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On June 18, 1815, during the Battle of Waterloo, the Castle-Farm of Hougoumont formed one of the three strongpoints of Wellington’s army on the right flank, along with the Papelotte Farm and the Haie Sainte Farm.
As it exists today, the Hougoumont property and its surroundings have changed considerably since 1815. After the battle, most of the buildings on the Hougoumont property were in ruins or burnt down.
On June 18, the diversionary attack on Hougoumont (intended to induce Wellington to clear the center of his line and reinforce his position there), by Napoleon’s brother Prince Jerome, marked the start of hostilities. No fewer than seven French attacks were launched against Hougoumont, the scene of violent clashes throughout the day.
It was a major battleground for British units, whose heroic defense was provided by the Coldstream Guards. Wellington declared: « The success of the battle turned upon the closing of the gates of Hougoumont ». A battalion of the Nassau regiment and two Hanoverian companies were tasked with defending the woods adjacent to the castle. Over 6,000 men, both defenders and attackers, were killed.
The Hougoumont chestnut tree, the only surviving witness to the battle, still stands proudly alongside its two brothers who died a few years ago, looking like skeletons refusing to fall.
