Battle of Trafalgar & Horatio Nelson

Right here is a man buried beneath this magnificent cathedral dome who changed the course of history on 21 October 1805, yet died begging his nation to protect the two people he loved most. Admiral Horatio Nelson's victory at the Battle of Trafalgar secured British naval supremacy for over a century, but his final wish became a national shame. Off the coast of Spain, Nelson commanded 27 British ships against a combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 vessels. At 11:50 am, he signaled his famous message: "England expects that every man will do his duty." His bold tactics involved splitting his fleet into two columns that smashed through enemy lines.

At 1:15 pm, a French marksman shot him on the deck of HMS Victory. He died at 4:30 pm, knowing his decisive victory had destroyed 19 enemy ships. His secret daughter Horatia was born on 29 January 1801 at 23 Piccadilly while he prepared for battle. Her mother was Lady Emma Hamilton, his mistress. To avoid scandal, elaborate lies concealed her birth. Nelson adored his daughter, writing to four year old Horatia two days before Trafalgar: “My dearest Angel, you are ever uppermost in my thoughts.”

As Nelson lay dying, he pleaded for the nation to care for Emma and Horatia. The government ignored his final wish. Emma fell into debt, was imprisoned, and died in poverty in Calais in 1815 with thirteen year old Horatia at her side.