Articles

Though seen today as the most westernised country of the Far-East, Japan from the early 17th century to 1854 pursued a policy of Sakoku 鎖国 (secluded country) cutting itself off from the outside world. It is a remarkable fact then that, before being forced open by the American naval officer Commodore Perry…

Historians of Napoleon are always keen to open a sale catalogue dedicated to his period. With the arrival of the bicentenaries, many wonderful objects and fascinating manuscripts have emerged often related to people known simply for their name. Over the nearly 15 years work on the edition…

On Monday 11 January 2021, a key supposedly to the room in Longwood House in which Napoleon died went under the hammer at a renowned auction house. The final price: £81,900. The object came with a handwritten note bearing the words: “Key of the Room at…

Well the weather’s getting worse and even though the confinement has slightly lifted here in France, it’s probably best to stay in. We thought it would be good to make the most of this time by bringing you a series of “Talking points” offering expert…

In March 1796, a twenty-six-year-old Corsican general harangued his raggle-taggle troops in the mountains above Nice. “You are naked”, he cried, “poorly fed … I wish to bring you into the richest plains in the world.” Not far from the bi-millennial anniversary of Hannibal’s crossing…

A sprinkling of this year’s offerings, to give a Napoleonic flavour to your Christmas stocking… Check out our previous lists for more inspiration! And don’t forget to support small independant local businesses when you can! Summer Selection 2020, Christmas Selection 2019, Christmas Selection 2018, Summer Reading List 2018, Christmas…

Just when we can finally be vaccinated against Covid-19, some are expressing their opposition, to something that is not an act of individual choice but a public health necessity. To those of us who’ve been around a little longer than others, who remember queuing up…

As Pierre Branda announced a few weeks ago,  2021 year of the bicentenary of Napoleon’s death is fast approaching, and will be punctuated by numerous exhibitions.

The excitement stirred up by Napoleon in Torbay in the summer of 1815 was intense. But once Northumberland had set sail, the British public had to wait ages for any “horse’s mouth” news of the Emperor. Given the approximately three months’ time lag to and…

In the spring of 1819, the 20th foot regiment arrived on the island of St Helena where it was quartered in Jamestown, Francis Plain, Lemon Valley, at High Knoll and Ladder Hill. They were to replace the 66th in February the following year, whence they…