Valentine’s day, 1797: the British Royal Navy are hoping for a decisive clash with the Spanish enemy, off the coast of Portugal, at Cape St. Vincent. Nelson has already narrowly avoided capture at the hands of the Spanish, after sailing through their fleet unnoticed, thanks to the auspicious cover of thick fog. But the British are outnumbered, and the Spanish fleet has at its head the largest warship in the world, the Santísima Trinidad. The stakes couldn’t be higher: if the Spanish aren’t stopped, they could head North towards the western coast of France and join forces with the French, the consequences of which would be terrible. Indeed, the French would then reign supreme over the Channel, offering them the perfect conditions to invade Britain. But after a disastrous start to the battle for the Royal Navy, all seems lost for the Royal Navy, until a single British ship breaks formation, and takes on the Santísima Trinidad. But who could possibly be behind such an insane manoeuvre? Join Tom and Dominic in the third part of our series on Lord Nelson, as they dive into the chaos and carnage of the Battle of Cape St. Vincent, and look at how Nelson’s incredibly daring charge saved Britain… _______ LIVE SHOWS *The Rest Is History LIVE in the U.S.A.* If you live in the States, we've got some great news: Tom and Dominic will be performing throughout America in November, with shows in San Francisco, L.A., Chicago, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Boston and New York. Tickets on sale now at TheRestIsHistory.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Producer: Theo Young-Smith Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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Did you know that our Sunday Times bestselling book, The Rest Is History Returns, is now out in paperback? From finding out who British history's biggest lad was to tracing the admittedly hazy ancient origins of Raiders of the Lost Ark, it's filled cover to cover with more curious historical moments than you can crack a lasso at, plus puzzles and a pub quiz.
The Rest Is History Returns, available now in all good bookshops. On the deck of the victory, Jervis clenched his fists in frustration. The Spanish were getting away. After all the waiting, it had all been for nothing. And then, to his amazement, one of the smaller British ships did something extraordinary.
In flagrant defiance of all his orders, it broke out of the line, abandoning the planned formation and striking out alone across the sea. The Admiral's jaw dropped. The unknown captain was heading straight for the Spanish fleet. He was bearing down on the gigantic enemy flagship, the Santissima Trinidad. Guns blazing. For death or glory. And then Jervis realised who it was. It was Nelson.
So honestly, Dominic, do you know, my daughters now, I'm afraid, are too old to have a bedtime story read to them because actually Katie's 25. But I'm quite tempted to get it for them for Christmas and read it to them. Oh, you absolutely should. I can't think of a better way you could spend Christmas. So this is from Nelson, Hero of the Seas, your thrilling new book. Yeah.
Aimed at a younger audience, but very much tailored for an adult patriot as well. Definitely. Yeah. And this is a heroic, I mean, astonishing moment. We'll come to it in the Battle of Cape St. Vincent fought on the 14th February 1797. And this is the feat that makes Nelson a national hero for the first time. And we'll be looking at that. We'll be looking at how he loses his
Yes. So today's episode, I mean, there's no disguising it. This is history as pure swashbuckling melodrama. Daring do. Absolutely. And we have no apology in saying that. So let's remind ourselves, Tom, where we got to. We are in February 1797. The British have been driven out of the Mediterranean by Napoleon's advances on land.
The Spanish have joined the war and are looking to link up with the French, which would be disastrous for Britain. Nelson has been heading back through the Mediterranean. He's gone through the Straits of Gibraltar. He has sailed through the Spanish fleet in the fog. And to his relief, he has linked up with Sir John Jervis, Old Oak, this toad-like, indomitable admiral off Cape St. Vincent.
And now Jervis has the chance to draw up his plans and to strike for victory.
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