Battle for custody of Napoleon’s famous horse Marengo’s skeleton intensifies

The battle for custody of Marengo, Napoleon’s famous white horse, is all but lost as management at Britain’s National Army Museum (NAM) have refused to repatriate the skeleton to Cork, despite calls from councillors representing the region. Marengo is believed to have been bred in North Cork and purchased for the emperor at the Cahermee horse fair in Buttevant. However, historians argue he was sold at the fair in Bartlemy, near Fermoy. Despite the pleas from Cork councillors, NAM director Justin Maclejewski has said he will not “decolonize” his museum of artefacts. This story has been widely covered by British media, including the Daily Telegraph, and ignited a virtual war on social media pages. Even if Marengo’s skeleton is repatriated, an argument would likely break out over where it is displayed, as both Buttevant and Bartlemy lay claim. The controversy surrounding Marengo has inspired a song by a singer/songwriter advocating for its return to Bartlemy.