A Tie in History: The Battle of Waterloo
On June 18, 1815, the official Battle of Waterloo began near Waterloo, Belgium (Battle). This war zone was located between two ridges and separated by a deep valley (Libert). Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Emperor, had once been taken out of power, and sent to the Isle of Elba (Waterloo) He later returned, ready to defend his country. After hearing of this news of his mighty return, many countries were gearing up against Napoleon and France (Waterloo). Of these countries, two went after him within the Battle of Waterloo. Both Great Britain, led by the Duke of Wellington, and Prussia, led by Blucher, had gotten involved in the war against Napoleon (Battle).
France was the first onto the battlefield waiting for other nations to show up and start the attack. At the start of the battle, Napoleon wanted to make the first move when troops arrived, but a storm had came in, delaying his time (Libert). This allowed Britain and Prussia to get an upper hand on the war (Battle). Prussia was the first to take advantage of Napoleon’s mistake (Battle). They were able to take the French by surprise and defeat part of the Coalition. Miles away, French militants of the other coalition were waiting for the British to arrive from the North near Brussels (Waterloo). However, they never came that way. They then came behind the French army which surprised and caught France off guard (Waterloo). At the end of the war, the battlefield was covered with bodies of soldiers (Herold 142). War had come to an end and France had been defeated. Thousands upon thousands of men were lying on ground. Some men were wounded, others dead (141). While the war continued, many people came to Brussels, waiting for their men to come back. Then when the war had ended and troops left, relatives and lovers met their fate. Lovers, wives, and families went to the battlefield and cried over those whom they had lost (142). With the defeat from the battles and after returning to France, Napoleon was stripped from his powers as Emperor (144). Louis XVIII was placed back into power, with Napoleon being out forever.
The effects of Waterloo were seen throughout Europe. Both Wellington and Blucher saw this battle as a success (Herold 147). The battle had received its name from the Duke of Wellington because his encounter with France was near Waterloo (Libert). Even today, the phrase, “to meet ones Waterloo” means that it is someone who once was great but had been defeated (Waterloo). Which overall, represents Napoleon’s life (Waterloo). Even after Napoleon's life being seen as dominate, yet overpowering, his legacy will last forever (Waterloo). Today, the land of Waterloo is called Lion’s Hillcock, signifying the fight that took place there (Battle).
On June 18, 1815, the official Battle of Waterloo began near Waterloo, Belgium (Battle). This war zone was located between two ridges and separated by a deep valley (Libert). Napoleon Bonaparte, the French Emperor, had once been taken out of power, and sent to the Isle of Elba (Waterloo) He later returned, ready to defend his country. After hearing of this news of his mighty return, many countries were gearing up against Napoleon and France (Waterloo). Of these countries, two went after him within the Battle of Waterloo. Both Great Britain, led by the Duke of Wellington, and Prussia, led by Blucher, had gotten involved in the war against Napoleon (Battle).
France was the first onto the battlefield waiting for other nations to show up and start the attack. At the start of the battle, Napoleon wanted to make the first move when troops arrived, but a storm had came in, delaying his time (Libert). This allowed Britain and Prussia to get an upper hand on the war (Battle). Prussia was the first to take advantage of Napoleon’s mistake (Battle). They were able to take the French by surprise and defeat part of the Coalition. Miles away, French militants of the other coalition were waiting for the British to arrive from the North near Brussels (Waterloo). However, they never came that way. They then came behind the French army which surprised and caught France off guard (Waterloo). At the end of the war, the battlefield was covered with bodies of soldiers (Herold 142). War had come to an end and France had been defeated. Thousands upon thousands of men were lying on ground. Some men were wounded, others dead (141). While the war continued, many people came to Brussels, waiting for their men to come back. Then when the war had ended and troops left, relatives and lovers met their fate. Lovers, wives, and families went to the battlefield and cried over those whom they had lost (142). With the defeat from the battles and after returning to France, Napoleon was stripped from his powers as Emperor (144). Louis XVIII was placed back into power, with Napoleon being out forever.
The effects of Waterloo were seen throughout Europe. Both Wellington and Blucher saw this battle as a success (Herold 147). The battle had received its name from the Duke of Wellington because his encounter with France was near Waterloo (Libert). Even today, the phrase, “to meet ones Waterloo” means that it is someone who once was great but had been defeated (Waterloo). Which overall, represents Napoleon’s life (Waterloo). Even after Napoleon's life being seen as dominate, yet overpowering, his legacy will last forever (Waterloo). Today, the land of Waterloo is called Lion’s Hillcock, signifying the fight that took place there (Battle).
Vanity Fair's Waterloo
The history of the Battle of Waterloo has a role within Vanity Fair. The author, William Makepeace Thackeray, wanted to portray the actual historical event of the Battle of Waterloo, to personify the idea of the possibility of this society being true (Dow). With this, characters in Vanity Fair face challenges with the return to power of Napoleon Bonaparte and the war. Amelia Sedley's father had lost all of his money, after Napoleon had returned to power as Emperor of France. Having the idea of this historical event, Vanity Fair is still a fictional novel, meaning that the story is not true. However, there are some nonfictional aspects within Thackeray's views. This whole idea was to show the connections between characters and how war affects people in life (Dow). For example, the main scene of the war, when George leaves Amelia to go to war, is relatable to all women who have said goodbye to their husband or loved one and fear that they may never come back (Dow). The same idea happens when men did not return home from war (Dow). The women are left waiting and wondering what could happen to their loved ones. Amelia had this feeling as well, but fate turned against her and she lost her husband, George in the battle. To her he was considered her hero. Overall, adding a true historical event allows readers to have connections to true life situations.