Victory

Nelson expected every man to do his duty, and they did not disappoint. Today, an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum begins the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the finest hour in Britain's naval history. The Battle of Trafalgar of 1805 scuppered Napoleon's invasion plans and ensured that Britannia would rule the waves for a century.

Nelson expected every man to do his duty, and they did not disappoint. Today, an exhibition at the National Maritime Museum begins the celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the finest hour in Britain's naval history. The Battle of Trafalgar of 1805 scuppered Napoleon's invasion plans and ensured that Britannia would rule the waves for a century.

Some might feel it inappropriate to celebrate the defeat of one of our close European neighbours, but it ought to be remembered that we fought alongside Prussians, Austrians and Russians in the Napoleonic Wars. As well as a famous victory for Britain, Trafalgar was a costly defeat for a European tyranny. Not bad for a nation of shopkeepers, really.