This website presents our knowledge and research on this important aspect of the Royal Collection. As of April 2026 it will not be regularly updated and new research on this topic will sit within the main website.

Record of historical events

Victoria and Albert collected photographs that documented the political and military events that defined a period of global expansion

ROGER FENTON (1819-69)

Guards Hill Church Parade Balaklava in the distance

1855

Salted paper print | 26.1 x 35.3 cm (image) | RCIN 2500530

Photograph of Bell tents in the foreground with soldiers forming the Church Parade within a square formation on the right. In the centre background is Balaklava harbour with ships docked. While staying at Osborne in 1855, Queen Victoria noted in her Journal for 8 August that she and Prince Albert had 'looked at some most interesting photos, taken by Mr. Fenton, in the Crimea - portraits and views, extremely well done.' The Prince of Wales, in his diary, also refers to having seen an exhibition of Fenton's Crimean photographs in Pall Mall on 21 February 1856 and again on 28 June.
  • Creator(s)

    Roger Fenton (1819-69) (photographer)

  • 26.1 x 35.3 cm (image)

    57.3 x 44.6 cm (page dimensions)

  • Acquired by Queen Victoria

  • Subject(s)
    • Science, Medicine and Technology
      • Agriculture and related techniques
        • Animal husbandry
          • Horses
      • Industries, Crafts and Trades
        • Travel Goods
          • Tents
      • Engineering & Technology
        • Waterway engineering
          • Harbours
        • Vessels (marine)
          • Ships
    • Places
      • Europe
        • Ukraine
          • Crimea
            • Sevastopol [Crimea]
              • Balaklava [Sevastopol]
    • Geography
      • Physiography
        • Hills
    • Social sciences
      • Military affairs
        • Wars, Campaigns & Battles
          • Wars
            • Wars of the nineteenth century
              • Crimean War (1853-1856)
    Object type(s)
      • visual works
        • photographs