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Banner of the French 105th Regiment, c. 1815 (flag, regimental)
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Banner of the French 105th Regiment, c. 1815 (flag, regimental)
5930187 Banner of the French 105th Regiment, c.1815 (flag, regimental) by French School, (19th century); National Army Museum, London; (add.info.: Banner of the French 105th Regiment, 1815 (c).
This is the banner from the standard of a French infantry unit, the 105th Regiment of the Line, which was captured by the British at the Battle of Waterloo (1815). It is embroidered with the name of the regiment and the name of the Emperor Napoleon, and edged with golden fringing. The banner was hung from a pole and topped by an eagle, the symbol of the French Empire and a source of regimental pride.
On the battlefield, the standard served as a rallying point for the troops, and was used by commanders to quickly identify their units in the chaos of combat. It was also a focus of the soldiersA pride: the banner recorded the battle honours of the regiment on the reverse side, and the men were meant to fight to the death rather than allow their standard to be captured.
After Napoleon was proclaimed Emperor in 1804, he needed to choose an emblem to represent the new French Empire. In the past, France had used the royal fleur-de-lis or revolutionary icons like the cap of liberty, but Napoleon wanted to symbolise his rule as being different, a new era for the French state. The eagle was chosen over the cock or the lion. The standards, each topped with a gilded Eagle, were the personal gift of the Emperor to each regiment in his armies.
When Napoleon was sent into exile on Elba in 1814, all the French Eagles were destroyed by the new government. The restored Bourbon monarchy wanted to eliminate any trace of the Napoleonic cult. New Eagles and standards had to be hastily created after NapoleonAs return in early 1815, in the lead-up to the Battle of Waterloo. French defeat at Waterloo meant that these replacements were also destroyed by the twice-restored Bourbons. In some regiments the officers burned the standards, then mixed the ashes with wine and drank them.
This banner survived because it had been captured by the British at Waterloo, and taken back to London as the spoils of war.); eNational Army Museum; French, out of copyright
Media ID 22327398
© National Army Museum / Bridgeman Images
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print showcases the Banner of the French 105th Regiment, dating back to around 1815. This flag, belonging to a French infantry unit, was seized by the British during the historic Battle of Waterloo. Adorned with intricate embroidery displaying both the name of the regiment and that of Emperor Napoleon, this banner is framed with golden fringing. The standard served as a crucial rallying point for troops on the battlefield and allowed commanders to swiftly identify their units amidst chaos. It symbolized immense pride for soldiers who fought under its protection. On its reverse side, it recorded battle honors of the regiment, emphasizing that men were expected to fight until death rather than allow their standard to be captured. Emperor Napoleon selected an eagle as his emblem when he established himself as ruler in 1804. These standards were presented personally by him to each regiment in his armies; each topped with a gilded Eagle representing his reign over France. After Napoleon's exile in 1814, all French Eagles were destroyed by the new government seeking to eradicate any remnants of Napoleonic influence. However, replacements had to be hastily created upon Napoleon's return before facing defeat at Waterloo once again resulting in their destruction by restored Bourbons. Fortunately, this particular banner survived due to its capture by British forces and subsequent transport back to London as war spoils. Today it resides within London's National Army Museum where it stands testament not only to historical events but also serves as a reminder of valor displayed on both sides during one of Europe's most significant battles.
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