Capturing an Eagle at Waterloo

For the first time in two centuries a Napoleonic Eagle captured on the battlefield at Waterloo has been reunited with the long-lost medal of the soldier who won it. Here General Barney White-Spunner, Waterloo expert, author and former Household Cavalry commander, tells us how the eagle was captured, who captured it and why it remains important to this day.

The Household Cavalry Museum will officially reopen this summer championing this Waterloo story and many others in a new exhibition from 21st June to 26th September. We'll be putting on special Waterloo walking tours, activity trails and special events. The new exhibition will explore the courage, carnage and controversies of Wellington’s cavalry at a battle which secured almost a century of peace in Europe.

[HouseholdCavalryMuseum]

Comments and views much appreciated all, thanks for watching and for letting us know your thoughts.

Do visit the Museum at Horse Guards some time to see our two Waterloo cabinets which between them include not only the Styles medal and an Anglesey leg, but also one of Marengo's hooves.

We were sad to miss out on running a Waterloo archaeology programme this summer due to not securing the funding bid we applied for, but we hope to try again in 2023 and bring you even more new Waterloo content then.

(Sorry about the slip of the tongue re: George III / the Prince Regent. It was a very busy day...!)

[chrismac]

Taking an eagle at Waterloo! THAT'S SOLDIERING!

[morstyrannis]

My grandfather was a surgeon in the Canadian Army in WW1. He purchased a small brass Napoleonic eagle about 40mm tall from a farmer near Waterloo. Farmers were still finding artifacts in their fields more than a 100 years after the battle.

[daviddixon]

One of my best friends ancestors also was famous for capturing an Eagle at Waterloo. He was called Ensign Ewart, there is a pub named after him in Edinburgh.

[nsvsbpe]

This is all very impressive but don’t let it distract you from the fact Sean Bean single handedly defeated the imperial guard winning the battle of Waterloo in the mid 90’s. I don’t know where this guy got the idea there were thousands of soldiers there, we all know the entire peninsula war was fought by about 100 extras and 4 horses. I wish people would fact check their historical sources better.

[philipprice]

Wellington and Nelson are both interred in the crypt of St Paul's Cathedral, very close to eachother. I visited it and stood between their tombs and waited until I was almost alone. It struck me that, for that brief period, I was the closest person on earth to the mortal remains of the 2 giants of Engish/British military history. I was awe struck and felt a profound sense of humility and pride in my country.

[hiddenfromhistory]

Very informative, thank you. My great-great-great-great grandfather commanded an infantry square of the Welch Fusiliers under Picton at Waterloo. He and his men endured several assaults of Ney's heavy cavalry and their square was nearly decimated. Grandfather's brother was killed but he survived to immigrate to Canada in 1829 (free land was given there to any retired British army officer). When I visited the Waterloo battlefield it felt very poignant and haunting.

[timmilne]

The Household Cavalry museum is one of the most phenomenal small museums that you could ever visit. It’s power does not come from its vastness, but the compactness of its very personal collection across the centuries.

[chrn]

Like the fact that the Regiment recognised that a trooper captured the eagle, not the officer.

[ericswain]

If this man says "people just like us" then we are in good company. Respect to him for his life long service to his country.

[bengreen]

Clerkenwell boy myself. To think that some of the streets I knew as a kid might have been recognised by him. We really do walk on the shoulders of heroes, their breath is all around us. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this very well presented video and as a Veteran myself obviously very proud of the multinational history of Waterloo.

[paulbutterworthbillericay]

Absolutely well delivered, love the History, interestingly enough the 11th Baron of Ingatestone Hall Essex, Lord William Petre, captured Napoleon's War Horse 'Marengo', from Waterloo, out of Napoleon's 50 horses Marengo was his favourite, immortalised in the famous painting, Lord Petre brought the horse back to Ingatestone Hall where it would have been ridden, today I painted the South Porch of the old Church which overlooks this glorious farm land here near the old Hall, fascinating to listen to this story.
Another connection to Waterloo I came across in Essex Churches, in North Benfleet a memorial stands to a veteran who died still had a musket ball imbeded in his for all these years, the wonderful memorial was smashed several years ago by delinquents, I do remember a group of reenactment soldiers from the period, were on route to an event in Belgium, having been cancelled by the dreaded Civid they turned ip in full uniform and played the last post at the memorial, his wonderful is that!

[fokkerdred]

I'm happy to hear that his Regiment recognized his bravery in capturing this Eagle. Quite frankly it wasn't until I started watching the Sharpes Series with Sean Bean that I understood the importance of capturing the Eagle or for that matter the French capturing the Kings Colors. Now hearing you tell this story confirms that it wasn't just fiction. Thank you so much

[michael]

Great video, my 4th great grandfather & his 2 brothers where in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, Union Brigade at Waterloo. Glad to see that people take an interest in this remarkable battle.

[Matt.]

I walk past the church so often, I didn’t know he was laid to rest there. Great video

[hunterluxton]

Superb story telling. Thank you very much for sharing this. It makes me proud as a Brit and ex British soldier. 👍

[russthebiker]

It was so nice to Listen to this officers voice, his enthusiasm and pride in his regiment are obvious, but more than that he explained to me, in a way my teachers never could, a vital stage of the battle and brought it all to life so that i could better understand the actions that day
I look forward to visiting the museum, and I shall never tire of the sounds of horses hooves as they ride out from the barracks, no other Country in the world can ever capture that something special that the Guards Maintain

[RedcoatsReturn]

A fascinating and excellent insight to The Battle of Waterloo, Wellington remains my all time war hero 🇬🇧 I have visited Apsley House several times but not the Household Cavalry Museum and will try to do so this year 😊

[Mugdorna]

Capturing a Eagle?
Now that's soldiering!

[philread]

An ancestor of mine joined the Royal Dragoons and fought in four battles the last being Waterloo. He was with Captain Clark at the time. He was just twenty. He left for India in 1816 and joined the Madras army where he retired aged 69.