Cavalié Mercer s Waterloo Campaign. The Man, his early & later life, G Troop RHA, & the Campaign truly unveiled.

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "Cavalié Mercer s Waterloo Campaign. The Man, his early & later life, G Troop RHA, & the Campaign truly unveiled."

Emily Page
6 years ago
Views:

1 Cavalié Mercer s Waterloo Campaign The Man, his early & later life, G Troop RHA, & the Campaign truly unveiled.

The Life & Campaign of the most famous junior officer at Waterloo The Journal of the Waterloo Campaign, re-appraised The Journal of the Waterloo Campaign, re-appraised.

2 The Life & Campaign of the most famous junior officer at Waterloo The Journal of the Waterloo Campaign, re-appraised The Journal of the Waterloo Campaign, re-appraised. Follow Captain Cavalié Mercer on his personal journey through the Waterloo Campaign, discover the very latest re-interpretations of his Journal and the wider campaign. The momentous events of 18th June 1815 still shape the world we enjoy today. Amongst the many who participated and recorded their experiences, one man's record has risen to the very top. Captain Alexander Cavalié Mercer of the élite Royal Horse Artillery s famous 'Journal of the Waterloo Campaign, much admired, debated and critiqued by historians and enthusiasts, is often cited as the finest battlefield account of all time. So what turned an ordinary man, faced with extraordinary events, into the legend he became? Drawing on unique and extensive unpublished research we establish the truth, the doubts, and how his experience compared to those around him in the incredible events they shared. And what of his life, before and after, what made Mercer the man he became? We follow Mercer and G Troop's route to Bruges, stay where he stayed, eat where he dined, following the key parts of his route as he and his troop whiled away the weeks before the fighting commenced.

3 Date Saturday 1st September to Saturday 8th September 2018 Duration Eight days / Seven Nights All-Inclusive* We start in Bruges, follow Mercer's journey to Waterloo, cover the Waterloo Campaign, and finish in Ghent, staying in quality 4* accommodation throughout, with all meals, tours, transport and entrance fees covered. Options Extend your stay with additional hotel nights available pre-tour in Bruges, and post-tour in Ghent * All-Inclusive excludes extras at your request, such as hotel room service, laundry, fridge and additional drinks We'll follow in his footsteps, visit the sights he described in Bruges, in Ghent, in the cavalry cantonments, his sojourn at Strijtem, his sightseeing at Gaasbeek, now the jewel in the crown of Belgian Heritage, and see first-hand some of the original records discovered there. We'll follow his route on the packed roads to Quatre Bras, as smoke rose on the horizon, and as the wounded staggered towards him. Mercer's recollections of landscape, architecture, of people and places, feelings, failings and triumph will be fully brought to life, interspersed with revelations which transform our understanding of the man and his achievements. As we join the Campaign we'll cover the very latest strategic interpretations at all the major battlefields, the routes of Mercer, plus the perambulations of D'Erlon, the march of the Prussians and so many aspects of the campaign that remain under-appreciated to this day. Whilst we don t have time to include many of the more detailed tactical aspects of our June Waterloo Battlefield Tour, we look at many aspects of the campaign in more strategic detail, such as the plans and expectations of the Allies, and how that affected the unfolding campaign. We also visit places not covered in June such as Grouchy s route following part of the Prussian army, to see where the famous strawberries at Walhain incident occurred. We cover the first two battles of Waterloo (yes there were two before 1815!) and appreciate the role of the Gembloux Gap and Dyle at the start of WW2. Our tour ends in Ghent to visit Louis XVIII s and the French loyalist s home, talk of spies, Belgian Chocolate and allow some time for end-of-tour shopping.

Our Battles Mercer s personal battles, plus we follow the giants Napoleon, Wellington and Blücher, with their cohorts commanded by Grouchy & Ney, Gneisenau and Prince

4 Our Battles Mercer s personal battles, plus we follow the giants Napoleon, Wellington and Blücher, with their cohorts commanded by Grouchy & Ney, Gneisenau and Prince William of Orange. 15th June 1815 Frasnes 16th June 1815 Ligny, Quatre Bras 17th June 1815 Genappe 18th June 1815 Waterloo, Wavre & Bierges 19th June 1815 Bierges & Rixensart

Culinary Attractions We delight in good food and wine We do more than just enjoy great food and wine with our evening meals; we ve ensured great tastes along the way.

5 Culinary Attractions We delight in good food and wine We do more than just enjoy great food and wine with our evening meals; we ve ensured great tastes along the way. In Bruges we make a few impromptu stops at some of the best-smelling chocolate emporiums of them all, including one named in the Michelin Guide! Whilst in Waterloo we enjoy a range of classic cuisines, and one special evening in illuminated Brussels to enjoy the capital s culinary fare. In Ghent we stay in the best hotel with the finest restaurant in the City. Our final stay includes a very special visit to a true master chocolatier (and historian!) who has no website, but combines intoxicating flavours in his creations. Myrrh & Frankincense? Sunflower & Paprika? Wood & Tobacco? Ganache & Porcini? Wow!

Our Hotels Navarra Bruges, Martins Grand Waterloo, Grand Reylhof Ghent Our very own research uncovered Bruges' Navarra as the "Hôtel du Commerce" described in Mercer's Journal.

6 Our Hotels Navarra Bruges, Martins Grand Waterloo, Grand Reylhof Ghent Our very own research uncovered Bruges' Navarra as the "Hôtel du Commerce" described in Mercer's Journal. Still boasting a staircase installed for Napoleon, what a fabulous start to our tour! Our Waterloo sojourn is at its best hotel, Martin's Grand, originally a "sucrerie" when sweet tastes were all the rage. We end in the "Pepper Street Palace" described by Mercer in Ghent, in the city's finest and most historic hotel. Quality through and through.

Day by Day Itinerary Premium Transport throughout. Your tour starts in Bruges. 1st September: Gather, Meet & Greet Join us in Bruges at 2PM when we gather at our hotel where Mercer dined and slept.

7 Day by Day Itinerary Premium Transport throughout. Your tour starts in Bruges. 1st September: Gather, Meet & Greet Join us in Bruges at 2PM when we gather at our hotel where Mercer dined and slept. Welcome, tour introduction, Royal Guild of St. Sebastiaan (the founding place of the Grenadier Guards), the old cavalry barracks, acclimatisation sightseeing, era setting & dinner. 2nd September: Cultural Bruges Introduction to Mercer and G Troop RHA. Follow Mercer in his tour of the sights of Bruges including Markt Square & Belfort, Eglise Notre Dame, Michelangelo's Madonna & Child, canal trip, Burg Square & Stadhuis, tales from Mercer's early life, his first impression of the continent and continentals, chocolate & beer. 3rd September: Cantonments, Pleasures & Orders Through Mercer's eyes: Visit the sights of The Grand cavalry review, Ninove & Uxbridge, Strijtem & Chateau, Kasteel Gaasbeek, Mercer's route to Quatre Bras via the Enghien park wall, Braine le Comte, Bois de la Houssiere, Nivelles. Hotel & Dinner at Martin's Grand Waterloo. 4th September: Invasion, Strategic Ney v Wellington, D'Erlon, Napoleon v Blucher. Mercer at Quatre Bras & retreat Mercer's route to Quatre Bras via Houtain le Val. We review the strategic situation of the 16th June: Visits to the sites of Battle of Quatre Bras, Frasnes, Roman Road, Brye, Tombe de Ligny, Sombreffe. Back to Quatre Bras. Follow Wellington's retreat on the 17th: See Mercer's firing positions and the lane where he was nearly captured, his true experiences with the cavalry at Genappe, and the sandpit where he discovered the army in position at Waterloo. Finish with a visit to the Lion Mound, Panorama & Memorial museum.

Your Lead Guide Robert Pocock Bio The acknowledged authority on the life of Cavalié Mercer, the most famous junior officer at Waterloo and author of the finest first-hand account of any military

8 Your Lead Guide Robert Pocock Bio The acknowledged authority on the life of Cavalié Mercer, the most famous junior officer at Waterloo and author of the finest first-hand account of any military campaign. Robert's extensive original research casts an exceptional light on accepted history. His studies of Mercer s intimate diaries introduces us to a fascinating individual and life. Robert has brought to life fresh knowledge on the soldier's sojourns in the medieval cities of Bruges and Ghent, visiting ancient chateaux and landscapes that have somehow been missed from the Waterloo story. His appreciation of the impact of wider eras ranges from Marlborough to WW2, bringing a fresh dynamic to Waterloo s role in history. Robert is a Director & Founder of Campaigns & Culture Ltd. Supported by GARETH GLOVER 5th September: Battle of Waterloo, Strategies, Terrain & Mercer View the French front line visiting Le Caillou, Belle Alliance and the site of the grand battery. Walk along the French line to Frichermont, Smohain and Papelotte. Then climb up onto the Allied ridge to discuss D'Erlon's attack & repulse and to view La Haye Sainte. Coach to Mercer's position in Braine L'Alleud, and on to Chemin de la Maison du Roi to walk the French approach to Hougoumont from the South West. Visit Hougoumont. Walk around Hougoumont's wall viewing 'the killing ground' and the site of the orchard, and on up the track towards Mercer's ridge. French cavalry attacks, repulse of Imperial Guard. Coach to Mont St Jean brewery tour & medical museum. 6th September: Where's Grouchy? Pursuit & Arrival of the Prussians, last moments of the Imperial Guard Follow Grouchy s march towards Wavre and his actions around the town at Gembloux, Walhain, and Bierges. Follow the Prussians as they march to join Wellington at Waterloo along Vieux Chemin du Poete, Chapelle St Robert, Ferme de la Kelle, Schwerin Monument, Bois de Paris and Plancenoit. Prussian Memorial, last moments of French defence, Chantelet farm, Maison du Roi. Evening in Brussels through the eyes of Mercer. 7th September: Ghent & Louis The aftermath of the battle and the Waterloo despatch. Wellington Museum & Royal Chapel. End with a Waterloo & Mercer Q&A. To Ghent, checking into Mercer's 'Pepper Palace' hotel. We visit Louis XVII's rooms at Hotel d Hane-Steenhuyse, talk of Marshal Massena, taste Chocolate, view the great Cannon, the Castle, where Mercer was careful of Spies, and an illuminated evening tour. 8th September. Farewell Questions & Answers to fill any remaining gaps, shopping, head home. YOUR TOUR FINISHES IN GHENT Your trains and flights to get there and back are not included in our tour, and should be booked to suit your own convenience and preferences. We are happy to help.

Historic Sightseeing including Mercer s experiences at Hotel du Commerce, Bruges Ninove & Grammont Strijtem Chateau Kasteel Gaasbeek Quatre Bras

9 Historic Sightseeing including Mercer s experiences at Hotel du Commerce, Bruges Ninove & Grammont Strijtem Chateau Kasteel Gaasbeek Quatre Bras firing positions Uxbridge s one-way lane Firing position at Genappe Mont St Jean, Waterloo flank position and Mercer s Ridge Pepper Street Palace, Ghent

10 Your Journey Rewards for Early-Birds, Loyalty Discounts, Families & Groups All-Inclusive* Tour Price 3,295 per person sharing a double / twin room Single occupancy supplement 495 Early-Bird discounts of 300 per person are available to the very earliest bookers. If you ve missed the Early-Bird offer, you can still secure the 300 per person discount by booking two or more of our 2018 tours, or by booking as a family or group of 4 or more on this tour. We also offer discounts of 150 per person for a family or group of 3. The highest discount only applies. We ll automatically apply the highest discount that you qualify for to your booking.

A few of our other treats Cultural as much as Historical Grenadier Guards The First Regiment of Guards was founded by Charles II in Bruges in 1656 at what is now the Crossbow Guild.

11 A few of our other treats Cultural as much as Historical Grenadier Guards The First Regiment of Guards was founded by Charles II in Bruges in 1656 at what is now the Crossbow Guild. A very special tour of hallowed halls. Kasteel Gaasbeek Jewel in the Crown of Belgian Heritage, and in 1815 home to a fabulously wealthy Marquis who indulged in all things Turkish! Brussels by Night Where was Wellington, de Lancey, the Prince of Orange, the Belgian King? Where did the army march from? The Grand Place and much more. Napoleon s Scent We try three of his extraordinary parfums, and for the ladies Josephine s and Marie Antoinette s favourite.

Fitness Guide Reasonable Belgium is often mistakenly thought to be flat like Holland, but in fact the Belgian countryside is far more variable with some modestly challenging hills.

12 Fitness Guide Reasonable Belgium is often mistakenly thought to be flat like Holland, but in fact the Belgian countryside is far more variable with some modestly challenging hills. Some days we will walking along a variety of paths and dirt tracks which can vary from dust to slippy puddles depending on the weather, so sensible walking shoes or boots (preferably waterproof) are thoroughly recommended. At other times, when touring museums, city streets and ancient buildings, cobbled or uneven surfaces are the norm and sensible shoes are again recommended. Expect to walk reasonable distances of up to a couple of miles during a day. Heels are rarely appropriate even in cities due to the cobbles.

13 Please book online, contact us through the website or call us on +44 (0) We look forward to welcoming our Guests on Tour Campaigns & Culture Ltd 2017/8

Waterloo 203rd Anniversary. A comprehensive view of the June 1815 battlefields

Waterloo 203rd Anniversary. A comprehensive view of the June 1815 battlefields Waterloo 203rd Anniversary A comprehensive view of the June 1815 battlefields Nothing except a battle lost can be half as melancholy as a battle won Quatre Bras, Ligny, Genappe, Bierges & Waterloo The