Waterloo

I have ridden through France and Belgium many times and I always try to go past the Waterloo momorial. I have even been to the top of it and looked across the flat land where according to History records the battle was won due to a shower of rain however that needs to be qualified. What did catch my eye was a notation on a wall in the Pub where I was about to done. The Pub being called the Marquis of Anglesey. Now according to legend the then King George the Third have this land as a reward to Henry Paget and gave him the title of the Marquis. How nice ! What was a far better story was at the end of the battle a cannon shot took off Mr Pages leg who then remarked to Wellington By God I've lost my leg and Wellington in an act of unbridled compassion responded " By God Sir, so you have". Now that is a pretty profound historical moment but he must have been a tough old Paget, two wives and 14 children he would have needed a pub to care for that lot.