Michael Rayner

European Citizen resident in England, UK. Military historian - battlefields, Napoleonic and more. Author of 'English Battlefields' (2025, The History Press)

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@AstorJacob1 Oh merde! Not that he or I expect you said that! Hope it's not too sore.

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@Truluck_Wilts It's certainly iconic, but was Hougoumont really that crucial, despite what Wellington said!? Hopefully your US friend was also told about the Irish, Scottish, Welsh, Nassau and Hanoverians who defended, as well as the English. Of course, plenty of the outbuildings survived.

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@fugitiveink When relatively minor issues when on their own happen at the same time, they always seem worse in total. If the planning issue is something which is yet to be determined, do drop me a message as I could offer some advice (I worked for CPRE Norfolk as their planning consultant.)

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@AstorJacob1 I always take a deep breath before contradicting the Duke, but I don't think he went as far south as Genappe on the 18th, not least as he ended up back at Waterloo.

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@AstorJacob1 and separate from the friendly fire incident in the Papelotte area between Nassau and Prussian troops. That probably hasn't been the subject of a painting!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@AstorJacob1 mis-captioned - this is actually a somewhat fanciful depiction of Prussian and Dutch units meeting at the Maison du Roi, on the Waterloo - Charleroi main road late in the evening of 18th June. A clue is the signpost pointing away from the scene towards Plancenoit.

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@dab_1815 I recognise that shoe!!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@AstorJacob1 @MattTay74784525 sorry to miss having a word with you William - glad you enjoyed the event though!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

Well, this is fun! Presenting as part of Waterloo Day at @Apsley_Welly on the events & terrain of 18th June 1815. A packed programme with all sorts of napoleonic nerdery!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@Stillicho82 @ThatchGer1 @napoleonic_q Acre at a stretch

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@bennymichielsen I am in awe Benny - magnificent!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@Dab1815 looking forward to meeting you tomorrow and talking terrain!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@bennymichielsen @GraemeCallister @mcribbHistory think of it as a horse with wheels!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@GraemeCallister @bennymichielsen @mcribbHistory As a complete wimp I caught the very convenient 365a bus for Waterloo to Quatre Bras - there's even a stop outside Gemioncourt Farm. I must up my game next time!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@mcribbHistory Artists do love a Highland battalion - even if they weren't stationed where the main French heavy cavalry attacks took place!

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@bennymichielsen Bottleneck in Wavre, made worse by a fire and the difficulty of moving Bulow's Corps through it

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@AstorJacob1 The 1/95th in the sandpit were forced back during D'Erlon's attack and were nearly caught by cuirassiers - some formed sq and some ran. They then retook the sandpit until forced out again after the fall of La Haye Sainte around 6pm. Elements of 2/95 & 3/95 were in Adams's Brigade

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@NRWGCharity where they were so important in facing up to D'Erlon's earlier infantry attack. The landscape is surprisingly mountainous as well! Despite this, it provides the drama and spectacle one wants, if not the 100% realisim.

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@NRWGCharity This Philippoteaux painting of the battle is one of the best known, yet has a number of issues. While showing the massed French cavalry charges he couldn't resist having Highlanders forming the most visible face of a square, despite them only being to the east of the x-roads,

[Michael Rayner @BattlesRayner]

@mcribbHistory A fine day for you and it looks dry underfoot!