When the English stopped Napoleon

On 21 October 1805, off the Iberian peninsula, one of the battles that changed the balance of the world was fought: the battle of Trafalgar.

But what happened at Trafalgar 200 years ago? Yes, it was at the height of the Napoleonic era and England felt the risk of an invasion by French troops ruling over the whole continent.

Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had decided to attack Great Britain, which had remained the last great enemy.

The task of defending the island rested entirely on the shoulders of the navy, commanded by the valiant Admiral Lord Horatio Nelson.

To defeat the very strong English fleet, Napoleon had given orders to Admiral Pierre Vìlleneuve to reach America, to reunite with the rest of the French-Spanish fleet (at that time also Spain had fallen under French rule) and to attack the English counting on an overwhelming numerical superiority.

But when Villeneuve tried to cross the Atlantic, Nelson forced him to take refuge in the port of Cadiz, keeping him practically in check. Intolerant of this humiliation Napoleon ordered his admiral to force the English blockade. The clash took place in Trafalgar.

Nelson, embarked on the flagship Victory, personally led the British and was mortally wounded during the clashes.

He had remained faithful to the signal he had given from Victory to his soldiers: "England expects every man to do his duty". He paid the price of his life for this loyalty. But England has not forgotten one of the greatest heroes of its history.