Waterloo Bicentenary

Wellington and Napoleon.

There's a quick round-up of Waterloo 200 commemorations here on my Jane Austen blog.

Funeral for a Hero and Prime Minister

Following the news that Lady Thatcher, one of the most divisive prime ministers of modern times, is to receive a ceremonial funeral with military-style honours, I thought it would be interesting to look at the arrangements for the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, who twice served as prime minister.  

Arthur Wellesley, 1^st Duke of Wellington, saved England (and Europe) from Napoleon’s overweening ambition, and survived Waterloo and the Peninsular Wars.  Wellington was England’s darling when he returned from his amazing victory of June 1815, but his political career was dogged by controversy, notably owing to his uncompromising stance on parliamentary reform.  The Great Reform Bill of 1832 was passed despite his opposition, which earned him some boos at the opening of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway two years earlier.

At Wellington’s funeral on 18 November 1852, however, there was a massive turnout to see the final journey of one of England’s greatest military commanders.  Thousands of people paid their respects in silence as they watched the procession, which included a soldier from every one of the queen’s regiments.  The hearse was escorted by cavalry, six battalions of infantry, military bands including the Scots Fusilier and Coldstream Guards, nine guns (field artillery), eight guns of horse artillery. Prince Albert was in attendance, too. The huge funeral carriage was the same one used for Lord Nelson’s procession.  Very fittingly, Wellington was laid to rest by Nelson in St Paul’s Cathedral.

The expense of the funeral caused a debate in parliament. You can see some illustrations from the Illustrated London News of Wellington’s funeral here on the Victorian Web.  There’s a full description of the ‘order of proceeding’ of the funeral procession here on Google books.   John Drew's ‘'Biographical Sketch of the Military and Political Career of the Late Duke of Wellington, Including the Most Interesting Particulars of His Death, Lying in State, and Public Funeral’ (1852) describes the day of the funeral, too.

Images:Wellington and Napoleon:.History of England Vol. VII, (London, c. 1868.)
The Edge Hill Tunnel entrance on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, Penny Magazine, 31 March 1833. Both images from the author's collection. 

Conflict in Europe

Today is the day we remember the sacrifices and heroism of previous generations in two world wars, as well as more recent conflicts. During late Georgian times, it was Napoleon who plunged Europe into war. Millions of men died to feed his overweening ambition. This was a very anxious time for Cheshire families who had sons, fathers and brothers serving on land and sea. The postman’s knock was eagerly awaited, and newspapers scanned anxiously for tidings of loved ones. The nation went mad with joy when news came of Wellington’s masterly defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1815. The Royal Mail coach bringing the glad tidings to Chester was decked out with ribbons and flags. When Wellington visited Cheshire a few years later, he was given a hero’s welcome. You can find out more about Cheshire's story during those stirring times in Regency Cheshire .

Image: Wellington and Napoleon: Charles Knight’s History of England Vol. VII, (London, c. 1868.)