The Second Pie: 1815 – Duke of Wellington’s Victory at the Battle of Waterloo
This pie was very much a celebration as for a long time the country had been living in fear of an occupation by the French. The French defeat at Waterloo drew to a close 23 years of war, beginning with the French Revolutionary wars in 1792, and continuing with the Napoleonic Wars from 1803 – hence it was seen as being a very valid reason to bake another pie.
George Wilby was a Denby Dale villager who fought at Waterloo and returned home from this battle with first hand news of the victory. The presence of a veteran of this battle would have added to the sense of occasion.
The Pie
The pie itself was baked at the Corn Mill at the bottom of Miller Hill. Likely contents are a number of fowls and two sheep.
Pie Day
Rumour has it that George Wilby carved the pie with his sword! This may account for the fact that subsequent pies have made a point of being divided up with specially made cutlery!
George Wilby is said to have built Pogstone House in Cuckstool, which became the site for baking the1846 pie.
