January 28, 2007
Midway between Rio, South America and Cape Town, South Africa, is a small island only 47 square miles in area. It was discovered in 1502 & is a British Overseas Territory. Originally the island was established to give ships a safe anchorage on the long trip from England to Cape Town. Now it is famous because it was the last home of Napoleon. After loosing the battle of Waterloo (where he misjudged the number of enemy troops) he actually retreated. Napoleon returned to France and abdicated his throne. The English agreed to exile him and thus escorted him, 500 tons of regal trappings, & his entourage of 30 to St Helena. Since news didn’t travel very fast in those days, the governor of St Helena was not aware that the famous Napoleon would be living on his Island! But of course a temporary home was found.
Soon he and others were placed in a home named Longwood. Later a new home was built for Napoleon, but he refused to move there. He spent his time writing his memoirs, gardening, and evading his English guards. The guards orders were to check on Napoleon twice a day.
Napoleon spent 6 years on the Island before dying of a cancerous stomach ulcer at age 52. Perhaps you are aware of the rumors that he was murdered, but that has never been proven. Napoleon himself chose the area for his tomb and it is still a beautiful spot. Later his coffin was exhumed and sent to Paris,Les Invalides, where he is today.
As you approach St Helena (only by ship) and see forbidding rock barren cliffs one can only imagine what went through Napoleon’s mind. However, inland,among the steep cliffs and isolated valleys, the terrain is breathtaking.
Midway between Rio, South America and Cape Town, South Africa, is a small island only 47 square miles in area. It was discovered in 1502 & is a British Overseas Territory. Originally the island was established to give ships a safe anchorage on the long trip from England to Cape Town. Now it is famous because it was the last home of Napoleon. After loosing the battle of Waterloo (where he misjudged the number of enemy troops) he actually retreated. Napoleon returned to France and abdicated his throne. The English agreed to exile him and thus escorted him, 500 tons of regal trappings, & his entourage of 30 to St Helena. Since news didn’t travel very fast in those days, the governor of St Helena was not aware that the famous Napoleon would be living on his Island! But of course a temporary home was found.
Soon he and others were placed in a home named Longwood. Later a new home was built for Napoleon, but he refused to move there. He spent his time writing his memoirs, gardening, and evading his English guards. The guards orders were to check on Napoleon twice a day.
Napoleon spent 6 years on the Island before dying of a cancerous stomach ulcer at age 52. Perhaps you are aware of the rumors that he was murdered, but that has never been proven. Napoleon himself chose the area for his tomb and it is still a beautiful spot. Later his coffin was exhumed and sent to Paris,Les Invalides, where he is today.
As you approach St Helena (only by ship) and see forbidding rock barren cliffs one can only imagine what went through Napoleon’s mind. However, inland,among the steep cliffs and isolated valleys, the terrain is breathtaking.
No comments:
Post a Comment