france Archive

  • An Overview of The Great Siege of Gibralter

    An Overview of The Great Siege of Gibralter

    The Great Siege of Gibraltar was an unsuccessful attempt by Spain and France to capture Gibraltar from the British during the American War of Independence. This was the largest action fought during the war in terms of numbers, particularly the Grand Assault of 18 September 1782. It was the longest siege endured by the British [...]

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  • Napoleon and the Jews

    Napoleon and the Jews

    While Mr. Canning is the only Jewish character of any importance in the Aubrey/Maturin series (I think, correct me if I’m wrong), the history of Jews during the Napoleonic era is fascinating because it shows perfectly the contradictions in Napoleon’s character. On the one hand, he was as Stephen would say a tyrant, a despot, [...]

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  • The French, Russian and Spanish Navies in Aubrey’s Day

    The French, Russian and Spanish Navies in Aubrey’s Day

    As an island nation, England’s navy has always been of primary importance to its security, and by the Napoleonic era their navy was arguably the best in the world. Few countries could match them and even fewer tried. But they were not the only fish (ships? Terribly mixed metaphor) in the sea. France, Russia and [...]

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  • Any Friend of Stephen’s is a Friend of Mine: Guillaume Dupuytren

    Any Friend of Stephen’s is a Friend of Mine: Guillaume Dupuytren

    Throughout the course of our beloved series, a few allusions are made to Stephen’s past studying medicine in Paris. He “dissected with Dupuytren”, apparently, but what on earth does that mean? Was he a mentor of Stephen’s? As it turns out, our dear Maturin and Dupuytren would more accurately be described as contemporaries. Dupuytren had [...]

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  • <i>Well-Dressed Men</i> Civilian Extant Garments Album

    Well-Dressed Men Civilian Extant Garments Album

    “Dr Maturin is waiting for you, Di,” said Cecilia. “He is walking his horse up and down in a fine new bottle-green coat with a black collar. And he has a new tie-wig. I suppose that is why he went up to London.” - Cecilia Williams to Diana Villers, Post Captain All images and background [...]

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  • <i>Well-Dressed Ladies</i> Extant Garments Gallery

    Well-Dressed Ladies Extant Garments Gallery

    “It was a good dress, a light, flimsy version of the naval blue, with white about it – no black, no concessions to Mrs Williams, for it was understood that at a ball any woman was allowed to make the best of herself; but where taste, figure and carriage are equal, a woman who can [...]

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  • Ship Losses During the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802)

    Ship Losses During the French Revolutionary War (1793 – 1802)

    Ship losses during the Revolutionary War from 1793 through to late 1802 are very revealing as to the strength of the British navy. Although the French and Spanish were the main adversaries the British also had to contend with the Dutch (under the guise of the Batavian Republic) and the Danes. There is also one [...]

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  • The State of Aubrey’s Royal Navy

    The State of Aubrey’s Royal Navy

    Just what kind of situation is Jack getting himself into when he takes command of the Sophie in Master and Commander? The Naval Balance The naval balance of power during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was one-sided, with Britain having so large and powerful a fleet it could match all the other sea-faring nations put [...]

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