ENGLAND’S OLDEST ALLY My wife and I having spent the New Year 2024 with some old friends in Lisbon, I am reminded of what wonderful people the Portuguese are, and that Lisbon must be one of the nicest capitals in Europe – lots to see, many delightful patisseries and cafés, and a complete absence of the more usual ‘fleece the foreigner, particularly if he is British’ attitude found elsewhere. Indeed Portugal is probably the only country in Europe, with the possible exception of Norway, where they actually like the British. Most people know that Portugal is England’s oldest ally, but are not entirely sure how that came about.
I take it you mean John Fox Burgoyne Royal Engineer, Retreat to Corruna, Peninsula War, War of 1812, versus Dom Miguel 1826, Crimean War? I have lectured on engineers in the Peninsula, but there are so many interesting soldiers, both British and Portuguese, who served there that I would probably take up a year of Substack devoted to them alone!
I take it you mean John Fox Burgoyne Royal Engineer, Retreat to Corruna, Peninsula War, War of 1812, versus Dom Miguel 1826, Crimean War? I have lectured on engineers in the Peninsula, but there are so many interesting soldiers, both British and Portuguese, who served there that I would probably take up a year of Substack devoted to them alone!
Looking forward to the chaser of this lesson. One of my beloveds was in Portugal for New Years this year as well. A happy connection!
Conte-nos a história do conde de Lippe e do general de brigada Burgoyne, por favor.