A New Century

Posted byRebecca BuddPosted inLady Emma Hamilton, Lord Horatio NelsonTags:, ,

“England expects that every man will do his duty.”

Horatio Nelson

The Victory

Sir William was enormously fond of Lord Nelson.  Both men held each other in great esteem, enjoying the camaraderie of close friends.  Lord Nelson, Sir William and Lady Hamilton united in their resolve not to allow Naples to fall into the hands of Napoleon.  They called themselves “Tria juncto in uno.”    Under these perilous circumstances, Lord Nelson could see the strength and courage in Lady Hamilton.  Love between the two was inevitable.

By the end of 1798, the French invasion was imminent.  Lady Hamilton, a close friend and adviser to Queen Maria Carolina, wife of Ferdinand I of Naples, was at the Queen’s side as plans were made to flee. The “Tria juncto in uno,”   along with the royal family and those with means, escaped to Sicily.  Yet, England was beckoning.

Nelson was recalled to Britain and Sir William, whose health was failing, longed for home. The three set out, taking the long route through a Europe grateful for Lord Nelson’s recent victory at the Battle of the Nile.  Britain gave Lord Nelson a hero’s welcome. There was great jubilation.  It was 1800, the dawning of a new century.

Instead of a long life together, Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton were given six years, much of that time spent apart.  They had one daughter, Horatia in 1801.  Sir William passed away in 1803, a heavy blow to both Emma and Lord Nelson.  And then destiny intervened.

On October 21, 1805, Nelson’s fleet gained the victory over a joint Franco-Spanish naval force at the Battle of Trafalgar.

“Now I can do no more.  We must trust to the Great Disposer of all events and the justice of our course.  I thank God for this opportunity of doing my duty.”

Horatio Nelson

Published by Rebecca Budd

Blogger, Visual Storyteller, Podcaster, Traveler and Life-long Learner

16 thoughts on “A New Century”

    1. Oh, it was very scandalous. They lived openly together, which made them the most fascinating household in all of Britain. It was an arrangement that they all were comfortable with. The newspapers reported on every minute detail of Lady Hamilton’s style – everyone wanted to emulate her.

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      2. Very insightful. I was going through quotes by Albert Camus and found this one a couple days ago. Says it all, in so few words. He really was amazing.

        “People hasten to judge in order not to be judged themselves.”
        ― Albert Camus, The Fall

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    1. I would imagine it would – good point. I have read that they were in love with each other and with the fame that surrounded them. It was complex, but then, what love story isn’t!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂

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    1. I remember reading about the Budd family in Kate Williams “England’s Mistress – The Infamous Life of Emma Hamilton. There were two branches of the Budd family as I understand it. Whether this is correct, I cannot say for certain. The English “Budd” came over with the Hanoverians. And some remained in Germany (our side). But, there is a connection and it is something that I want to look into one of these days…if only there were more hours in a day!!!

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  5. A great and unusual love story. One, that I dare say, was most exciting to those very curious on lookers! One comment noted that their being apart so much only made the love stronger. I am reminded of John Adams and his beloved wife. Their absences from those they loved intensifies their contributions to their countries.

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    1. Ah! Another famous love story!!! You have just given me a thought for another series. An extraordinary couple. And one that lived in the same period of Lord Nelson and Lady Hamilton. Thank you so much for your comments!!!

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