Waterloo, 18th of June 1815

The battle took place over a vast area, and lasted for three days (16 to 18 of June 1815).

It is recorded on 18^th of June and bears the name of Waterloo, because Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1^st Duke of Wellington, dated a missive to the English Government from Waterloo where he had his headquarters (now a museum).
In this famous missive, Wellington announced the victory obtained by the Allied Forces : Prussia, Austria, Netherlands, and England.

This monument has been erected in 1823-26, not in Waterloo but in nearby Braine-l'Alleud where the Prince of Orange-Nassau (later King Wilhelm of the Netherlands until his death in 1849) had been wounded.
The artificial mound was built-up basket by basket of earth from the nearby fields. The lion was cast in bronze by the ironworks Cockerill : melted cannons taken from the defeated army, is it said.

All battles mean deaths and ruins.