London – Kensington and Chelsea (Borough of) – National Army Museum (Napoleon’s Horse Marengo)

This is Marengo (something like 1793 to 1831), or at least what is left of him, who was Napoleon’s horse which he used in campaigns between 1800 and 1815. When Napoleon was defeated by the Duke of Wellington, the horse was taken to London and he lived here until he died in 1831. It was decided to preserve his bones and he was given to the Royal United Services Institute, which was founded by the Duke of Wellington, also in 1831. The Institute later asked Wellington for the skeleton of his horse, Copenhagen, so they could be displayed together, but this permission was refused.

Now at the National Army Museum, I think the skeleton is clumsily displayed and I wasn’t sure why he wasn’t placed in an area of his own. It transpires that this was what the previous museum authorities thought was a good idea, it’s a recent innovation that he’s been shoved in this cluttered display. He’s missing a couple of hooves, which were taken for souvenirs and are now displayed elsewhere.