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Trafalgar Square
back to sights listingThis square is London's principal venue for rallies and outdoor public meetings and is also a very popular location to celebrate New Year's Eve.
Trafalgar Square was built in honour of Admiral Nelson after his victory in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalgar, off the coast of Spain. John Nash designed the square in the 1830's. The centrepiece is Nelson's Column, which supports a large statue of Nelson on the top. Nelson looks tiny from the ground but is actually 18ft high and weighs a massive 16 tons.
On or about the 6th of December each year a huge Christmas tree is erected in the square and covered in pretty coloured lights which are switched on by a celebrity. The tree is given by Norway as a "thank you" for help during World War 2. Christmas carols are sung under the tree each evening until Christmas Eve.
Trafalgar Square, though still not pedestrianized, is also famous for its pigeons. The local authorities try to discourage people from feeding them as all the local buildings are covered with their droppings. Nelson's Column itself has a staggering 1ton of droppings removed from it each year! However, the pigeons are still very popular with tourists.
The Trafalgar Battle
Napoleon Bonaparte, known to many people as one of the greatest military leaders of all time, had led France from the chaos of revolution to being the most powerful nation on the continent. It seemed simply a matter of time before the French invaded their greatest enemy, Britain.
The natural barrier to any invasion of Britain is of course the English Channel and before Napoleon could dare land the eagles of his legions on British soil he would have to tame the finest navy in the world, the Royal Navy. By the order of Napoleon a combined fleet of French and Spanish warships, commanded by Admiral Villeneuve was to destroy the British fleet. The British fleet was under the command of the Admiral Horatio Nelson. Just off the coast from the important Spanish port of Cadiz, Cape Trafalgar would be the location for the battle.
Both Admirals knew that this was not a battle of taking 'prizes' and that ultimately the invasion of Britain was at stake.
Admiral Horatio Nelson
Nelson at that time was already a legend. He had won the Battle of the Nile, he had tamed the Danish fleet at the Battle of Copenhagen and had shown himself to be both single-minded and brave. In the previous battles Nelson has lost an arm and one eye but he remained brave and courageous - the sea was in his blood.
Admiral Nelson developed a new tactic for the battle. He decided to split his fleet into two squadrons and to cut through the familiar line of enemy ships. Following the British passing through the line they were to turn and attack the enemy from 'behind'. The main drawback, and there had to be one, was that before the British ships passed through the French line they would be subjected to cannonade after cannonade from the enemy ships. Nelson's captains were concerned to say the least but then this was Nelson and who better for them to follow than he.
The northern squadron was led by Nelson in HMS Victory while the southern squadron was led by HMS Royal Sovereign under Admiral Collingwood. The signal was sent from the Victory to the rest of the fleet: 'England expects that every man will do his duty'.
The Victory would head for the enemy centre while the Royal Sovereign led the southern squadron to the enemy rear. The Royal Sovereign deliberately headed for the Spanish flagship the Santa Anna. Firing a broadside into the painted warship the Royal Sovereign became the first British ship to engage the enemy.
Nelson aboard the Victory led the northern squadron on a series of moves that were designed to keep the enemy guessing at his point of attack.
At noon the British broke through the enemy line, and began to encircle them.
The Victory then led the northern squadron into the centre of the enemy line.
It was a close combat. Shot and splinter flew as the canons roared their venomous fire from point-blank range into the wooden hulls of the opposing ships. The smoke and flame that enwrapped the scene adding to the fearfulness of the sight. With the Royal Navy firing at a superior rate to that of the French and Spanish the battle was soon decided.
The French fleet had been surprised by Nelson's manoeuvre and their ships had been devastated by the British gunfire. It is well documented how Nelson was shot by a French sniper who had taken position in the rigging of the French ship the Redoubtable. The hero of the battle that had saved Britain from invasion was dying.
Nelson duly died aboard the HMS Victory some three hours after receiving the fatal shot, his death marring the celebrations of what was a really great victory for the British. Bonaparte was stopped from invasion and the Royal Navy were truly the masters of the seas. The tactics he had employed had been bold and yet had caused such confusion among his enemies that day that naval warfare was to change for ever. Having gained victory from imminent defeat Britain could now rebuild its power and challenge Bonaparte in his apparent lust for total European power.
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