Napoleon’s Horse Became a Star in Britain
Interest began as part of 19th century British fascination with Napoleon
Between coming to power in France in 1799 to Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon Bonaparte waged war against Great Britain. Once defeated, though, he became quite popular in England. Marengo, reportedly Napoleon’s favorite steed, also became a celebrity and remains one to some extent today.
Legend has it the horse was one of many Arabian stallions taken by the French Army after defeating an Ottoman army at Aboukir Bay, near Alexandria, Egypt, in July 1799. Napoleon transported the gray horse, estimated to have been around six years old at the time, back to France and made it part of his personal stable.
Napoleon rode the horse when French forces drove Austria from Italy at the Battle of Marengo in June 1800. The victory sealed Napoleon’s power in France, and “the very word ‘Marengo’ became synonymous with luck,” according to author Jill Hamilton. According to the British National Army Museum, he named the horse after it and rode him in battles from then through the French retreat from Russia in 1812 and at Waterloo in 1815.
Marengo was wounded at Waterloo, captured, and taken to England. He later was displayed at various shows. The handbill for one in 1824 said, “He has five Wounds…
