Waterloomedaille

The Waterloo Medal was a decoration of the Duchy of Brunswick.

The Duchy of Brunswick took part in the German War of Liberation under the leadership of Duke Frederick William of Brunswick (1771–1815). With Russian assistance, the German states drove out the hated French occupiers in 1813. The Brunswickers later also took part in the Battle of Quatre Bras and the Battle of Waterloo. A bronze medal was struck for the veterans.

The Duke was nicknamed the “Black Duke” after the black uniforms of the Brunswick Infantry Regiment No. 92 and Hussar Regiment No. 17. These troops had earlier fought under Wellington in Portugal and Spain. On 18 June 1815 the cavalry fought at Quatre Bras, where the Duke fell at the head of his hussars. On 16 June 1815 the survivors fought at Waterloo. The medals often bear traces of gilding; they are 1½ inches in diameter and, at 3/8 inch thick, quite heavy. The obverse bears the inscription “Herzog Friedrich Wilhelm.” The reverse bears “Quatre Bras” and “Waterloo,” with the year 1815 within a laurel wreath. The medal’s suspension was constructed in the Baden style, with a heavy metal buckle through which the ribbon was threaded.