The Landscapes of Campaign Waterloo

II. The West Country: Binche to Mons and Nivelles

The area to the west of the Charleroi-Brussels road is of interest historically as the region through which the Anglo-Dutch Army marched on its way to Quatre-Bras. Campaign Waterloo opens up other possibilities: French forces advancing northward and westward from Binche can disrupt the Allied concentration, and open up an alternate line of advance to Brussels.

Binche

W1453. Market square and Town Hall, Binche. Hex (150,383) on Campaign Waterloo map.


Walls of Binche

W1487. Medieval town wall of Binche, northwest side. Hex (149,383) on Campaign Waterloo map.


Beffroi, Mons

The highest structure in Mons, the Beffroi (belfry) has stood since 1672. Hex (4,348).


Maison Espagnole

The 16th-Century Maison Espagnole (Spanish House) stands just south of the Beffroi in central Mons.


Sainte-Waudru

The Collegiate Church of Sainte-Waudru in Mons was constructed between 1450 and 1691. Hex (4,346) on Campaign Waterloo map.


North of Saint-Vaast

Looking north from Saint-Vaast, between La Louvière and Strépy, approximately hex (115,319) on Campaign Waterloo map. This region, in the triangle Binche-Mons-Nivelles, experienced significant topographic changes between 1815 and 1950 due to extensive coal mining. Some areas subsided, and huge spoil-heaps (terrils) formed artificial hills as high as 209 meters. Two such elevations, now wooded and natural-looking, appear in this view: Terril St-Emmanuel (136 meters) at left, and Terril St-Patrice (141 meters) in the distance at right.


Le Roeulx

Countryside north of Le Roeulx, looking north. Approximately hex (85,263) on Campaign Waterloo map.


Horses

Belgian horses, north of Le Roeulx. Hex (79,263) on Campaign Waterloo map.


West of Le Roeulx

View westward over farmland north and west of Le Roeulx. Hex (77,261) on Campaign Waterloo map.


Bois de la Houssière

Looking north from hex (128,171) on the Campaign Waterloo map toward the south end of the Bois de la Houssière (mysteriously rechristened "Bois de Cutshall" in the game), southeast of Braine-le-Comte.


Château de la Houssière

Château de la Houssière (or, "Château de Cutshall"), hex (130,130) on the Campaign Waterloo map, by the ominously-named Ruisseau Sans Fond (Bottomless Stream).


North of La Houssière Farm

Looking north from La Houssière Farm, hex (130,130) on the Campaign Waterloo map.


Sennette Valley

Looking east from hex (171,77) on the Campaign Waterloo map, south of Tubize, across the valley of the River Sennette.


Château d'Ittre

The Château d'Ittre, hex (205,97) on the Campaign Waterloo map, south of Braine-le-Château.


Couvent des Recollets, Nivelles

The Recollets Convent, in the center of Nivelles, was founded in 1232, and rebuilt in 1586. Hex (253,154) on the Campaign Waterloo map.



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