Waterloo 200 - The Battles

At last I have got around to the final post on Waterloo! The event started on the Tuesday but the actual battle re-enactments weren't until the weekend - the Friday and Saturday. The battlefield was so big that the whole event, camp and battle, took place on it, but were a good 20 mins walk apart!

The fabulous Aurora marching to battle (with my parasol :) ) 

The battle was held in the same place on both nights - a giant cornfield. Walking through it, to get to the camp followers viewing area, was... well interesting! I'm not sure if you have ever experienced walking through hip-high corn in an empire line gown!! It was a challenge to say the least!! :)

Camp followers viewing area.

Waiting for the battle to begin. The battle was essentially the same on both nights. However, viewing-wise the second one was much better as you could actually see what was going on (when there wasn't too much smoke!).  Unfortunately, on the first night, the soldiers were so far away from the spectators that smoke was all you could really see!!

The cavalry charging

British cavalry officer parading the captured French colours.

Firing the cannons!!

This was without a doubt the best reenactment that I have ever been too (despite the serious lack of traders/shops due to the extortionate price the organisers were charging for trader stands). The whole camp/battles were amazing, but it was definitely the people who made it. I saw so many friends from far and wide, many of whom I had no idea were going to attend, so it was such a wonderful surprise to see them all. 

I finish on a rather sad note, as I felt I couldn't write about Waterloo without mentioning the Canadian gentleman who very sadly died of a heart attack on the second day. None of my friends and I knew him, but it really shook everyone. It was so sad, but I hope he had a happy life, and I am glad that he was able to attend at least part of Waterloo 200, an event that (as a fellow Napoleonic reenactor) I can imagine he very much dreamed of being part of.

Waterloo 200 continued...

Here are a few photos that I took of the Allied Camp and all the camps within it.

The Dutch camp

Marching through the British camp

Celebrations in the Swedish camp

Waterloo 200

In June, I was lucky enough to be able to attend the 200th Anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo in Belgium. Getting there was an adventure as I had never driven onto a ferry nor driven in mainland Europe (so driving on the other side of the road!), However, I thankfully made it in one piece, and met up with my group on the ferry and then at the local supermarket in Waterloo (to pick up last minute supplies). 

Waterloo display in the supermarket.

John from my group. Being a frenchman!! :)

We arrived on the Thursday and the event ended on Sunday, so it was the longest reenactment I have ever been to, and probably one of the best.

The main battle reenactments were on the Friday and Saturday, but we spent the rest of the time wondering around the area visiting friends, exploring other camps and the local museum, dancing, and even doing a spot of shopping. :)

On one day we walked up to the top of the famous Lion Mound, taking in the new Waterloo museum on the way.

Walking to the Lion Mound

From the top there were some lovely views of the surrounding countryside.

The tents of the Allied Camp can be seen in the distance.

One evening, early on in the week, the Duchess of Richmond's Ball was held in a house on the outskirts of Brussels.

The location of the ball was fabulous, and the food delicious, but sadly the ballroom was not large enough, so one was not able to dance as often as one wished! :(

However, all in all it was a good night, and halfway through the evening a military band came from the Allied Camp (well actually Canada!), and entertained us with some military tunes. They were a very talented bunch.

Part 2 to follow. :)