In 1796, Napoleon married Josephine Beauharnais, the widow of an aristocrat who had been guillotined. On their wedding day, Napoleon was twenty-six and Josephine thirty-two. His future looked promising; she was bankrupt. He married for love, she for convenience. They had a tumultuous life together until 1809 when it became clear she could never provide […]
The Boy on the Mantel in Longwood’s Dining Room Read More »
At the far end of Longwood’s reception hall, the room in which Napoleon died, a door opens into the dining room. Here his companions-in-exile and his occasional guests gathered in the evening to eat a brief supper—for meals with Napoleon were only twenty-minute affairs. Afterward, they dissected battles or the emperor read aloud from Corneille,
Longwood House Part 5 Read More »
When Napoleon arrived on St Helena in October, 1815, there was only one building worthy of a sovereign: Plantation House, the governor’s country residence. Situated in a sheltered, charmingly bucolic setting, it provided a perfect location for Napoleon and his retinue. The military could easily defend its boundaries from invasion or escape. The governor’s family
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Beyond the Billiard Room lies the Reception Room. Here, Napoleon, standing by the fireplace, one arm resting on the black stone mantel, greeted his visitors. Here, he argued with the British governor, Hudson Lowe, whom both Napoleon and Lowe himself, viewed as his jailer. Here, on May 5, 1821, Napoleon died. This is Longwood’s hallowed
Longwood House Part 4 Read More »
As visitors did during Napoleon’s time, I entered Longwood House up the stone steps through the green latticed portico, and stepped into the Billiard Room. The French volunteers-in-exile who had accompanied Napoleon crossed that same threshold with heavy hearts for a man without a future. Back then, sympathizers and enemies alike must have felt awe
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After Napoleon’s burial on May 9, 1821, his French entourage left St Helena within days. Longwood House itself fell into neglect, reverting into an agricultural property. Napoleon’s own rooms were used to store farm equipment, while termites demolished much of the rest of the structure. Hearing of its sorry state in 1854, Napoleon III (our
Longwood House Part 2 Read More »
While looking through St Helena’s official archives, I found the record of Napoleon’s death and burial in May, 1821. In the middle of the page is the entry, “Napoleon Bonaparte, late Emperor of France, he died on the 5th Instant at the old House at Longwood, and was interred on Mr Richard Torbett’s Estate.” Click
Record of Napoleon’s Burial Read More »
At first glance on a sunny day, Longwood House seems like a pleasant place to be exiled. The garden, in particular, presents a cheery face, with daisies, day lilies, and the native ebony bush in flower. In 1819, three years into his exile, Napoleon corralled his small entourage into planting a lush garden, much like
Longwood House Part 1 Read More »
After five relaxing days on calm seas, we rose early to capture a true Napoleonic experience: our first sight of the island’s dark cliffs at dawn. Although my camera couldn’t do it justice, St Helena’s forbidding silhouette didn’t disappoint me. The barren rock faces do indeed rise out of the sea like prison walls. Napoleon’s
Arrival on St Helena Read More »
The RMS St Helena proved more pleasant than I had expected from a dual-purpose passenger and cargo ship. Our cabin was roomy, the food good without being exceptional, and the service friendly. The crew tried hard to provide amusements—shuffleboard, trivia contests, movies—throughout each day. Mostly, I read on deck or talked with other travelers. I
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