Waterloo 2015: The role of the Iron Duke will be played by Alan Larsen
Nicknamed “The Iron Duke” by his fellow countrymen, (the origin may lie in the metal shutters that he had installed at the windows of his residence during the demonstrations in London in 1831), the Duke of Wellington will be played by Alan Larsen during the re-enactments to celebrate the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo on 19 and 20 June of this year.
The 54 year old historical events consultant lives in Bolsover, Derbyshire in England. He is passionate about horse riding and a fervent admirer of the Duke, describing him enthusiastically as “the great victor of the Battle of Waterloo, who always did his utmost to protect the lives of his men.” It is said that on the evening of the Battle of Waterloo he lamented: “How could I possibly feel the slightest joy in my victory after such losses?”
In addition to his taste for smart clothes, cravats from the period and thoroughbred horses, Alan Larsen, like Wellington, has an excellent sense of humour and is an accomplished rider.
A little history…
Arthur Wellesley – later the 1st Duke of Wellington – born on 30 April 1769 in the county of Meath, in Ireland, was an Anglo-Irish aristocrat, who became a soldier and British statesman.
On replacing Castlereagh at the Congress of Vienna, Wellington learns that Napoleon has escaped from the Island of Elba and has regained control of France. On 29 March 1815, Wellington leaves Vienna and returns to Brussels on 4 April. He has under his command the Anglo-Hanoverians and the Dutch-Belgian allies. As for Blücher von Wahlstadt, he has command of the Prussian army.
Napoleon spends the night of 15 June in Charleroi. The Duke is taken aback, having thought to block Napoleon at Quatre-Bras, in the commune of Genappe. Wellington rises at 5h30, eats breakfast and gives out his final orders. Then, at 7h00 he mounts his horse, Copenhagen, who has been his stead for many years, and leaves with his general staff in the direction of Quatre-Bras. On 16 June, at about 15h00, the battle begins.
The Prussian army is beaten but not defeated on 17 June, although the losses are heavy. Nevertheless, Wellington can count on the allied reinforcements. The morning of 18 June finds Arthur Wellington shaved, wearing a cravat, gloves, a dark blue coat and buckskin breeches, boots and his bicorn. He knows that he will face the Emperor, but is not perturbed: if he has to die, then he will go to his death in an elegant fashion!
He is, of course, counting on the intervention of the Prussians.
The commander of the Allied forces uses the tactic that he has already put into practice on the Iberian Peninsula: he places a line of infantry on the reverse slope, where they are hidden from enemy view and fire. The time wasted by the Imperial army, along with its poor communication, prevent Napoleon from having the slightest impact against the Allied resistance on the Mont-Saint-Jean plain.
The losses in the British ranks are heavy and things look serious for Wellington. Many of the officers of his general staff are dead or injured. At around 18h00 the village of Plancenoit, in Lasne, falls to the Prussians, but the Northern French troops regain control of the village towards 19h00.
At around 21h15, the Duke of Wellington meets the elderly Marshal Blücher near to the Belle Alliance Inn in Plancenoit. The Marshal rushes towards the Duke, calling out “Mein lieber Kamerad, quelle affaire!”.
The Battle finally ends at 21h30 to the sounds of a British victory. Napoleon knows that the Empire is at stake and is determined to fight on. The French are shaken by the Prussian reinforcements and Wellington sends the Allied army forwards. The French resistance is broken, the Allies have won. Projectiles continue to fall around the Duke, but when it is remarked that he is too exposed, Wellington replies: “What does it matter, the battle is won, my life is no longer important.”
Re-enactments all around the globe
Alan Larsen has considerable experience of historical re-enactments. He has played many roles, including that of William the Conqueror during the re-enactment of the Battle of Hastings (1066) in 2012, where he commanded more than 100 Norman cavalrymen on the original battlefield. He has also taken part in major re-enactments in France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Ukraine, South Africa and the USA.
“I caught the re-enactment bug a long time ago when I was 12. I was passionate about war films, including the film ‘Waterloo’. This love of history has never left me”, says Mr. Larsen.
Alan Larsen puts his heart and soul into his passion and has even been known to suffer physically for it: “In the 35 years that I have been taking part in re-enactments as a rider I have had many falls, I’ve been kicked by hooves, dragged along, scratched, bitten ... but I’ve never been seriously hurt! On the other hand, several years ago I played the role of an infantryman and was hit by a bullet that was fired accidentally. It went straight through my carotid artery! I was extremely lucky to survive.”
Alan Larsen has high expectations of the events being held to commemorate the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo: “Quite apart from the spectacle and the impressive authenticity of these re-enactments, it seems to me that this event represents an excellent opportunity to remember the thousands of men who fell in combat, and the horses that were killed or maimed.”
We look forward to seeing you there Your Grace!
