On the Stone Dam. 'De Stenen Beer', Veere, Walcheren, The Netherlands
In early 1795 the Zeeland island of Walcheren capitulated to Napoleon's forces. Soon the fierce Dutch Republic was transformed into the Batavian Republic under the tutelage of Napoleon. In 1806 He appointed his brother Louis Napoleon (1778-1846) first king of Holland. The English, fearing that Napoleon would attack them from Walcheren, invaded the island in 1809. But they were driven back as thousands of the British troops succumbed to what was called the 'walcherse ziekte', presumably a kind of malaria.
In the aftermath of that failed invasion, the new king decided to strengthen the defenses of the island. To that end he devised intricate defenses at Veere among which this stone dam, called a 'stenen beer' in Dutch (not to be confused, of course, with the animal, 'bear').
Yes, Napoleon was ultimately defeated. The Dutch regained their independence in 1813, first as a sovereign state under sovereign prince William VI (of Orange-Nassau) but soon as a kingdom onder William turned king William I in 1815.
On the Stone Dam. 'De Stenen Beer', Veere, Walcheren, The Netherlands
In early 1795 the Zeeland island of Walcheren capitulated to Napoleon's forces. Soon the fierce Dutch Republic was transformed into the Batavian Republic under the tutelage of Napoleon. In 1806 He appointed his brother Louis Napoleon (1778-1846) first king of Holland. The English, fearing that Napoleon would attack them from Walcheren, invaded the island in 1809. But they were driven back as thousands of the British troops succumbed to what was called the 'walcherse ziekte', presumably a kind of malaria.
In the aftermath of that failed invasion, the new king decided to strengthen the defenses of the island. To that end he devised intricate defenses at Veere among which this stone dam, called a 'stenen beer' in Dutch (not to be confused, of course, with the animal, 'bear').
Yes, Napoleon was ultimately defeated. The Dutch regained their independence in 1813, first as a sovereign state under sovereign prince William VI (of Orange-Nassau) but soon as a kingdom onder William turned king William I in 1815.