Napoleon's Exile
Saturday, April 4, 2009
On July 15, 1815, ater his defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon surrendered to the British and was exiled to the remote island of St. Helena in the South Atlantic, 1,200 miles off the African coast.
The actual surrender was made to Captain Maitland of the British frigate Bellerophan. Napoleon was transferred to the Northumberland and then taken to St. Helena.
This island is only 10 1/2 miles long and 6 1/2 miles wide. Napoleon had no force at this disposal, as he did on the Mediterranean island of Elba, where he was given sovereignty during his first exile.
He was to spend six years on the island before his death. He frequently quarreled with Sir Hudson Lowe, the Governor, who was very conscientious at thwarting all Napoleon's hopes of escape. He never gave up these attempts,but he also found time to write his memoirs.
He died on May 5, 1821. There were rumors that he had been poisoned, but modern historians and doctors believe it is far more likely that he had cancer of the stomach.
The actual surrender was made to Captain Maitland of the British frigate Bellerophan. Napoleon was transferred to the Northumberland and then taken to St. Helena.
This island is only 10 1/2 miles long and 6 1/2 miles wide. Napoleon had no force at this disposal, as he did on the Mediterranean island of Elba, where he was given sovereignty during his first exile.
He was to spend six years on the island before his death. He frequently quarreled with Sir Hudson Lowe, the Governor, who was very conscientious at thwarting all Napoleon's hopes of escape. He never gave up these attempts,but he also found time to write his memoirs.
He died on May 5, 1821. There were rumors that he had been poisoned, but modern historians and doctors believe it is far more likely that he had cancer of the stomach.
0 comments:
Post a Comment