Joyeaux Noel!

Bicennential of the battle of Somosierra

Ben Weider - 1/2/1924-17/ 10/2008 - in memoriam

"We should endeavour to do something, so that we may say that we have
not lived in vain, that we may leave some imprints on the sands of
time…"
Napoleon Bonaparte

On Friday the 17th of October 2008, the sports' World lost a pioneer, the Emperor Napoleon lost one of his most ardent and respectable defenders and many are those across the globe who lost that particular sad day a true friend. A man, a wonderful husband and father, a convinced and dedicated person who was passionate about his activities, who knew the value of hard working and had the Faith to persist in his dreams and finally making them reality. A consolation for those who lost their Faith and their belief in a better future, a man with a vision for the times to come, a vision of believing in one's abilities and never give up, never gip up the search for the truth. That's Ben Weider.

Waterloo 2008

Marcin Piontek
Translated by Bartek Przybylski

At 20th-22nd of June at Waterloo had place 10th „jubilee” napoleonic bivouac and battle reconstruction. The bigest serial reenactment event of napoleonic period was participated in three separate camps: French- at Napoleon's last quarters in Vieux-Genappe and nearby farm and at Hougoumont farm – allied forces.Saturday was full of training, at the evening was a battlle at Plancenoit. Next day was a day of battle at Hougoumont.

History of the Voluntarios de Madrid

During the re-enactment of the bicennential of the battle of Somosierra I Régiment de cheveau-légers (Polonais) de la Garde Impériale attacked the Voluntarios de Madrid. Please find a video history of this distinguished unit.

Ermita del Puerto de Somosierra

Mrs. Dorota Janiszewska, from Department of Polish Cultural Heritage Abroad of Ministry of Polish Cultur and National Heritage annouced:

On request from rector Mr. Jose Medina Pintado, an maker and guardian of a exposition devoted to Spanish and Polish heroes battleof Somosierra pass (which is held in old inn building from XVIII century), Department of Polish Cultural Heritage Abroad comissioned Ewelina and Robert Kędzielewski to make a special stained glass. In June 2008 the Kędzielewskis had delivered to Somosierra ready to place a stained glass together with steel frame and they installed in the window of Chapel-Hermitage at Somosierra Pass.
Under stained glass is brass plaque in Spanish and Polish were is wrote: WITRAŻ WYKONANY STARANIEM MINISTERSTWA KULTURY I DZIEDZICTWA NARODOWEGO RZECZYPOSPOLITEJ POLSKIEJ ORAZ AMBASADY POLSKIEJ W MADRYCIE. A.D. 2008 / ESTA VIDRIERA HA SIDO DONADA POR EL MINISTERIO DE CULTURA Y PATRIMONIO NACIONAL DE LA REPÚBLICA DE POLONIA Y LA EMBAJADA DE POLONIA EN MADRID A.D. 2008. („This stained glass was made thanks to effoerts of Ministry of Polish Cultur and National Heritage Republic of Poland and Polish Ambassy in Madrid A.D. 2008.”)
Project, execution and transport of stained glass was to fund from recourses of Ministry of Polish Cultur and National Heritage with cooperations of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Polish Ambassy in Madrid.

The 1st Regiment of Polish Guard Lancers Re-enactment Group

George Lubomski

In 1993 an idea was envisaged to re-create a historical unit of Polish cavalry set in one of the most colourful periods of military history.. .the Napoleonic Wars.
The unit chosen was that of the lst Polish Lancers of Napoleon's Imperial Guard on the grounds that to many historians ,model makers and war gamers this regiment was perhaps the best known of many Polish units of that time that served the Emperor Napoleon and was privileged to serve as the bodyguard to this most famous of men during the turbulent times that re-shaped Poland and Europe.

3rd of May Parade in eyes of greenhorn

Bartek Przybylski
In year 1791, 3rd of May polish Parliament create a constitutional act to heal our's country tragic state. To commemorate this special event in history of Poland (polish constitution was first in Europe and second in the world, just after American constitution) every year at Unknown Soldier's monument in Warsaw's centre is held official parade.
As long as I remember i was always watching this event, timidly dreaming about being a member of such ceremony one day in the future.
After quite few years my dreams come true and it finally happened that year.
Everything started at 3rd of May early morning when i arrived to Warsaw to meet in hotel Mr. Lubomski a commanding officer of 1st Polish Guard Lancers Regiment re-enactment group from Great Britain.

Eylau 1807 / 2007

Marcin Piontek

Although it is difficult, to put all my impressions in words I shall try to describe at least a handful. My first impression is that any obstacles were, at least in my case, fully compensated by the aura of winter and simply picturesque view of squads marching in the snow. If one adds to this Ukrainian song of the Vistula Legion, the sound of drum-beats, horse snorting, at one stroke daily ordinariness is turned into a kind of unreal experience.

Będomin

Karol Tomczyk

Będomin, Saturday 26th of August, 5.20 pm. Small village not far away from Kościerzyna.
Guns fell silent, French commander exchange handshake with Russian commanding officer, the “war” is over. Opposite units form a line at front of public and like actors on scene, at a hand length from cheering public.

Siege of Klodzko

There was a reconstruction of the battle for Kłodzko (1807) at the last weekend of August. Our associated unit of Legion Polacco-Italienne participated together with our collegaues from Pierwszy Pułk Strzelców Konnych from Sobótka, 4th comp. 2nd bat. 2nd Infantry Regiment of Duchy of Warsaw, together with the field hospital and fleets of Duchy of Warsaw. There were also other groups reconstructing Prussian units from the period. As ever elegantly women looked presentable. See also the photographs in the digital gallery.

Vocabulary: firearms

As the time goes by, several words go missing. Therefore I've decided to present a reenactor's vocabulary, beginning with a description of a lock of a French 1777 Model Infantry Musket - An IX Version. See: VADEMECUM.

The Assassination of Napoleon

By Ben Weider, CM, PhD

THE TRUTH GOES THROUGH THREE STAGES:
First, it is ridiculed;
Second, it is violently attacked;
Finally, it is accepted as self-evident.

THE PURSUIT OF FACTUAL DETAIL IS THE RELIGION OF PERFECTION
Over 10 years ago, I wrote a book which explains the years of research that Sten Forshufvud, my colleague and friend from Sweden, and I did in order to prove without any doubt whatsoever that Napoleon was poisoned during his exile on St. Helena. The book, entitled "The Murder of Napoleon," was published in 28 languages and has sold over a million copies.

Presentation of Eagles, Paris December 3rd-5th 2004

At the Dome of Les Invalides in Paris on The 200th anniversary of the presentation of Imperial Eagles

Introduction

The 5th Decenber 2004 was The 200th anniversary of the presentation of Imperial Eagles to the French army on the occasion of the declaration of the French Empire and the coronation of Napoléon I, The Eagles were to symbolize the beginning of an era in the French army.

2008: the charge at Somosierra

In 2008 I Régiment de chevau-légers (polonais) de la Garde Impériale from UK will be in Spain to commemorate 200 anniversary and to recreate the actual charge on the actual site at Somosierra, with the help of the Spanish group in the area providing the guns. Due to the nature of the event early planning is necessary. The group plans to field as many riders as possible and is looking for a TV coverage both in the UK and Poland. Early stages of training will be starting in Jan 2007. Persons wishing to participate may contact either the Polish Light Horse Display Team directly, or our Colleague Bartek Przybylski via CONTACT or FORUM at this website.

Reenactment in UK: I Régiment de chevau-légers (polonais) de la Garde Impériale

Bartek Przybylski
In 1993 in Great Britain a group of enthusiasts decided to convene a reconstruction group of 1st Regiment of the Light Cavalry Guard. One of the founders of the group is Jerzy Lubomoski, a Pole born in England. The founders were driven by the wish to promote the activities of this undoubtedly best known , and most recognizable Polish squad of the Napoleonic period in the British Isles.

Memorial of general Rheinwald

There is one of the most valuable memorial plates of the napoleonic period in Poland on the external wall of the fort Stern in Głogów. Unfortunately it has been both forgotten and destroyed. Unless preservation starts promptly the sandstone monument will fall into destruction.
Click "czytaj więcej" to read more.