On this Day - Nelsons Furneral

Nelson's funeral at St Paul's Cathedral.

Nelsons Funeral (NMM)

1806, Britain's War Hero Horatio Nelson had been killed at the Battle of Trafalgar just over two months ago; his body made its final journey to London from Greenwich on the 8th January. 

After his death at 4.30, with no coffins on board, they needed something to store his body. A leaguer or large water barrel was the best option available. His body was prepared, his clothes (except his shirt) were removed, and a lock of his hair was cut for his dear Emma. William Beatty explained that after his body was placed in the barrel, it was filled with Brandy.

With the cask placed on the Middle deck, a sentry was placed to guard his body. 

On the 28th October HMS Victory arrived at Gibraltar, and the Brandy was drained off, and fresh Brandy added. During the 5 week trip to Spithead, the Brandy was replaced twice more.

11th December Dr Beatty prepared Nelsons Body and it was at this point he found the ball that had killed him. The body was wrapped in cotton and bandaged from head to toe before being placed in a lead coffin, then a wooden coffin made from the main mast of the French Ship L'Orient from the Battle of the Nile.

His body was placed in the Painted Hall at the Royal Hospital Greenwich as the nation mourned. 

Nelsons Funeral 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/the-scandalous-decision-to-pickle-admiral-horatio-nelson-in-brandy

https://navyhistory.org.au/the-preservation-of-horatio-lord-nelsons-body/

Research Trip

 I have spent the day planning a trip to London mainly for research purposes.

• National Maritime Museum - Greenwich
• Old Royal Navy College - Greenwich
• British Library

There will be much more to add. 

Plans and Trips

 London

I spent a large part of the day planning my first research trip to London. Not sure of the dates yet, but have been building a list of places I need to visit and resources I need to see. What started out as a couple of nights away is now up to five nights. 

There are the obvious must-visit places such as National Maritime Museum Greenwich, but then other places such as Cutty Sark and The Tower of London have crept in. 

Also after the Westminster Effigies talk, I attended I now need to go and see these, though this is relevant as they have an effigy of Horatio Nelson, complete with a Bicorn (More on him later).

Then comes accommodation and travel, so much to consider. 

Royal Hospital Greenwich

As a child growing up near Greenwich, I was always in awe of the buildings that made up Greenwich Royal Navy College (now Greenwich University). This had originally been the Royal Hospital Greenwich for retired seafarers. I particularly loved the painted hall, but that's one for another day. 

Whilst browsing the collections of The National Maritime Museum Online Collection (another of my favourite places as a child), I came across this wonderful item of uniform from the Hospital.

https://www.rmg.co.uk/collections/objects/rmgc-object-71601