How much do you know about the great battle?

By Dr R. E. Foster

1. Where was Napoleon born?

A. France

C. Corsica D. Italy

B. Germany

C

It only became French in 1768; Napoleon was born in 1769!

2. Where was Wellington born?

A. England

C. Wales D. Ireland

B. Scotland

In his will, Wellington forbade his sons to visit Ireland!

D

3. From which island did Napoleon

escape early in 1815?

A. Isle of Elba

C. Isle of Wight D. Isle of St Helena

B. Isle of Capri

A

His enemies wouldn’t repeat the mistake!

4. When was London’s Waterloo

mainline rail station opened?

A. 1838

C. 1858 D. 1868

B. 1848

B

The French didn’t like it when it became the first Eurostar terminus!

5. Who was the Prime Minister at

the time of Waterloo?

A. Lord Derby

C. Lord Ripon D. Lord Liverpool

B. Lord Salisbury

D

His predecessor, Spencer Perceval, was assassinated!

6. How much was Wellington’s

prize money for winning Waterloo?

A. £21,000

C. £61,000 D. £100,000

B. £47,000

C

The nation also bought him an estate for over £250,000!

7. In what year did Abba’s ‘Waterloo’ win the Eurovision song contest?

A. 1973

C. 1975 D. 1976

B. 1974

B

It was held in Brighton. Their conductor dressed as Napoleon!

8. In what year did ‘Waterloo Road’

first get broadcast?

A. 2004

C. 2006 D. 2007

B. 2005

C

Close enough!

9. What sort of tree stood at the centre of Wellington’s line at Waterloo?

A. Oak

C. Beech D. Elm

B. Ash

D

It was later cut down and made into souvenirs!

10. When was the current Waterloo

Bridge in London officially opened?

A . 1946

C. 1915 D. 1950

B. 1865

A

The original, of 1817, was demolished!

11. In what country is Waterloo?

A. London

C. France D. Belgium

B. Holland

D

Name five famous Belgians – excluding Tintin!

12. In what sport was the Waterloo

Cup contested?

A. Hare coursing

C. Cock fighting D. Bull fighting

B. Bear baiting

A

Banned by Tony Blair!

13. Which group had a 1960s

hit with Waterloo Sunset?

A. The Clash

C. The Specials D. The Kinks

B. The Three Degrees

D

Regarded by many critics as the perfect pop song.

14. What did Blucher recommend

to aid his recovery after Ligny?

A. Gin & rhubarb

C. Aspirin D. Whisky & beetroot

B. Rum and coke

A

Worth a try – he made it to Waterloo in the nick of time!

15. What did Fitzroy Somerset

take from his amputated arm?

A. Watch

C. Ring D. A Finger

B. Bracelet

C

He died in the Crimea.

16. What was the prize money for an

ordinary British soldier at Waterloo?

A. £10.56

C. £103.67 D. £1,000

B. £2.52

B

Less than Wellington!

17. Who, in 1816, wrote the Poet’s Pilgrimage to Waterloo?

A. Wordsworth

C. Byron D. Southey

B. Shelley

D

He was Poet Laureate and wrote a famous life of Nelson.

18. During the 1980s, Napoleon’s

HQ, La Belle Alliance, became a…

A. Discotheque

C. Sauna D. Burger bar

B. Pizza parlour

A

Closed on 18 June 1815!

19. Which part of Wellington’s horse,

Copenhagen, was removed by a servant?

A. Tail

C. Teeth D. Hoof

B. Ear

D

The horse was given a full military funeral

20. Which famous French novelist

included Waterloo in Les Miserables?

A. Victor Hugo

C. Emile Zola D. Jean Paul Sartre

B. Honore de Balzac

A

His father was one of Napoleon’s generals.