Waterloo : July 2023

This is a bold, painstakingly researched and wide-ranging assessment of the British Cheer in the Napoleonic era. Reference to the Cheer in accounts of the time is virtually ubiquitous and repeatedly the claim was made for cheering as an integral part of British offensive operations. However, more recent historians have tended to overlook this evidence.

Based upon a vast range of contemporary sources, this book suggests that the Cheer wielded genuine power as a true 'weapon of war'. This book first surveys the history of acclamations in battle worldwide and British battle-cries from all periods, before addressing the question of what the British Cheer actually sounded like. Issues of acoustics, physics and the psychology of battlefield morale are considered, along with commentaries from significant military scholars throughout history. Examination of the Napoleonic-era Cheer then reveals the practically invincible 'recipe' of volley-cheer-charge that propelled the British Army to victory upon victory. Comparison is drawn with French and other national patterns of vocalizing, along with analysis of those occasions when the Cheer might be suppressed. Finally, the attitude of the Duke of Wellington towards cheering is reconsidered, with surprising results.

This study encompasses a vast canvas of place and time in pursuit of the elusive yet galvanizing Cheer: from the Mahratta wars in India, through campaigns in Egypt, the Mediterranean, Flanders, the Caribbean and South America, as well as the war of 1812. The Peninsular and Waterloo campaigns feature prominently as the Cheer is heard thrillingly from Vimeiro to Talavera, Salamanca to Vitoria, Orthez to Toulouse and the shocking siege of Badajoz to the charge of the Scots Greys on the ridge of Mont Saint Jean. Anyone interested in the wars of Revolutionary France and Napoleon, the British army, the career of the Duke of Wellington, or indeed the wider questions of the psychological motivations of combat will find this book illuminating and thought-provoking

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Enthusiasts of a hobby called “Living History” have donned period costumes to act out iconic battles in Flanders for the World War I centenary, as well as major clashes between German and Allied Forces for the 70th anniversary of World War II. Now comes another big commemoration: The bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, which spelled the downfall of Napoleon.

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line march in formation at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line march in formation at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line listen to instruction at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. As preparation for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015 members of the group will practice their battlefield tactics as well as learn various historical aspects of the battle. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors, dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line, listen to instruction at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. Members of the Battle of Waterloo living history group spend more than 1500 euros each on replica uniforms, ordering their cloth from a source in the United Kingdom and hiring local seamstresses to follow a period pattern. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, an historical re-enactor, dressed as a soldier of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line, listens to instruction at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. Members of the Battle of Waterloo living history group spend more than 1500 euros each on replica uniforms, ordering their cloth from a source in the United Kingdom and hiring local seamstresses to follow a period pattern. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, two women, dressed in Napoleonic era dress, cook a lunchtime soup for re-enactors of the 7th Battalion of the Line at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, an historical re-enactor dressed as a Lieutenant of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line gives instruction on how to recognize officer insignia at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. As preparation for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015 members of the group will practice their battlefield tactics as well as learn various historical aspects of the battle. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line listen to instruction near their tents at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. As preparation for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015 members of the group will practice their battlefield tactics as well as learn various historical aspects of the battle.(AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line listen to instruction at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. As preparation for the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015 members of the group are practicing their battlefield tactics and learning various historical aspects of the battle. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line line up for inspection next to their tents at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, an historical re-enactor dressed as a soldier of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line plays the flute at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 9, 2015, photo, a replica uniform and cap of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line are laid out on a straw mattress inside a tent at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this June 20, 2010 file photo, re-enactors participate in a mock battle in front of the Lion’s Mound during a living history event of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo in Waterloo, Belgium. More than 5,000 Napoleonic era re-enactors will participate in the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which takes place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

: In this June 20, 2010, file photo, re-enactors march through a field during a living history event of the 1815 Battle of Waterloo in Waterloo, Belgium. More than 5,000 Napoleonic era re-enactors will participate in the upcoming 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which takes place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo, File)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, the youngest member of a re-enactor group of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line, Luca Scalzotto, 19, fires his weapon during a drill at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line fire their weapons during a drill at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line fire their weapons during a drill at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line face off against each other in a mock battle at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line face off against each other in a mock battle at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line face off against each other in a mock battle at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line prepare to face off against each other in a mock battle at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line face off against each other in a mock battle at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

: In this May 10, 2015, photo, historical re-enactors dressed as soldiers of the Belgian-Dutch 7th Battalion of the Line are commanded by a cavalry officer as they march in formation at a Napoleonic era living history camp in Elewijt, Belgium. The Belgian-Dutch living history group is coordinating their group for participation in the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo which will take place in June 2015. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)