Images Dated 29th July 2005

Scotland for Ever'; the charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo, 18 June 1815

Scotland for Ever'; the charge of the Scots Greys at Waterloo, 18 June 1815. The attack by the Royal Scots Greys cavalry regiment on the French 45th infantry was immortalised in this famous painting of 1881 by Lady Elizabeth Butler (1846-1933). The wife of a general as well as a popular Victorian painter, she persuaded the commander of the regiment to reconstruct the charge so she could make the painting. Some military historians doubt that the action actually took the form of the spectacular headlong charge depicted in the picture. What is known however is that the Scots Greys overpursued the French infantry, became split into disorganised small groups, and suffered heavy casualties at the hands of French cavalry formations before they were able to regain the British lines

© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images

Grand Junction Canal from Stow Hill near Upper Heyford, Northamptonshire, 1819. Artist: John Hassell

Grand Junction Canal from Stow Hill near Upper Heyford, Northamptonshire, 1819. A lime kiln can be seen in the centre of the picture. Lime became important to agriculture, building (urban expansion at this time) and the growing chemical industry. The Grand Junction Canal was part of the network linking London with the Midlands manufacturing towns, and with Liverpool. The canal was built between 1793 and 1805, with William Jessop as its chief engineer, and James Barnes as resident engineer responsible for most of the day to day construction. It was originally planned to build the canal from Braunston to the Thames at Brentford, but in 1794 it was decided to build a branch to Paddington, which was much closer to central London. From Tour of the Grand Junction by J Hassell, 1819

© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images

The Spanish Armada which threatened England in July 1588

The Spanish Armada which threatened England in July 1588. The ships of the Spanish fleet are shown in combat with British vessels. The Armada, a fleet of 130 ships under the command of the Duke of Medina Sidonia was intended to protect an invasion force commanded by the Duke of Parma as it crossed the English Channel. Harrassment from the smaller, more manoeuvrable vessels of the British Navy, the use of fireships and unfavourable weather conditions meant that the Armada could not achieve its objective of guaranteeing Parma's barges safe passage across the Channel. Ultimately the Armada was swept up the North Sea and much of it was destroyed in storms around the coasts of Scotland and Ireland. Painting in the collection of the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, England

© Ann Ronan Picture Library / Heritage-Images