Beleven en herinneren op het slagveld van Waterloo. Een adellijk perspectief (1815-1870)

In the aftermath of the Battle of Waterloo, the British nobility expressed a great interest in the battle-field. This study analyses the experiences of these aristocratic visitors as compared to the interpre-tations of other British, Dutch, Prussian and French travellers. Being relatives and acquaintances of famous British officers, the nobility explored the landscape in search of personal glory and comfort. By hearing stories of soldiers and accessing the tangible past they could recall the military vigour of heroes such as the Duke of Wellington. Furthermore, the article provides insight into the aristocratic influence on Waterloo as a lieu de mémoire and tourist attraction in the nineteenth century. The Brit-ish government and some noble families erected various monuments in honour of noble officers. As time passed by, however, visitors not only travelled to Waterloo to remember the nation’s heroes. They were also attracted to the places where famous writers such as Lord Byron and Victor Hugo had gone through special experiences.