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

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 READ MORE…

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

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. READ MORE…

The Battle of Toulouse, 10th of April 1814

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 READ MORE…

The Battle of Talavera, 27th July 1809

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 READ MORE…

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

[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 READ MORE…