Soignes Foret Picture: myfrenchforest |
This is the Soignes Foret an impressive range of over 5,000 hectares, located six miles of Waterloo in Belgium where you famous over 200 years, would become over time players in one of the most amusing anecdotes which history has been able to give.
In June 1815 during the Battle of Waterloo the Duke of Wellington had to travel every day some roads running through a lush forest to reach the battlefield. The Duke was impressed by the fabulous you and to commemorate his victory, control plant a beech, "the beeches of Waterloo" at his home in Stratfield Saye between Hampshire and Berkshire , home to Wellington from 1817.
Stratfield Saye Image: Wikipedia |
Beech trees are slow growing but with a very high longevity, more than 300 years and A few years later, the most famous botanist in England John Claudius Loudon to know of its existence, became interested in them. Long time did not coincide with the Duke and I send the following letter:
"My Lord Duke: It Would Extremely gratify me if Would you permit me to visit Strathfieldsaye, At Any time convenient to your Grace, and to inspect the Waterloo Beeches. Your Grace's Faithful Servant, JC Loudon "
" My lord duke, would be extremely rewarding if you allow me Strathfielsay visit at any time that suits you, and inspect the beeches of Waterloo. His grateful faithful servant, JC Loudon "
The Duke received the letter when he was sitting in the House of Lords, read the letter twice, it seems the writing of JC Loundon as the majority of doctors , left much to be desired, and perplexed by the letter but with his usual responded quickly and courteously with the following letter to the Bishop of London:
"My dear Bishop of London, It will always give me great pleasure to see you at Strathfieldsaye. Pray come There Whenever it suits your convenience, whether I am at home or not. My servant will Receive orders to show you so Many pairs of breeches of mine as you wish, BUT why Should you wish to inspect Those That I Wore at the battle of Waterloo is removed Beyond the comprehension of MOST Yours truly, Wellington. "
"My dear Bishop of London is always a pleasure to see in Strathfieldsay. To pray there every time to suit your convenience, whether or not home. My servant will receive orders to show you as many pairs of my panties as you want, but you want to inspect the ones I wore at the Battle of Watarlooo goes beyond my understanding, in all honesty, Wellington. "
still without leaving his astonishment the letter from the Bishop of London the Archbishop of Caterbury taught discreetly and to other bishops, assuring the Bishop of London two years ago that he had not written a letter to Wellington, arriving all the regrettable conclusion that the great national hero, the Duke of Wellington had lost his mind.
On the other hand, the Duke also had his doubts about the wisdom of the bishop, and conducted their investigations discreetly. Finally, everything would be cleared, and continue the good relationship between Wellington and Blomfield Bishop of London. The bad writing of Loudon, Wellington confused, and they were pants "breeches" were you "Beech" and the signature was not "CJ London" but "JC Loudon," but without this confusion would have deprived us all of this fun story of Wellington.
met her story here and here and in book Words on Wellington the duke - Waterloo - the ball published in 1900 in London.
photo header: Foret de Soignes myfrenchforest
photo header: Foret de Soignes myfrenchforest
The Duke of Wellington 1812 portrait of Goya |