#french eagle

[redarmyscreaming]

Battle Damaged French Eagle Standard (1804)

[bantarleton]

The captured eagles of Waterloo. 

Last week I was lucky enough to be able to view both the French eagles captured at Waterloo.

There is no Napoleonic symbol more famous than that of the Imperial Eagles carried into battle by the French Army. Symbols of their Emperor’s grandeur, they were at the heart of each French regiment’s pride. During the six years of conflict in the Iberian peninsula, the British Army only succeeded in taking three eagles in battle. 

At Waterloo they took two in five minutes.

Napoleon’s first serious attack on the Allied positions on the day of the battle was repulsed by the charge of the British heavy cavalry, the Union Brigade. The brigade’s Scottish regiment, the Scots Greys, smashed into the French 45th Regiment of the Line. Ensign Ewart, one of the Greys officers, told how “One [Frenchman]  made a thrust at my groin, I parried him off and cut him down through the head. A lancer came at me - I threw the lance off by my right side and cut him through the chin and upwards through the teeth. Next, a foot soldier fired at me and then charged me with his bayonet, which I also had the good luck to parry, and then I cut him down through the head.’

One of the brigade’s English regiments, the Royal Dragoons, were meanwhile carving into the French 105th Regiment. Exactly who captured their eagle was disputed, but it was carried, like that of the 45th, back to London in triumph. It remains there in the Tower, while that of the 45th resides in Edinburgh Castle. Both are currently on display in Edinburgh as part of the 200th anniversary commemorations. 

[ciara-adam-antiques]

Second Empire French Cavalry Belt Buckle Napoleon III

Second Empire French Cavalry Belt Buckle Napoleon III Le Second Empire Français Boucle De Ceinture Cavalerie Française Napoléon III High relief of the French Eagle/Aigle de drapeau In great condition, complete with the clip and loop on the back Size is 6.2cm x 6.8cm

Second Empire French Cavalry Belt Buckle Napoleon III Le Second Empire Français Boucle De Ceinture Cavalerie Française Napoléon III

[bantarleton]

The taking of the French Imperial Eagle of the 22ième Regiment de la Ligne at the Battle of Salamanca, 22 July 1812, by Ensign John Pratt of the 30th Foot. A French solider tried to smuggle the Eagle away under his greatcoat, but was discovered by Pratt. It is now held at the Lancashire Infantry Museum and is listed by the Home Office as a British National Treasure. As such it may not be disposed of or taken out of the country, even temporarily, without Government permission.

Only Imperial Eagles captured in battle have survived, those still cherished by their original owners being ordered destroyed after the final defeat of Napoleon. Most were captured in Russia or Prussia and were preserved in St Petersburg or Berlin. There is no record of any of these surviving World War II and it is therefore possible that besides the “Wounded Eagle” of the Musée de l'Armée. the ones held by the British Army are the only examples still in existence.

Pratt’s Eagle, together with another also captured at Salamanca, one more taken at Badajoz, and two found in Madrid, was sent by sea to London by the Duke of Wellington. On arrival they were the centrepieces of a parade called the Deposition of the Eagles, a ceremonial public humiliation held on Horse Guards Parade in front of the Prince Regent.

They were then consigned to Chelsea Hospital where they remained for the next 135 years, being removed only once, in 1852, when for the Iron Duke’s lying in state they were mounted on black poles and placed beside his body in St Paul’s Cathedral.

The Salamanca Eagle was returned ceremonially to the East Lancashire Regiment, successors to the 30th Foot, in 1947.

[bantarleton]

[bantarleton]

This is the third time I've met the French eagle of the 105th regiment, captured at Waterloo.

[retroclipartz]

'French Eagle Holding Flag and Baguette Cartoon' T-Shirt by patrimonio

Cartoon style illustration of a French eagle holding a flag of France and baguette bread set inside circle of isolated background. • Also buy this artwork on apparel, stickers, phone cases, and more.