ENGLAND’S OLDEST ALLY – PART TWO During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars from 1793 to 1815 seven coalitions were formed to fight the French. Consistent in all these coalitions was Britain, which was the major financier. All other members were at some stage defeated by France, occupied by France or allied to France. Napoleon recognised that his chief enemy was Britain, not because of the British Army, which was tiny compared to that of the French, but because of British money and the British navy. Napoleon knew he could not invade the UK – the Royal Navy would prevent that – but he was well aware that Britain had become the richest country in the world by industrialising and making her money by importing raw materials and exporting manufactured goods, and also that she imported 30 per cent of the food that she ate. If Napoleon could prevent other countries from trading with Britain, then she would soon be bankrupt and starving. By the Berlin decree of November 1806 all those nations under French occupation or allied to her (most of Europe and Russia) were forbidden from engaging in any commerce with Britain. The smugglers rubbed their hands, French wines and brandy continued to arrive, the Royal Navy ensured that foodstuffs arrived from North America and British ships flying the flag of the USA continued to trade with Russia. A country that refused to break off relations with the UK was Portugal, citing the Treaty of Windsor, and as at that time Spain was allied with France, Portugal was subjected to a Franco-Spanish invasion under Marshal Junot in November 1807. Prince John of Braganza, acting as regent for his mother Queen Maria who was mentally ill, ordered his countrymen not to resist, knowing that overwhelming force was about to descent upon them, and the Royal Navy removed him, the royal family, most of the government, the national treasury and various valuables to Brazil. The French duly occupied Lisbon.
Thank you for this very pleasant overview of the Peninsular War. It calls to mind Bernard Cornwell’s series on Rifleman Sharpe and Gates’ book, The Spanish Ulcer.
Thank you for this very pleasant overview of the Peninsular War. It calls to mind Bernard Cornwell’s series on Rifleman Sharpe and Gates’ book, The Spanish Ulcer.