Lord Nelson: A Legendary Admiral
Admiral Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, is one of the most celebrated figures in British naval history. Born on September 29, 1758, in Burnham Thorpe, Norfolk, Nelson joined the Royal Navy at the age of 12. He quickly distinguished himself through his courage, leadership, and tactical brilliance. His career was marked by significant victories during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, which established British naval supremacy.
One of Nelson's most famous victories was the Battle of the Nile in 1798, where he achieved a decisive victory against the French fleet, crippling Napoleon's ambitions in the Mediterranean. His most celebrated triumph came at the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805, where he led the British fleet to a resounding victory over the combined French and Spanish navies. This battle ensured British control of the seas for over a century. Tragically, Nelson was mortally wounded during the battle, but his strategic ingenuity and fearless leadership left an indelible mark on naval history. Nelson's legacy is commemorated by numerous monuments, including the iconic Nelson's Column in London's Trafalgar Square.
An extremely rare ring that commemorates the naval hero, Horatio Nelson, who died in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, fighting against the Napoleonic forces. Dr William Nelson, the admiral's brother, ordered 58 mourning rings for family and friends and every admiral and post-captain who fought at the Battle of Trafalgar . The ring is inscribed on the bezel ‘Trafalgar’; outside the hoop with Nelson’s motto in Latin, ‘Let him who earned it bear the palm [of victory]’, adopted by Nelson from a poem ‘Ad Ventos’ written in 1727 by John Jortin (1698-1770). Inside is the inscription ‘Lost to his country 21 October 1805, aged 47’. The initials N and B stand for Nelson and Bronte.
Admiral Nelson was given the title of Duke of Bronte in 1799 by the King of Sicily and in 1801 became a Viscount. The two coronets above the initials refer to these titles. Tthe motto Palmam qui meruit ferat ("let him who has earned it, bear the palm") was added to his coat of arms in 1798 after the Battle of the Nile. Nelson was buried with full honours in St Paul's Cathedral. His cortege consisted of 32 admirals, over a hundred captains, and an escort of 10,000 soldiers.
Reference Number: B10760a
HMS Foudroyant: Nelson's Flagship
The HMS Foudroyant, launched in 1798, was an 80-gun third-rate ship of the line in the Royal Navy. Named after the French word for "thunderbolt," the Foudroyant was a formidable vessel, embodying the technological advancements and naval power of Britain at the time. Nelson took command of the Foudroyant in 1799 during the Mediterranean campaign, and it served as his flagship during pivotal operations.
A rare timber hall chair made from the oak salvaged from the Foudroyant, Lord Nelson’s flagship. Its shaped back carved with fouled anchor and banner over inscribed Foudroyant and the date '1798-1897' above, the seat decorated with an anchor and lifebuoy inscribed Nelson's Flag Ship, on turned legs joined by an H-stretcher. With wonderful detail and craftsmanship, this hall chair would make a wonderful conversation piece in any interior.
Reference Number: B10485
Under Nelson's command, the HMS Foudroyant played a significant role in the capture of Naples and the suppression of the Neapolitan Jacobin Republic. The ship also participated in the blockade of Malta and other critical actions in the Mediterranean. After Nelson's death, the Foudroyant continued to serve the Royal Navy in various capacities. It was eventually decommissioned and used as a training ship before being retired and dismantled in 1897.
A 19th Century rare timber corner cabinet, made from the oak salvaged from the Foudroyant, Lord Nelson’s flagship. A lead glazed door with maker's copper plate for 'Goodall, Lamb & Heighway' is framed by a break arch pediment and shaped skirt with single shelf within. With wonderful detail and craftsmanship, this corner cabinet would make a wonderful conversation piece in any interior.
Reference Number: B10506
Both Lord Nelson and the HMS Foudroyant symbolise a period of British naval dominance, reflecting the strategic prowess and enduring legacy of one of history's greatest naval commanders and the ships that served under his command.