The village and the heights of Tongrene were the location for the left wing of Blücher's Prussian Army during the Battle of Ligny, on 16 June 1815. While the Prussians had held Tongrene, their main force was defeated at Ligny (Napoleon's last ever victory), while the forces of Wellington and Marshal Ney were engaging each other at the Battle of Quatre Bras. Because of the defeat at Ligny, the Prussians were forced to give up Tongrene during the night of the 16/17 June. Two days later, the combined forces of both opponents met at the Battle of Waterloo.