Category Archives: Napoleon

The ‘merchant king’ suspected of intrigue with Napoleon

Posted on October 24, 2014 by Simon Pipe

Saul Solomon founded a business empire that has dominated commercial life on St Helena for more than two centuries. He was also suspected of smuggling a silk ladder to Napoleon, to help him escape from exile. Now documents relating to … Continue reading →

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Not for sale: the shirt worn by ailing Bonaparte on St Helena

Posted on March 24, 2014 by Simon Pipe

A French court has stopped the auction of the shirt that was worn by Napoleon just before he fell into his final coma on St Helena, reports The Guardian. The sweat-stained garment was one of a number of souvenirs taken … Continue reading →

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Bienvenue sur Facebook pour lÎle de Sainte Hélène

Posted on December 17, 2013 by Simon Pipe

Michel Dancoisne-Martineau, the conservateur of the Napoleonic properties on St Helena, has launched a French-language Facebook page for the island. With French visitors predicted to make up a strong component of visitors to St Helena once its airport opens, it seems … Continue reading →

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Boney’s death mask fetches £170,000 – despite doubts

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Simon Pipe

A “death mask” made from a cast of Napoleon’s face at Longwood has been sold at auction for three times its expected price – despite doubts raised by a writer on St Helena history. Bonhams of London sold it for … Continue reading →

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Writer says Michel deserves top honour for Napoleon role

Posted on June 13, 2013 by Simon Pipe

Film star Clint Eastwood has one, and so has the singer Bob Dylan; and now a writer on Napoleon says Michel Dancoisne-Martineau, custodian of the emperor’s homes on St Helena, deserves to receive France’s highest honour.   Andrew Roberts makes … Continue reading →

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How Napoleon could have escaped exile by submarine: Smuggler ‘was offered £40,000’ to rescue emperor from St Helena

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Simon Pipe

Tom Johnson claimed he was offered £40,000 in 1820 to rescue Napoleon Emperor exiled by British to heavily-guarded St Helena after Waterloo loss Escape plan involved mechanical chair and Napoleon putting on disguise But Johnson’s craft was ‘intercepted on Thames’ … Continue reading →

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Slavery expert is to rescue island’s ancient archives

Posted on June 26, 2012 by Simon Pipe

Unique St Helena records dating back more than 300 years are to be rescued from possible “catastrophic loss”. Many of the ancient documents in the archives at The Castle in Jamestown are already in very poor condition because of a … Continue reading →

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Napoleon’s Longwood letter has experts debating

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Simon Pipe

A letter written by Napoleon at Longwood – in English – has set commentators off on a debate about whether he was any good at his captors’ language. The letter is tipped to fetch in the region of £65,000 at … Continue reading →

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St Helena goes on show – in Australia

Posted on June 7, 2012 by Simon Pipe

A “beautiful watercolour of Napoleon’s grave in St Helena” features in a new exhibition that tells of the emperor’s fascination with Australia, reports the Sydney Morning Herald. The National Gallery of Victoria’s “winter blockbuster exhibition” covers the Frencyh Revolution, the … Continue reading →

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Slavery role should boost World Heritage case, says expert

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Simon Pipe

A cave system in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar has been put forward for World Heritage Site status, along with the UK’s famous Forth Bridge. But a member of the original selection panel says St Helena’s own case for the … Continue reading →

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