Admirals as Heroes: Patriotism and Liberty in Hanoverian England

Abstract

In recent years historians have significantly broadened the parameters of popular politics in the eighteenth century to include the ceremonial and associational aspects of political life, what might be aptly described as popular political culture. Whereas the subject of popular politics was conventionally confined to the programmatic campaigns of post-1760 radicals and to the crucial but episodic phenomenon of popular disturbance, historians have become increasingly attentive to the anniversaries, thanksgivings, processions, and parades—to the realm of symbolism and ritual—that were very much a part of Georgian society. This cultural perspective has radically revised our notion of the “popular,” which can no longer be consigned unproblematically to the actions and aspirations of the subaltern classes but to the complex interplay of all groups that had a stake in the extraparliamentary terrain. It has also broadened our notion of the “political” beyond the confines of Parliament, the hustings, and even the press to include the theater of the street and the marketplace with their balladry, pageantry, and iconography, both ribald and solemn.Within this context, the theme of the admiral-as-hero in Georgian society will be explored by focusing on Admiral Edward Vernon, the most popular admiral of the mid-eighteenth century, and Horatio Nelson, whose feats and flamboyance are better known. Of particular interest is the way in which their popularity was ideologically constructed and exploited at home. This might seem an unorthodox position to take. Naval biographers have assumed that the popularity of admirals flowed naturally and spontaneously from their spectacular victories and exemplary feats of valor. This may be taken as a truism. But it does not entirely explain their appeal.

Landscape Parks and the Memorialisation of Empire: The Pierreponts' ‘Naval Seascape’ in Thoresby Park, Nottinghamshire during the French Wars, 1793–1815

“…Pierrepont contributed to this process by capturing the French ship, The Solide, in the Western Approaches off Cape Finisterre in 1756 (Roper, 2001). Despite substantial casualties and the escape of the French grain convoy bound for stricken Paris, the battle was seen as 'a considerable tactical and psychological victory' for the British and loyalist public celebrations abounded (Knight, 2004;Kennedy, 1991: 146: Jordan andRogers, 1989). 19 Securing this major French base was critical to British strategic and commercial operations as it opened the way for the capture of Quebec and Montreal, which gained control of Canada's 'fish, fur and naval supplies' (Kennedy, 1991;Plumb, 1983: 112).…”

“…Partly through his own self-publicity, partly through a shift in the political context, the Nile established Nelson as a national hero in both popular and elite circles (Jordan and Rogers, 1989). Nelson's Seat was the only monument at Thoresby in which Nelson was explicitly invoked.…”

“…Nelson's Seat was the only monument at Thoresby in which Nelson was explicitly invoked. Nelson himself showed vision in anticipating Napoleon's aim to attack Egypt, deploying daring tactics (Coleman, 2001) and cementing his reputation for taking personal risks through the head wound he received (Jordan and Rogers, 1989). Undoubtedly it was a resounding victory in which only two of the thirteen French ships of the line escaped (Kennedy, 1991).…”

“…Undoubtedly it was a resounding victory in which only two of the thirteen French ships of the line escaped (Kennedy, 1991). Although never a political radical or democrat, the way Nelson ran his ships and distributed prize money gained him the respect of ordinary seamen (Jordan and Rogers, 1989) and suggests his support for the reward of merit. The battle was reflected in his title, Baron Nelson of the Nile and of Burnham Thorpe in the county of Norfolk (Coleman, 2001).…”

“…Yet even in 1799 Nelson was a figure of some controversy within the British establishment due to his unconventional military and social style (Jordan and Rogers, 1989;Coleman, 2001). Situated alongside a path, the domed room inside probably served as a resting place or even a tea-room for polite visitors and friends who had walked out from the house.…”