Napoleon's shirt worn in exile goes on display
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A shirt worn by Napoleon in exile is on display at a Belgian museum
along with a letter he wrote in English to practice the language
Location: Waterloo, Belgium
CULTURAL MANAGER OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO MEMORIAL AND CO-CURATOR OF ITS NAPOLEON EXHIBITION, ANTOINE CHARPAGNE, SAYING:
"This letter is written in English. It should be noted that Napoleon, before arriving on the island of Saint Helena, could not write or speak in the language of Shakespeare. His secretary, Emmanuel de Las Cases, knew how to speak English as he had already lived in England for a few years, and so he taught him and wrote dictation letters to Napoleon. This is the case of this letter here. Three copies of letters written in English by Napoleon are known today. This is one of the three copies. The fact is that without doubt, in my opinion, this is the object that will fetch the highest price at the auction."
The Battle of Waterloo museum is commemorating the bicentenary of Napoleon's death
with a display of personal items
including a rare narwhal tooth walking stick
and a silk scarf he wore around his head