Revolution

The Battle of Waterloo happened at a time of incredible upheaval. The French Revolution began in 1789, and revolutionary ideas quickly spread across the world. The French ideals of liberty, fraternity, and equality were seen as a terrible threat by the monarchs and aristocrats of Europe. Even French defeat at Waterloo in 1815 did not end the era of revolutions. Radical demands for change continued throughout the 19th century.

Explore the objects and articles below to learn more about the revolutionary era of Waterloo.

  • Peterloo Cartoon,

    Revolution

    Learn about the revolutions that swept Europe in the age of Waterloo by exploring our objects and articles.

  • Marshal Ney's snuffbox

    Marshal Ney’s Snuffbox

    This is the golden snuffbox of Marshal Michel Ney, who was one of the French commanders at the Battle of Waterloo. This snuffbox was presented to Marshal Ney by Napoleon as a mark of affection. It was plundered from Ney’s baggage at the end of the battle, probably by a British soldier. It was later presented to Captain William Cameron of the 1st Regiment of Foot Guards.

  • Model guillotine carved from sheep bones by a French prisoners of war. Copyright Plymouth City Council. Photography Relic Imaging Ltd.

    Model Guillotine

    This model was carved from bone by French prisoners of war, held in Britain during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1793-1815). It was made as a model to be sold in the prison markets.

  • Ney and de la Bédoyère: two victims of the “white terror”

    Read about the shared tragic destiny of Michel Ney and Charles de la Bédoyère

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