I love how you explained what a mistress is 😆

"One of the many countries we were at war with at the time", I love your facial expression when you say that line! Very interesting video!

Blackadder: I have a horrid suspicion that Baldrick’s plan will be the stupidest thing we’ve heard since Lord Nelson’s famous signal at the Battle of the Nile: “England knows Lady Hamilton is a virgin. Poke my eye out and cut off my arm if I’m wrong.”

haha i loved the repeating Boris pictures when talking about mistresses. Anyway, loving the content, and hope you are able to keep making these!

Nelson's uncle was on the officers exam board, but he didn't help Nelson to pass the board. He only mentioned that he was related to Nelson after the board had passed Nelson. When the other board members asked why he hadn't mentioned it, because they would have passed a relative of a friend, he said he was confident that Nelson would pass on his own merits, and wanted it to be Nelson's achievement alone.

as a collector I couldnt help but feel for poor lady hamilton's husband losing his vase collection, it honestly hit me harder than any death on your story

There’s a great scene in Master and Commander after the young midshipman Blakeney loses an arm, the captain comes around and visits him in the sickbay, and hands him a book of great naval victories, open to a portrait of Nelson with an empty sleeve pinned to his chest. Sort of a nice fatherly moment from Jack, which even in the books is rarely seen.

Nelson was a deeply flawed individual, a lot of military heroes are, especially it could be said our naval heroes, who tended to have something of a piratical nature about them. Drake is a prime example of this, he was literally a pirate, he even ran off while fighting the Spanish Armada to go do some looting. You mentioned about him disobeying orders at the Battle of Copenhagen, it wasn't the only time he disobeyed orders. Another notable example was one of the other battles you mentioned, the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, where he broke the order to follow in line and chose instead to charge into the enemy fleet. However it should be noted that at the time and even today, that while you are expected to follow orders, you're also expected to use your own brain and adapt to the situation, even if that might mean disobeying orders. Of course if you do disobey an order, you had better be right, and preferably victorious, otherwise your military career will be over fairly quickly. At the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, he broke orders because he realised unless the Spanish ships were slowed the British ships would likely not be able to catch them back up after their first pass, so he took his ship out of line and engaged the Spanish ships directly, thereby allowing the rest of the British fleet to catch back up. If it hadn't been for his actions, the battle probably would have been indecisive. At the Battle of Copenhagen, the order to retreat was actually sent to protect Nelson. The British fleet had split into two for the battle, with the ships with shallower drafts being sent in under the command of Nelson, while the heavier ships stayed with Admiral Parker, who was in overall command. Unfortunately three of the British ships would still run aground during the battle and with the gun smoke obscuring Parker's view of the battle, he began to think that Nelson might be in trouble and unable to withdraw due to the Articles of War. Thus, as he told his Flag Captain: "I will make the signal of recall for Nelson's sake. If he is in condition to continue the action, he will disregard it; if he is not, it will be an excuse for his retreat and no blame can be imputed to him.".

I just can't get enough of your humor! I have a cat named Lord Nelson, my friend helped me name him even though she was not aware he has limited sight in one eye and a bum front leg. He was a feral cat I watched have many battles in my Boston MA back yard.

I love referring to Cardinal Wolsey as "some guy" especially given the relation to one of England's most famous kings.

What I love about this examination is that it goes through this idea that a “hero” is often times closer to an Achilles than a Superman. Powerful. Grand in Scale. Autocratic. Violent.

He also tried to make sailors lives a little better, but most of all he was a brilliant naval tactician, he saw opportunities and took them.

I DID NOT EXPECT IT TO TURN ALL ASK A MORTICIAN-Y IN THE END Anyway you're amazing and I found out that the love I have for you in short format is nothing on the love I have for you in full essay so I'm marathoning your stuff. Thanks for everything you do.

Superbly informative and entertaining. On the matter of Nelson memorabilia: Nelson and Emma would go together to the town of Monmouth, on the Wales-England border. A local aristocrat Lady Llangattock (mother of Charles Rolls, of Rolls Royce fame) kept a huge collection of Nelson memorabilia including love letters between Emma and Horatio. The collection was donated to the town, which became the Nelson Museum (still there today), and they also built yet another of those Nelson memorials, this time on the highest hill overlooking the town, the so-called Nelson naval temple.

This channel is amazing. I'm a 34 year old gay man living in a very small town in rural Missouri, In the USA - my partner and I love your sense of humor and the way you edit your videos. Informative and entertaining, I've never wanted to learn the history of another country so much!

Just a minor correction: Emma died in Calais aged 49 in 1815, not in 1849.

i am from NAples and i am speechless i never knew how much connection we have with england and who lived there, when. and how, it's fascinating. thank you

I know this is 2 years old, but I thought this might be an appreciated fact. In the Officer's Mess in Portsmouth, there is a portrait of Nelson at one end of the hall. At the far end, there is a portrait of his mistress. The story goes, that distance was as close as they were allowed to come in society.

Coming from Portsmouth, I’ve been brought up thinking of Nelson as a pure hero and so the ‘other’ side to his life is fascinating here. I have a portrait of him on my wall in France and so can add a few extra anecdotes when exposing his background. Interestingly, they are taught in Antigua that he died on the island of malaria, I suppose just to hang on to the coat tails of his fame.

You are a brilliant storyteller! If only all history teachers were as interesting, knowledgeable and enthusiastic about their subject matter! History would be everyone’s favorite subject in school and perhaps today’s society wouldn’t be making so many stupid, wrongheaded mistakes and decisions that could’ve been avoided because the leaders, decision makers and society in general would’ve actually paid attention in their history classes and learned so many invaluable lessons. Fortunately for me, my dad taught me to love history from an early age, and the best teachers I had from age 9-18 whilst in school were my history teachers. Lucky me!

We always want to see our heroes as completely virtuous and our villains as complete reprobates. Neither is ever true. Your explanations of both sides of the man is wonderful.

Heya! I'm a historic tour guide from Barbados. I just recently found your page and love learning the history from the otherside. With that said we have/had a trafalgar square and Nelson Statue in Barbados. Actually ours (Statue and square) predates London's by 27 years. Our Nelson was erected in 1813. They say it was the plantocracy of Barbados who decided to make such a visual honorific to Nelson.

I love how you explained mistresses! You are an excellent teacher.

Awesome, very well presented. Wow. Love these. And yes, "Mistress" definitions FTW.

This channel has become a fast favorite. The tongue in cheek humour is brilliant as well. And the history is nfg honesty. Thank you.

It's not just about losing your collection. It's knowing you caused all that great work to be destroyed. I feel for the guy.

Your dialectic approach to shed light from both sides on the man is greatly appreciated. Yesterday a hero, a villain today.

Only in Montréal, Canada, can you see "La colonne Nelson" a monument to honour Horatio Nelson paid by French Montrealer and English Montrealer merchants in 1809. The statute was ordered to Robert Mitchell, a Londonnian architect.

After chapter two "An Eye and an Arm" he really had no choice. He basically had to become a naval hero. I guess he was fortunate that he then became The Naval Hero.

My four times great grandfather was one of those midshipmen with Nelson, and became one of his band of brothers. But they fell out when Nelson met Emma in Naples, as my ancestor had just heard news that his own wife had died and deeply disapproved of their liaison. I grew up surrounded by paintings of ships.

I really want to re-watch this, but have a counter to calculate how many times it is said "one of the many countries we were at war with at that time ,,,,". Brilliant and thank you. :)

Probably the best of J’s videos. Fantastic and incredibly fun! I’m a tour guide at the Thomas Edison Labs and I’m always delighting at her presentation that keeps you completely interested and engaged.

Great video! Cheers from a history buff in America… one of the many countries you were at war with at the time!

As a french man, I can tell you Napoleon is still very relevant on what France is today. And Nelson defeated him! He certainly shaped the today's UK.

"Like an 18th century cosplay girl." That caught me so off guard, I can't stop chuckling. What a fantastic explanation.

That was a very comprehensive biography of Nelson packed into a tidy 18 minutes and 52 seconds. Love your accent and your diction! I see that you haven’t made videos in a while hopefully you’ll make some soon!

Thanks for giving us a great insight into Nelson! Thoroughly captivating!

I loved the Horatio Hornblower books, Nelson obviously greatly inspired them, even down to the cheating 😆

Speaking of the barrel, there is a old sea shanty called "a drop of Nelson's blood"

Seeing Noakes on top of the Column makes you really appreciate the size of the statue.

Greatest hero in British history

Thought I’d just have a quick look. Couldn’t stop watching. Thanks

Thank you for this! History had never had such an adorably witty narrator!

Years ago, I took a boat tour of the Thames and London. Very interesting. At one point, we passed what the guide said was Nelson's home and he mentioned that the ship in front of Nelson's abode was a French sailing ship. He also mentioned that the Admiral was quite the Francophobe and was more than likely continuously spinning in his grave at the thought of a French ship in his front yard! Admittedly, the tour guide may have been shining us on, but it was very funny. While in London, I also spent a very enjoyable day at Greenwich. As a naval officer who used Greenwich Mean Time in my daily working life, of course I got my photo as I straddled the Prime Meridian and then headed to the National Maritime Museum which is one of the finest I have ever been to. Most highly recommended for a visit.

I truly enjoy your energy, while learning more about British history. I love the UK. My Dad had several diplomatic postings (we are Americans), and we were always given a week or two in the UK before returning to the USA. I think it was to help us transition into English, as well as being debriefed, and given a chance to have fun without fear of creating a diplomatic situation. The best trip to the UK was after a year in Moscow. Where the KGB had the diplomatic apartments bugged, where we were never allowed to freely do anything, between Embassy guards and FSB "minders". The positive of spending a year in the USSR, was I got to see many amazing artists of Russian Ballet. I am very glad the USA and UK remain on good terms. London has amazing museums, beautiful architecture, and so much beauty in your diverse natural topography. I have a passion for old books...Not ones just to sit on the shelves, but ones I read often. London has always been my favorite place to hunt for treasures for my personal library. When I cross the pond, I make sure I get to see the Royal Ballet perform...

You had me in a 'Half Nelson' of captivation with your video.

‘Defeating the French isn’t central to who we want to be as a country anymore’, speak for yourself Draper! Amazing video though, really loving this channel .

I love how enthusiastic and passionate you are in your story telling! You make it really enjoyable.

Great job indeed! Both of you...

I really admire the way you told this story. The way you organized each section kept things both interesting and informative. Thank you for the hard work!

Great work! This is quickly becoming one of my favorite channels.

So happy to learn about my great grandfather 😊😊😊😊😊 It allows me to be more aware and mitigates the grand mythos. I truly believe that one should have a balanced view of their ancestors and historical figures.

The best summation of Nelson's life that I've seen; I learned a few things too. Your presentation style is perfect.

A brilliant and comprehensive explanation. Clear, concise, covering both the dramatic and sensitive or controversial aspects of the story.

Fort Nelson, British Columbia is named for him as well. However Nelson (also in British Columbia) was named for someone else with the same name, although one of the local schools there is named Trafalgar after the famous battle.

I was recently on St. Kitts where you can see Nevis nearby. Our tour guide asked who the most famous person from Nevis was. I obviously answered "Frances Nisbet". That was apparently the wrong answer.

I just found your channel. You are such a brilliant story teller and ist a joy to listen to you! Thank you!

Two things about Nelson's death: first of all, British admirals were expected to wear their dress uniforms in battle so that they could be visible to their sailors; second, the French sniper was lucky more than skilled. Given the movement of the two ships and the uneven time lag between the trigger being pulled and the weapon discharging, just hitting the deck was good shooting.

Oh... I really do love your videos - almost subliminal flashes of Boris abound! I'm a naval history gazer, often visiting historical dockyards (what an anorak), but still learned something new from this video - as I always seem to with your works).

What a fantastic and well presented video. Thank you for taking the time to make that, I very much enjoyed it. You’ve found a new subscriber

What a great recounting of H. Nelson. Great video! I really enjoy your work! Carry on! Cheers from Idaho!

I love the version of his funeral in the Horatio Hornblower novels, where the barge is sinking while Nelson's body is transported up the river to the ceremony.

Thank you, most entertaining , history , some I was unaware of, especially enjoyable.

Greatly enjoyed this one. Keep it up!

Great post J, I loved it!

Excellent presentation. When I visit London I always try and visit Trafalgar Square. The walk down Whitehall, to the Houses of Parliament, is well worth the effort and full of history and wonderful architecture 🇬🇧

I love your programs, J. You have made my day!

Very much enjoying your work. Cheers!

Brilliant! Well done!!!!!

Learned a lot about Nelson from your video. Enjoyed this very much.

Great information. Thanks so much for the video.

Your video on Nelson is epicly well done!! A friend of mine, found out, that a many times back - great grand dad's was a man that was a pursur on a ship that was in the battle of Trafalgar. He survived the battle. Came home to England and married an aristocrat's daughter. From that marriage ,my friend was a decendant of the 3rd son, who sailed to Australia with his bride of 2 days!

I love the kazoo. Nice touch

Note- fellow sea captain Prince William (later KW4) gave the bride away at the Nevis ceremony. Best buddies then. When he learned about Emma, never spoke to HN again. And HORATIA? I know I can look it up but Emma's fate is not the only pathetic epilog to HN's life. And Hollywood's early 40s movie That Hamilton Woman starring Scarlet O'Hara (brain freeze here). Very enjoyable. Keep it up.

I have read that when Nelson asked the signal flags to be hoisted before the battle, he asked to say "England *confides* that every man will do his duty", but the signalman suggested 'expect' because it would be one flag instead of raising one letter at a time (like duty). So, the line is more an expression of trust.

You are SO entertaining. Your stories are always fascinating. 😊😊😊

Your videos are just fantastic, cheers! :D

Thank you very much for these videos! I am learning a lot about your british history since i found your channel. I wish you all the best from Holland, one of the many countries the UK has been at war with :p

Found your channel via shorts. And never have I been so glad to stumble upon someone.

I love how you dress up for your videos, both for the fun factor and because it's kind of impressive how you manage to pull all of the looks off so well!

Thanks for that insightful video.

Very interesting, and extremely well done!

Another great video. So much info that I did not know. Thanks.

There was a weird story from the Duke of Wellington when someone asked him years later if he had ever met Nelson; the answer was “Once”. They bumped into each other at the War Office, and Nelson spent the first ten or twenty minutes talking about nothing but Nelson and how wonderful he was. Then he found out who he was talking to (another military commander who could equal him for military genius and glory) and Wellington said he’d never seen a man change so completely in an instant. The second half of the conversation was an intelligent, thoughtful discussion of the strategic situation in the war with France. Nelson was a great commander who gave the Royal Navy a tradition of victory, but he was also a celebrity who was 100% aware of his own star status.

Excellent work. ❤

I know it's irreverent, but I always chuckle at how many "last words" are attributed to Nelson. I always picture him there, knowing he's dying and coming up with some poignant saying only to realize 5 minutes later that he's still alive and having to come up with another over and over.

Great story telling. You have a great skill

Just subscribed to this channel. So glad I did. Interesting, informative, definitely entertaining. Well done!

Excellent job!!

Excellent video. Thank you,

I am so glad I chanced upon your channel! As a citizen of the U.S., I've been meaning to study the history of Great Britain for a long time. Your wonderful programs are MUCH better than some dusty old book!!!

Amazing video, truly awesome and well balanced 🇬🇧⚓

really enjoy your vids-thanks...

Fabulous explanation of history

This was a great essay. Thank you.

Wow... I enjoy your videos and shorts. I'm from Canada and have always want wanted to visit London - you make it so exciting

Great video! I knew about Nelson losing an eye before, but this is the first I heard about him losing an arm.

thank you. very good and entertaining.

The bullet that killed Nelson was kept by ship's surgeon of the Victory named William Beatty, put in a golden amulett with the fabric of the uniform still connected to it. It was later presented by Beatty's heirs to Queen Victoria. It's still part of the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle. For pictures google "Nelson's bullet". Beatty wrote a very interesting report titled A True Account of the Death of Lord Nelson. At the bicentenary of Trafalgar Channel 4 made a remarkable documentary out of it: "Trafalgar: Battle Surgeon" - the whole fight seen from Beatty's perspective at the sickbay. You'll find it on YT. Great content! Good work! Greetings from Berlin!

Like many, I knew the dry facts of Admiral Nelson, but you really make it gripping and interesting. I am such a fan of your channel. Thank you!