The last two months have been the busiest period I can remember for Napoleonic Events. We started at Old Sarum where siege conditions were recreated around the ancient fort. The battery of canon pounding away at the French defenders, brought home just how noisy a Napoleonic battlefield must have been and few will forget the spectacular charge by the 12th Light Dragoons across the narrow drawbridge of the fort.
Two weeks later and it was a matter of a small skirmish just outside Brussels. Waterloo 1995 will no doubt be the feature in both pictures and prose of many an article. Seeing the difficulty experienced in trying to get 2-3000 re-enactors to form columns and lines at the right time, failing, but getting on with it anyway left me thinking even more highly of those generals and officers who achieved such great things 180 years ago with armies of 70,000. Sitting down in the cold light of day, putting a different complexion on events, it suddenly dawned on me that in addition to storming 'LA Haie Sainte' I had taken part in a successful infantry charge on cavalry!
Just in case you thought that Waterloo was a British victory, two weeks later troops were being rushed to Norfolk to repel a French Invasion. They arrived in the nick of time. Fritton Lake though was an excellent venue for an event, and I hope it won't be very long before we return. Radio 4 came along to record the sounds of battle - courtesy of First Empire - and readers may like to keep an eagle eye - or ear! - out in the next few months for a new radio series called 'Random Editions'. Featuring newspaper articles from the past, one programme will relate and article from The Times of 1814 about Napoleons fate at the battle of Laon.
Whilst this is going to press we will be inspecting the "Grande Armée" in bivouac along the coast from Boulogne with just the possibility of a counter attack from these shores.
August sees two events of a different nature followed by a major battle spectacular.
Sutton in Ashfield, Notts 12th August.
This carnival event will feature displays of the arms and equipment of Napoleon's Grande Armée. French Infantry, Cavalry and Artillery will parade and welcome you to look from close quarters at the clothing and weapons of the French Army.
Audley End House, Essex
12/13th August
The same weekend will feature a Regency Fair at this splendid English Heritage property near Saffron Walden. Living history and craft displays will predominate with the opportunity to visit some British regiments in their camp, and to see some cavalry demonstrations.
Margam Park, South Wales
26/27/28th August
This marvellous Country Park near Port Talbot in West Glamorgan will be the setting for the final NA Battle Spectacular of 1995. Acres of countryside, a castle and period Orangery will provide the backdrop for a 'Campaign' on the Saturday, followed by a full show featuring period encampments, parades and displays culminating in a battle on both the Sunday and Bank Holiday Monday. Cavalry, Infantry and Artillery will be on display backed up by the Royal Artillery Band at this event which will also boast an Antiques & Craft fair.
Any readers who are not yet members of a re-enactment unit who would like to come and have a short break for this weekend should contact me and I will be pleased to supply details of camping facilities. Any traders who would like to attend should also get in touch for details.
Chateaureux
9/10th September
There hasn't been sufficient response to run transport to this event in the Loire valley, but if anyone wishes to go privately they should contact me and I will provide information.
Austerlitz 1/3rd December 1995
Booking forms and full details of this event will be sent out in a mailing to NA members shortly.
If you would like further information on the Napoleonic Association please write to me at 5 Thingwall Drive, Irby, Wirral, Merseyside. L61 3XN
More Newsdesk:
Back to Table of Contents -- First Empire #24
Back to First Empire List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Master Magazine List
© Copyright 1995 by First Empire.
This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com