Napoleon's invasion threat

Posted 20 September 2009 - 10:23pm by David Thrale

Between 1803 and 1804 London was braced for an expected invasion by France’s Napoleon Bonaparte.

Brynbella rear facade July 2001: Rear facade. July 2001.Brynbella rear facade July 2001: Rear facade. July 2001.

2 February 1804 :]

So now for a little While—Farewell beautiful Brynbella! we will go see how London looks in her State of martial Preparation—So bold I hope, that none will dare attack her.

15 May 1804 Brynbella.]

We are just returned; & London did look bold, & red with Wrath against ys cruel Tyrant—His Murder of Duc D’Enghien1 seems to have filled up the Measure of his Crimes, and were he to attempt Invading our free & valiant Britons—They would drive him back disgrac’d. Meanwhile the King has been ill—but he recovers; & we shall escape the Horrors of A Regency. Buonaparte threats aloud, and Insulting Our distress when the King was sick, shewed himself not even a Gentleman: yet are those slavish Subjects of his, making him Emperor of the Gauls 2; He will be assassinated ne’er the less for that though.—

All my London Friends were well I think, & all are Soldiers: & all the Soldiers in high State of Discipline.

Written by Hester Lynch Thrale. Thraliana entry dated February 1804.

  1. 1. The Bourbon heir to the throne, who as assassinated in Paris on 22 March 1804.
  2. 2. On 18 May 1804.
Hester Thrale's spelling, grammar, punctuation and capitalisation, some of which may not conform to today's standards, are reproduced faithfully throughout. More writings by her »