romance between a soldier and his lover – widely
Memorable tour acknowledged to be based on his own relationship with
Eugénie Désirée Clary. But history suggests that the
Accompanying visitors throughout the tour, Emperor was no great lover of women. According to the
primed to inform and educate, are Leger’s Napoleonic Code, a French civil system established by
guides, whose knowledge and expertise on the leader in 1804, women were required to be obedient
this battle and warfare in general are second to their husbands, and the Emperor was also known to
to none. “We’ve been undertaking various deliberately spoil the clothing of women he disapproved
versions of Waterloo tours for many years,” of, by spilling ink or food on it. For somebody who rarely
explains David Warren, a Leger Specialist showed fear in battle, Napoleon’s phobias were curious,
Battlefi eld Guide. “We also operate a to say the least: he was said to be afraid of cats and open
doors (his visitors were often required to squeeze through
Walking The Waterloo Battlefi elds Tour, which a tiny gap). The French leader was also a workaholic who
incorporates visits to the nearby Waterloo would often sleep for just three or four hours a night.
campaign battlefi elds of Ligny, Quatre-Bras and Perhaps tiredness contributed to his defeat at Waterloo.
Wavre, so we have plenty of information and
anecdotes about those sites.” Last year, Leger
also commenced the At War With Wellington Memorable is indeed the word, and History Of Leger, those who wish to attend this historic site
– The Peninsular War Tour, which studies War left Waterloo with a much clearer image of are enabled to do so in comfort and assisted
the Duke’s campaigns in Spain and France what happened when Napoleon came up against by a specialist battlefi eld guide. Waterloo
between 1809 and 1814. the Seventh Coalition nearly 200 years ago. is truly an experience not to be missed.” w
So what kind of people embark on battlefi eld
visits? The consensus from the guides is VISITORS RANGE FROM
that you don’t have to be an avid historian Waterloo Anniversary Re-Enactment Tour
or military buff – although, if you fi t into that ENTHUSIASTS TO THOSE WITH
category, there will always be something new The next tour takes place on 20 June, while
for you to learn. On our visit, we saw everyone NO PRIOR INTEREST IN THE there will be two tours for the 200th anniversary
from pensioners to groups of students soaking of Waterloo in 2015. A four-day tour by coach,
up the atmosphere while studying a guide NAPOLEONIC PERIOD departing from a choice of 510 regional joining
points in the UK, starts at £269* per person.
book. “The Waterloo Anniversary Re-Enactment
Tour attracts customers from all walks of life *Price includes early-booking discount of £20 per
and nationalities,” Warren tells History Of War. As the French military maestro himself once person when you book by 28 February for 2014
departures and 30 April for 2015 departures.
“They range from enthusiasts to those with said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
no prior interest in the Napoleonic period. But “What makes this particular battlefi eld tour For further details,
one thing they all have in common is that they unique is the commitment of the Belgians to call 0844 324 9256
or visit
participate in everything on offer to the best of organising an anniversary event that worthily www.visitbattlefi elds.co.uk
their ability and health, and thus contribute to remembers what happened at Waterloo,”
making a successful and memorable tour.” concludes Warren. “Through the services of

Napoleon was overwhelmed by
the numbers that confronted him

Mary Evans

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