Marcus Cribb
@mcribbhistory.bsky.social
Battlefield Guide
Keeper of Sharpe's Sword
Founding trustee of the NRWGC
Heritage Manager.
Duke of Wellington & the Peninsular War.
Part Time Soldier.
All views my own.
Keeper of Sharpe's Sword
Founding trustee of the NRWGC
Heritage Manager.
Duke of Wellington & the Peninsular War.
Part Time Soldier.
All views my own.
#OnThisDay 18 November 1852 the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.
Organised by Prince Albert it was one of the largest funerals ever seen, with a 10,000 strong procession from Horse Guards to St Paul's Cathedral via Apsley House through London.
A national outpouring of grief.
Organised by Prince Albert it was one of the largest funerals ever seen, with a 10,000 strong procession from Horse Guards to St Paul's Cathedral via Apsley House through London.
A national outpouring of grief.
November 18, 2025 at 7:53 AM
#OnThisDay 18 November 1852 the funeral of the Duke of Wellington.
Organised by Prince Albert it was one of the largest funerals ever seen, with a 10,000 strong procession from Horse Guards to St Paul's Cathedral via Apsley House through London.
A national outpouring of grief.
Organised by Prince Albert it was one of the largest funerals ever seen, with a 10,000 strong procession from Horse Guards to St Paul's Cathedral via Apsley House through London.
A national outpouring of grief.
Not so, for example, there was General Antoine Drouot, a handful of British officers and a battalion of Imperial Guard, who had acted as marines at Trafalgar & fought at Waterloo.
October 21, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Not so, for example, there was General Antoine Drouot, a handful of British officers and a battalion of Imperial Guard, who had acted as marines at Trafalgar & fought at Waterloo.
Born #OnThisDay 19 October 1748, in Perthshire, Thomas Graham, later Lord Lynedoch.
Growing up in Scotland, he attended Oxford University & spent years living in Europe too, before returning to Scotland.
He would go on to be one of Wellington's right hand Generals
Growing up in Scotland, he attended Oxford University & spent years living in Europe too, before returning to Scotland.
He would go on to be one of Wellington's right hand Generals
October 19, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Born #OnThisDay 19 October 1748, in Perthshire, Thomas Graham, later Lord Lynedoch.
Growing up in Scotland, he attended Oxford University & spent years living in Europe too, before returning to Scotland.
He would go on to be one of Wellington's right hand Generals
Growing up in Scotland, he attended Oxford University & spent years living in Europe too, before returning to Scotland.
He would go on to be one of Wellington's right hand Generals
Fought #OnThisDay 13-14 October 1810, the Battle of Sobral.
Under Masséna, encountering the Lines of Torres Vedras, Junot's force probed forwards, they pushed back skirmish lines & seized an outpost, but were quickly ejected from the position by a British counterattack.
Under Masséna, encountering the Lines of Torres Vedras, Junot's force probed forwards, they pushed back skirmish lines & seized an outpost, but were quickly ejected from the position by a British counterattack.
October 14, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Fought #OnThisDay 13-14 October 1810, the Battle of Sobral.
Under Masséna, encountering the Lines of Torres Vedras, Junot's force probed forwards, they pushed back skirmish lines & seized an outpost, but were quickly ejected from the position by a British counterattack.
Under Masséna, encountering the Lines of Torres Vedras, Junot's force probed forwards, they pushed back skirmish lines & seized an outpost, but were quickly ejected from the position by a British counterattack.
Fought #OnThisDay 23 Sept 1803 The Battle of Assaye.
Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann
Asked what his greatest vistory was Wellington replied ASSAYE.
Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann
Asked what his greatest vistory was Wellington replied ASSAYE.
September 23, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Fought #OnThisDay 23 Sept 1803 The Battle of Assaye.
Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann
Asked what his greatest vistory was Wellington replied ASSAYE.
Wellesley commanded 6,500 Indian & British troops against 40,000-200,000 Mahratta troops led by Hanovarian mercenary Colonel Pohlmann
Asked what his greatest vistory was Wellington replied ASSAYE.
Sadly #OnThisDay 14 September 1852, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington passed away at Walmer Castle, he was 83 years old.
He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated.
He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.
He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated.
He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.
September 14, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Sadly #OnThisDay 14 September 1852, Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington passed away at Walmer Castle, he was 83 years old.
He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated.
He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.
He had likely suffered a series of strokes overnight & his condition deteriorated.
He was moved from his bed to a chair where he expired at 3pm.
Home from a wonderful week/weekend with Sophie & Chris aka GreenMatthews they brought together a great group for their concert, and I guided them through the 100 Days then over the Battlefield at Waterloo!
Loved it!
And we're doing it again in 2026
greenmatthews.co.uk
Loved it!
And we're doing it again in 2026
greenmatthews.co.uk
September 7, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Home from a wonderful week/weekend with Sophie & Chris aka GreenMatthews they brought together a great group for their concert, and I guided them through the 100 Days then over the Battlefield at Waterloo!
Loved it!
And we're doing it again in 2026
greenmatthews.co.uk
Loved it!
And we're doing it again in 2026
greenmatthews.co.uk
Perhaps the most interesting part of The Burning of The White House today is three modern unitd claim their predecessors lit the torch:
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).
August 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Perhaps the most interesting part of The Burning of The White House today is three modern unitd claim their predecessors lit the torch:
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).
Royal Marines: 2nd Battalion, Royal Marines
Royal Scots: 21st Regt (Royal North British Fusiliers)
Royal Anglian Regiment: 44th (East Essex).
Part of the Chesapeake campaign of the War of 1812, the burning of Washington/White House followed the Battle of Bladensburg, where a small force of British soliders & Marines under Gen Ross, fought back a much larger American army of regulars & Milita.
August 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
Part of the Chesapeake campaign of the War of 1812, the burning of Washington/White House followed the Battle of Bladensburg, where a small force of British soliders & Marines under Gen Ross, fought back a much larger American army of regulars & Milita.
not so, it was a white mansion from at least the 1800/1801 renovation. The common myth that the building was white washed due to the burning cannot be true as the surviving walls were torn down and the building completely rebuilt. An inage from 1814 showing the already white walls scorched.
August 24, 2025 at 1:01 PM
not so, it was a white mansion from at least the 1800/1801 renovation. The common myth that the building was white washed due to the burning cannot be true as the surviving walls were torn down and the building completely rebuilt. An inage from 1814 showing the already white walls scorched.
#Onthisday 24th August 1814 the burning of The White House.
British troops set The White House ablaze as they sack Washington D.C. largely as retaliation for the Americans burning York, Canada, the year before. The US President, Madison had already abandoned his home.
British troops set The White House ablaze as they sack Washington D.C. largely as retaliation for the Americans burning York, Canada, the year before. The US President, Madison had already abandoned his home.
August 24, 2025 at 8:44 AM
#Onthisday 24th August 1814 the burning of The White House.
British troops set The White House ablaze as they sack Washington D.C. largely as retaliation for the Americans burning York, Canada, the year before. The US President, Madison had already abandoned his home.
British troops set The White House ablaze as they sack Washington D.C. largely as retaliation for the Americans burning York, Canada, the year before. The US President, Madison had already abandoned his home.
Four Company's of Rifleman were engaged by the French, Rifleman Harris was there;
“The first man that was hit was Lt Banbury... I thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on this occasion, and the men on both sides of me, were falling fast"
“The first man that was hit was Lt Banbury... I thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on this occasion, and the men on both sides of me, were falling fast"
August 15, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Four Company's of Rifleman were engaged by the French, Rifleman Harris was there;
“The first man that was hit was Lt Banbury... I thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on this occasion, and the men on both sides of me, were falling fast"
“The first man that was hit was Lt Banbury... I thought I never heard such a tremendous noise as the firing made on this occasion, and the men on both sides of me, were falling fast"
#OnThisDay 15 August 1808 The Combat at Obidos.
As the British advanced from their bridgehead, the French advanced to meet them. A force under Delaborde, clashed with riflemen from the 5/60th & 95th at Obidos, the first combat between France & Britain in the Peninsular War.
As the British advanced from their bridgehead, the French advanced to meet them. A force under Delaborde, clashed with riflemen from the 5/60th & 95th at Obidos, the first combat between France & Britain in the Peninsular War.
August 15, 2025 at 7:34 AM
#OnThisDay 15 August 1808 The Combat at Obidos.
As the British advanced from their bridgehead, the French advanced to meet them. A force under Delaborde, clashed with riflemen from the 5/60th & 95th at Obidos, the first combat between France & Britain in the Peninsular War.
As the British advanced from their bridgehead, the French advanced to meet them. A force under Delaborde, clashed with riflemen from the 5/60th & 95th at Obidos, the first combat between France & Britain in the Peninsular War.
Battle of Majadahonda, 11th August 1812 between Wellington’s advanced guard (especially Portuguese & KGL) & Joseph Buonaparte’s cavalry rear-guard.
A rare tactical draw, the allies lost 3 guns, later recovered, both sides had senior officers casualties & similar casualties.
A rare tactical draw, the allies lost 3 guns, later recovered, both sides had senior officers casualties & similar casualties.
August 11, 2025 at 7:06 AM
Battle of Majadahonda, 11th August 1812 between Wellington’s advanced guard (especially Portuguese & KGL) & Joseph Buonaparte’s cavalry rear-guard.
A rare tactical draw, the allies lost 3 guns, later recovered, both sides had senior officers casualties & similar casualties.
A rare tactical draw, the allies lost 3 guns, later recovered, both sides had senior officers casualties & similar casualties.
Expanding my technology for filming (MarcusCribbHistory on YouTube if you're interested), so this is what is being packed for today's battlefield exploring way up north (no, not Killiekrankie, but after that).
Rusty is taken care of it seems 🐾
Rusty is taken care of it seems 🐾
August 10, 2025 at 10:09 AM
Expanding my technology for filming (MarcusCribbHistory on YouTube if you're interested), so this is what is being packed for today's battlefield exploring way up north (no, not Killiekrankie, but after that).
Rusty is taken care of it seems 🐾
Rusty is taken care of it seems 🐾
The Battle of Fort of Mackinac, 4 August 1814.
A scratch British & Indignious allied force had captured the island early in the war.
As the Americans advanced on the fort from the north, they were ambushed by Native warriors & forced to re-embark with heavy casualties.
A scratch British & Indignious allied force had captured the island early in the war.
As the Americans advanced on the fort from the north, they were ambushed by Native warriors & forced to re-embark with heavy casualties.
August 4, 2025 at 7:33 AM
The Battle of Fort of Mackinac, 4 August 1814.
A scratch British & Indignious allied force had captured the island early in the war.
As the Americans advanced on the fort from the north, they were ambushed by Native warriors & forced to re-embark with heavy casualties.
A scratch British & Indignious allied force had captured the island early in the war.
As the Americans advanced on the fort from the north, they were ambushed by Native warriors & forced to re-embark with heavy casualties.
#OnThisDay 1 August 1808 Sir Arthur Wellesley lands in Portugal, with a 13,000 strong Army.
With cover from the Royal Navy under Admiral Cotton, Wellesley's force landed south of the Mondego River.
He would soon be on the attack at Roliça.
With cover from the Royal Navy under Admiral Cotton, Wellesley's force landed south of the Mondego River.
He would soon be on the attack at Roliça.
August 1, 2025 at 6:20 AM
#OnThisDay 1 August 1808 Sir Arthur Wellesley lands in Portugal, with a 13,000 strong Army.
With cover from the Royal Navy under Admiral Cotton, Wellesley's force landed south of the Mondego River.
He would soon be on the attack at Roliça.
With cover from the Royal Navy under Admiral Cotton, Wellesley's force landed south of the Mondego River.
He would soon be on the attack at Roliça.
Wellesley (soon to be Lord Wellington after Talavera on the 28th) was exposed to many dangers & could have been captured. Gen Hill, also leading in the confusion escaped near capture by fighting off his attackers, French Light Infantry.
Such was the confusion in the dark.
(My photos of the site)
Such was the confusion in the dark.
(My photos of the site)
July 27, 2025 at 8:37 AM
Wellesley (soon to be Lord Wellington after Talavera on the 28th) was exposed to many dangers & could have been captured. Gen Hill, also leading in the confusion escaped near capture by fighting off his attackers, French Light Infantry.
Such was the confusion in the dark.
(My photos of the site)
Such was the confusion in the dark.
(My photos of the site)
Near disaster the French night attack before Talavera, 27 July 1809 #OnThisDay
Surprised, the 87th & 88th Regiments fell back, although the 5/60 stood firm.
Wellesley rode forward, withdrawing the 24th, 31st & 45th Regiments, where they drove back the advancing French columns.
Surprised, the 87th & 88th Regiments fell back, although the 5/60 stood firm.
Wellesley rode forward, withdrawing the 24th, 31st & 45th Regiments, where they drove back the advancing French columns.
July 27, 2025 at 8:31 AM
Near disaster the French night attack before Talavera, 27 July 1809 #OnThisDay
Surprised, the 87th & 88th Regiments fell back, although the 5/60 stood firm.
Wellesley rode forward, withdrawing the 24th, 31st & 45th Regiments, where they drove back the advancing French columns.
Surprised, the 87th & 88th Regiments fell back, although the 5/60 stood firm.
Wellesley rode forward, withdrawing the 24th, 31st & 45th Regiments, where they drove back the advancing French columns.
A little reminder that I'm putting out more & more videos over on YouTube (including some new Guest videos).
I would appreciate a follow on YouTube if you want to see more history/adventures:
Marcus Cribb History
See you there 🎬
youtube.com/@marcuscribb...
I would appreciate a follow on YouTube if you want to see more history/adventures:
Marcus Cribb History
See you there 🎬
youtube.com/@marcuscribb...
July 20, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A little reminder that I'm putting out more & more videos over on YouTube (including some new Guest videos).
I would appreciate a follow on YouTube if you want to see more history/adventures:
Marcus Cribb History
See you there 🎬
youtube.com/@marcuscribb...
I would appreciate a follow on YouTube if you want to see more history/adventures:
Marcus Cribb History
See you there 🎬
youtube.com/@marcuscribb...
I've just returned from two brilliant days guiding Yorkshire Officer Training Regiment & Dutch exchange Cadets.
Aptly we explored Killiekrankie & Dunkeld 1689 (plus some Highland sightseeing).
My first (in hopefully many) British battlefield guiding jobs. And good fun too.
Aptly we explored Killiekrankie & Dunkeld 1689 (plus some Highland sightseeing).
My first (in hopefully many) British battlefield guiding jobs. And good fun too.
July 16, 2025 at 7:36 PM
I've just returned from two brilliant days guiding Yorkshire Officer Training Regiment & Dutch exchange Cadets.
Aptly we explored Killiekrankie & Dunkeld 1689 (plus some Highland sightseeing).
My first (in hopefully many) British battlefield guiding jobs. And good fun too.
Aptly we explored Killiekrankie & Dunkeld 1689 (plus some Highland sightseeing).
My first (in hopefully many) British battlefield guiding jobs. And good fun too.
HMS Bellerophon was commanded by Frederick Lewis Maitland. (relation to the famous Maitland of Waterloo fame), was the son of a distinguished naval officer, in a family of RN & Army officers.
Later he was C-in-C East Indies & China as Rear-Admiral.
He died aboard HMS Wellesley.
Later he was C-in-C East Indies & China as Rear-Admiral.
He died aboard HMS Wellesley.
July 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
HMS Bellerophon was commanded by Frederick Lewis Maitland. (relation to the famous Maitland of Waterloo fame), was the son of a distinguished naval officer, in a family of RN & Army officers.
Later he was C-in-C East Indies & China as Rear-Admiral.
He died aboard HMS Wellesley.
Later he was C-in-C East Indies & China as Rear-Admiral.
He died aboard HMS Wellesley.
You will of course see this painting everywhere today (it is rather famous), by Sir William Quiller Orchardson.
But the Robert Gibb above of Napoleon ARRIVING shows the curiosity people had with the surrendering dictator.
This still exists, it is the core of the debate
But the Robert Gibb above of Napoleon ARRIVING shows the curiosity people had with the surrendering dictator.
This still exists, it is the core of the debate
July 15, 2025 at 6:27 PM
You will of course see this painting everywhere today (it is rather famous), by Sir William Quiller Orchardson.
But the Robert Gibb above of Napoleon ARRIVING shows the curiosity people had with the surrendering dictator.
This still exists, it is the core of the debate
But the Robert Gibb above of Napoleon ARRIVING shows the curiosity people had with the surrendering dictator.
This still exists, it is the core of the debate
#OnThisDay 15 July 1815 7am Napoleon Bonaparte aboard HMS Bellerophon (a 3rd Rate & 74 guns) & surrendered for his 2nd & final time, having fled Paris.
On deck, he announced in French "I am come to throw myself on the protection of your Prince and your laws."
On deck, he announced in French "I am come to throw myself on the protection of your Prince and your laws."
July 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
#OnThisDay 15 July 1815 7am Napoleon Bonaparte aboard HMS Bellerophon (a 3rd Rate & 74 guns) & surrendered for his 2nd & final time, having fled Paris.
On deck, he announced in French "I am come to throw myself on the protection of your Prince and your laws."
On deck, he announced in French "I am come to throw myself on the protection of your Prince and your laws."
An opportunity to find a "lost" castle is too good to miss out on!
One of my former sites we knew there was a castle & rough location, but not the layout, a project idea I had & taken up by enthusiastically by @nts-archaeology.bsky.social
year 1 of many, they found one corner, but which corner?
One of my former sites we knew there was a castle & rough location, but not the layout, a project idea I had & taken up by enthusiastically by @nts-archaeology.bsky.social
year 1 of many, they found one corner, but which corner?
July 13, 2025 at 3:57 PM
An opportunity to find a "lost" castle is too good to miss out on!
One of my former sites we knew there was a castle & rough location, but not the layout, a project idea I had & taken up by enthusiastically by @nts-archaeology.bsky.social
year 1 of many, they found one corner, but which corner?
One of my former sites we knew there was a castle & rough location, but not the layout, a project idea I had & taken up by enthusiastically by @nts-archaeology.bsky.social
year 1 of many, they found one corner, but which corner?