Greater London Authority

Trafalgar Square, the largest square in London, is often considered the heart of London with a monument honoring Admiral Nelson.

Horatio Nelson was born on September, 29, 1758, in the North Norfolk village of Burnham Thorpe, where his father was the local rector. His mother died when he was nine, and Hotatio was just 12 when he joined the Royal Navy on his uncle’s ship, HMS Raisonnable, in 1771. His bravery in battles brought out the best in his captains and men. After being wounded in sea battles, he had only one arm and was blind in one eye.

Admiral Viscount Horatio Nelson is one of the most remembered heroes of British history. He was an international hero in his own lifetime too. He was as popular as a modern footballer or popstar today. He became popular after defeating almost the entire French Fleet in 1798 and the Danes fleet in 1801.

Admiral Nelson became famous for participation in the Battle of Trafalgar in October, 21 1805, off Cape Trafalgar on the Spanish coasts. Britain and France had been at war with each other a long time. The battle was between the combined fleets of Spain and France, (led by Napoleon) and the Royal Navy (led by Nelson). In 1802, both countries signed a truce but neither expected it to last and it didn’t. In 1804 the war began again, and this time Napoleon (on the French side) intended to invade Britain. It was Nelson’s job to stop him. On October 21, 1805, the both sides met. Admiral Nelson had a fleet of 27 ships. The French and Spanish had an armada of 33 vessels.

The British cut the French and Spanish line of battle and destroyed or captured almost all their ships. But a French marksman spotted Nelson and shot him! When Nelson was shot, at the height of the Battle of Trafalgar, the whole of the country was plunged into mourning. Nelson was given a grand State Funeral and is buried in a tomb in St Paul’s Cathedral.

Statues of Nelson were erected all over Britain, but the most famous being in Trafalgar Square in London. His flagship HMS Victory serves as a shrine to one of the country’s rich naval history.