The Cater Museum

Tag: 1800s

  • The Battle of Salamanca (Arapiles), 22nd July 1812

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    The Battle of Salamanca in July 1812 in Western Spain proved to have important consequences for the French Empire in the Iberian Peninsula. The battle which only lasted a day was won by important decision making by Wellesley, who used flanking manoeuvres and his cavalry forces to defeat the French command. The French losses of…

  • The Battle of Almaraz, 19th May 1812

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    The Battle of Almaraz was one of the less formal battles of the war. It was more of an offensive operation that was a prelude to the battle of Salamanca and so can still be considered important in the context of the war. The 6,000 strong Anglo-Portuguese forces under the control of Lord Hill, (who…

  • The Battle of Fuente De Honor (Fuentes de Oñoro), 5th May 1811

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    The Battle of Fuente De Honor took place in Spain on the Portuguese border. Similarly to previous battles it was a combined force of British, Spanish and Portuguese troops against Napoleon’s Grand Armèe. Wellington and his forces repelled the almost 50,000 strong French army at their defensive stronghold, reportedly killing at least 2,500 French troops.…

  • The Battle of Toulouse, 10th of April 1814

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    Toulouse – 10th April 1814 The Battle of Toulouse was one of the last battles of the Napoleonic Wars and signifies the virtual collapse of the French empire. Toulouse was significant to the French and the region in particular as it was the regional capital. It was resolutely defended by the French who held it…

  • Town Crier’s Bell

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    Oyez, oyez, oyez! This hand bell was used by two of Billericay’s Town Criers to gain attention before they made announcements to the town. The bell was owned originally by Thomas Gentry, a Billericay Town Crier in the mid 19th century. It was passed from Thomas to his successor, Arthur Barfield. Arthur’s daughter returned it…

  • 19th Century Horn Lantern

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    Prior to the use of glass in lanterns, bovine horns could be used instead. By treating the horns, and stretching them they could be utilised to produce a transparent material that had the same effect as glass. Cow horn grows in layers, which makes it easier to separate, iron and then stretch to make the…

  • The Battle of Talavera, 27th July 1809

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    The Battle of Talavera, 75 miles Southwest of Madrid is a primary example of the issues surrounding the box. Following this battle, Wellesley was ennobled as Viscount of Wellington, which would suggest that he performed admirably. However, the allied Anglo-Spanish forces at his disposal suffered more casualties than the French in this fight. Similarly, Wellesley’s…

  • The Battle of Vitoria, 21st June 1813

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    The Battle of Vitoria in June 1813 in Northern Spain can be seen as a decisive moment in the eventual downfall of the Napoleonic Empire. Although the French empire would survive for another two years, the battle at Vitoria in Spain marks the collapse of Napoleonic rule in Spain and therefore one of the first…

  • Gaming set crafted by Napoleonic Prisoners of War (1803-1815)

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    [Best_Wordpress_Gallery id=”4″ gal_title=”Object profile: Gaming set”] The set includes a small wooden box, 50 dominoes and 27 playing cards. The playing cards and dominoes have been hand carved out of animal bones and intricately painted. The box, although now in poor condition, is fairly detailed, with patterns and painted figures down the sides and on…