Miguel de Alava Poster

Are you a fan of the Peninsular War? This poster design in the style of a magazine cover features Miguel de Alava, the Spanish officer who holds the rare distinction of being present at the Battle of Trafalgar and the Battle of Waterloo.

After beginning his career as a naval officer and fighting with the Franco-Spanish fleet at Trafalgar, Alava later transferred to the Spanish army. In 1808, he supported the national uprising against French rule and joined the Duke of Wellington's staff as military attaché. The two men developed a close friendship.

During the Battle of Salamanca in 1812, Alava was next to Wellington when the British commander saw that a gap had opened in the French line, discarded a chicken leg that he was eating and is supposed to have said, "By God that'll do!" or "Mon cher Alava, Marmont est perdu!"

In 1815, as Spanish ambassador to King Louis XVIII of France, Alava attached himself to Wellington during the Hundred Days. He was at Wellington's side during the Battle of Waterloo but was uninjured.

This design was made by Josh Provan, a history blogger and author who runs the Adventures in Historyland blog. If you like this design, please take a look at our Duke of Wellington poster in a similar style.