A prisoner of war straw-work ark, late 18th/early 19th century, the lift-off upper section decorated with doors, windows and geometric motifs, the base with a painted pine prow, 55cm wide 38cm high Great Britain was constantly at war with France between 1793 and 1802. The Napoleonic Wars continued until 1815 when Napoleon's forces were finally and famously defeated at Waterloo. In 1796, the first prison to house French prisoners of war was built at Norman Cross, between Cambridge and Peterborough. Conditions were harsh and disease killed more than 1700 between 1797 and 1814. Prisoners were allowed to make ornaments and toys to sell in order to supplement their meagre rations. Many objects, some of extraordinary complexity, were made from materials including straw, bone and human hair. Condition report: Some minor lifting and loss to straw.