The Battle of Quatre Bras, 1815

Mixed method engraving by F Stacpoole, 1815, after Elizabeth Southerden Thompson (later Lady Butler), published by the Fine Art Society, 1 July 1879.

Soldiers of the 28th (The North Gloucestershire) Regiment of Foot at the corner of an infantry square repelling French cavalry during the Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815.

Quatre Bras saw the Duke of Wellington's Allied army beat off a French attack on the crossroads there. However, the French prevented them from coming to the aid of the Prussians at the Battle of Ligny, which was fought on the same day. The Prussian defeat meant Wellington had to retreat or risk being outflanked and overwhelmed. Pursued by Napoleon's main force, Wellington fell back towards the village of Waterloo, where he decided to stand and fight.