Longwood House (photo by Donna Hull)
On May 5th 1821 Napoleon died.
Longwood House's Reception Room where Napoleon died (photo by Margaret Rodenberg).
He was buried in the nearby Valley of the Geraniums. He himself had selected this beautiful location, although his first choice was to be laid to rest in Paris (in 1840 his remains were indeed transfered to Paris).
Napoleon's Burial Place on St. Helena (photo by John Tyrrell)
Since 1858, after reports of neglect reached Napoleon III, the Valley and Longwood House are in possession of and maintained by France under the name of 'French Domains of Saint-Helena'.
Napoleon had taken up gardening at St. Helena.
next episode: a joyful day
Somehow I never envisaged Napoleon as a gardener - but it does show anothre side to the man.
ReplyDeleteIt is curious how this villain (Napoleone) did bring all Europe to wars and fires down 20 years, but he is described by the books somehow as a hero.
ReplyDeleteThe English had been very kind to give him water and food in this island from 1815 up to 1821.
No other strategist has had the charm and genius of Napoleon. He was an intelligent, progressive man who changed the history of Europe and has put the foundations of democracy in France. No British politician is now worthy to clean his shoes.
DeleteI would rather tend such a garden than rule France.
ReplyDeleteNapoleon was a driven man convinced off his own greatness
ReplyDeleteAn egocentric who would not accept any point of view but his own.
Either you believed in him or you couldn’t stand him.
In addition to a bold military strategist, the status that gave him the vehicle to impose his will; he was a man of culture and science.