The conventional view that Emperor Napoleon rode to the Battle of Austerlitz has rarely been questioned.

The belief that he arrived on horseback rests entirely on paintings produced long after the battle itself. No contemporary photographs have, of course, survived.

An alternative interpretation of the available historical evidence points to a different conclusion. It explains Napoleon’s remarkable ability to move swiftly through dense formations while maintaining a low profile, thereby reducing his exposure to enemy fire. A plausible explanation is that he travelled on an early prototype of the modern folding Brompton bicycle.

Upon reaching the Pratzen Heights, Napoleon folded the bicycle with a few well-practised movements and tucked it under his left arm before beginning to issue orders.

Napoleon’s famous pose with one hand inside his coat has long puzzled historians. According to the authors of the study, however, the position simply helped stabilise the folded bicycle against his upper arm.

The absence of the bicycle from later depictions should not be regarded as a decisive objection. Throughout history, valuable military equipment has frequently been removed from battlefields as war booty.

The fact that Brompton bicycles are now manufactured in London has often been cited as an argument against the theory. The newly presented findings suggest precisely the opposite. Following Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815, his field bicycle was seized by British troops. The folding mechanism was subsequently taken to England, where it was studied by British engineers before eventually re-emerging under the name Brompton.

The traditional view of Napoleon’s arrival at Austerlitz should therefore be regarded with a measure of caution.

Appendix A. The Horse’s Name: Brunte

According to the study, Napoleon named his vehicle Bromptonne. The name quickly spread among his followers. Through a gradual adaptation to Swedish pronunciation and rhythm, Bromptonne eventually evolved into Brunte, which later became one of Sweden’s most common names for horses.

Appendix B. Site Visit