British Heavy Cavalry

One of the great things about writing historical fiction is that we like to thread and embellish our stories with historical facts to bring a strain of realism -- yes, even in romance! The hero in Wicked Wagers is Benjamin Malory Burton, an ex-cavalry officer from the Heavy Cavalry -- quite different from the better known Light Cavalry.

This is a painting depicting the Royal Scots Greys at Waterloo -- not sure I'd want to see this come charging at me if I was on foot . . . 😓

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Heavy Cavalry were nicknamed the "shock troops," using their height and weight and speed to attack and harass the enemy's infantry. Charges occurred on clear ground with a rise, so they literally appeared to be hurtling down at the infantry soldiers, who were often formed in line, thus being vulnerable to a cavalry charge.

Denis Dighton's painting in the Royal Collection of Sergeant Charles Ewart capturing the Eagle of the 45th Line regiment. It is contemporary to the Waterloo period and is correct in the details of the uniforms and weapons.

Ben entered the cavalry in 1812 and, because of his height, his broad, muscular build and his knowledge and ability with horses, he was an ideal candidate for the Heavy Cavalry. What he experienced and witnessed over the years that he served can only be imagined. Here's a link to a clip on YouTube from the 1970 movie, Waterloo, featuring Rod Steiger as Napoleon and Christopher Plummer as Wellington . This scene captures the fierceness of the charge, the speed and the utter destruction that followed. It leaves you breathless and bewildered . . .

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Claire Hadleigh

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