Battle of Salamanca - Cultural References

Cultural References

The battle is mentioned in Tolstoy's novel War and Peace, Book 3 Chapter XXVI. Prior to Battle of Borodino, Tolstoy describes Napoleon as receiving a Aide-de-camp, Fabvier, who has just arrived with news of the Battle of Salamanca. "Fabvier told him of the heroism and devotion of his troops fighting at Salamanca, at the other end of Europe, but with one thought - to be worthy of their Emperor - but with one fear - to fail to please him. The result of that battle had been deplorable. Napoleon made ironic remarks during Fabvier's account, as if he had not expected that matters could not go otherwise in his absence".

The battle features in 'Sharpe's Sword' by Bernard Cornwell, in which Richard Sharpe helps Wellington bring the French to battle by feeding a known French spy false information.

Bernard Cornwell also duplicated Wellington's tactics, in this battle, in his re-telling of Arthur's victory at the Battle of Mount Badon, in The Warlord Chronicles.

The battle is described in Suzanna Clarke's Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, during the time that Jonathan Strange is serving under Lord Wellington.

Salamanca Place, in Hobart, Tasmania, commemorates the battle. Mount Wellington is nearby.

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