Wednesday 21 October 2015

Trafalgar - 21st October 1805

110 years ago today, the Battle of Trafalgar took place. If your anything like me, then you'll be wanting to refresh your memory on all things Trafalgar.


What was it?

Basically a big naval battle between ships off the cost of Spain, between the British forces led by Lord Nelson, and Napoleon's French and Spanish forces.

Which one was Lord Nelson again?

Admiral Lord Nelson sailed on HMS Victory, he was shot during the battle, and famously said 'Kiss me, Hardy,' as he lay dying on Victory's decks, aged 47. His first name was Horatio, which for some reason I find amusing.

Napoleon... was he the short guy?

We Brits are excellent at propaganda - and delighted at portraying Napoleon as titchy. Napoleon was about 5ft 6, not tall by any means, but not especially short either - particularly in the time period, when this would've been about average. It helped that many of the British commanders and officers were notably tall.

Why were they fighting?

Well, basically, Napoleon kept adding countries and territories in Europe to his Empire. Those countries usually already had some form of governance - and weren't so happy about being annexed. The British Empire wasn't so happy about having a powerful rival.

Who won?

Well, the Brits won the Battle of Trafalgar - but the Napoleonic Wars continued until 1815 and the decisive British victory of Waterloo.

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