The love of the admiral and the maid: what did it lead to (9 photos)

These two were the favorites of England, because he became national hero, and she was very beautiful and was considered a trendsetter. But their story ended in tragedy...





Horatio Nelson was born on September 29, 1758 wealthy family, related to many aristocratic families of England. Horatio's father was a priest who raised his offspring in rigor and discipline. Unfortunately, Mother Horatio died when he was nine years old.

Already at the age of 12, the boy began working on his uncle's ship, Captain Maurice Suckling. Then he was a short and sickly boy and to complete the picture, he also suffered from seasickness. But it's not his stopped, Nelson continued to study in spite of everything and already at the age of 20 became the captain of his own ship.



Maurice Suckling

Nelson's campaigns have been recounted in numerous books. He managed to visit Europe, Canada, carried out assignments in the East Indies and West Indies. At first it was a war with the American colonies, then confrontation with France, then battles against Bonaparte. Nelson is fine distinguished himself in naval battles and he was deservedly called the greatest English naval commander.



Horatio Nelson

But the admiral did not limit himself to military talents alone. Nelson was skilled in love and in different countries he had women. Just in West Indies, he met his wife - a young widow with a child named after Fanny Nisbet. With her, he returned to his native England, however, already there it turned out that the bride's relatives significantly exaggerated the size of her dowry, and the girl herself decided not to specify that she was no longer able to have children. But Nelson was more interested in his sea voyages anyway.



Emma Hamilton

But Emma Hamilton (née Amy Lyon) was not born into such a privileged family.

The girl was born on April 26, 1765. Her father was blacksmith, who, however, did not leave any trace in her life, having died a few months after Emma's birth. Mom was forced move in with your parents and start earning by selling coal.

When Amy was 12 years old, she was sent to London to work maid. Then, however, the girl tried her hand at the role dancers and models. At the age of 16, she became pregnant and, having given birth to a daughter, gave her grandmother to raise.



Fanny Nelson

Soon a certain Charles Greville fell in love with her: he settled Emma at home, taught her singing, music, good manners. She is now became Emma Hart. Greville understood that love is, of course, good, but things need to be arranged and a profitable marriage loomed on the horizon. Emma sent to his uncle in Naples, who did not mind, because his beloved nephew finally ceased to be on his content.



William Hamilton

The uncle's name was William Hamilton and he worked in the Naples kingdom by the British ambassador. He was noble, kind, educated and was able to captivate Emma after Charles betrayed her. In 1791 they got married. The girl was 26, and he was 60. The society was quite agitated such a misalliance, but she accepted the new wife - she was stunningly beautiful, but not stupid and charming. By the way, it was she who came up with for aristocrats entertainment - "live pictures" (when based on paintings performances were made).

Hamilton did everything for his wife and even took care of her daughter, taking her to support.

Two years after their wedding, he was briefly in Naples Nelson, who met the Hamilton couple and immediately fell in love with Emma.

Five years later he came again to defend Naples from Bonaparte's invasion. By that time, Horatio had won the glory of a hero and remained an attractive man, despite the fact that in the battles he lost right hand and was blind in one eye.



Lady Hamilton

The novel began in 1798. Gossip dispersed right there, lovers especially did not hide. Hamilton knew about the connection, but nothing did: according to some, he was flattered that he showed attention to his wife Nelson himself.

In 1800, the three of them moved to London and began to live there. in one house. Horatio from wife, pof course, left, but officially a divorce they never made it out. In 1801, a daughter was born on the Hamilton estate Nelson and Emma, who was named Horace. The baby was declared an orphan and the admiral "took her up".



Nelson

The next stage of the relationship was the house. Nelson bought it for your favorite girls. Amy zealously undertook to equip their nest: called the best craftsmen, bought furniture, paintings, thought over the decoration and home design.

They did not live alone: their father and Nelson's sisters, who fell in love with Emma, here she finally moved his eldest daughter. William Hamilton died in 1803 and left nothing to his widow. Society was only interested in her as long as she was in a love triangle, Nelson was at sea again, and their second the common child after birth lived only a couple of weeks. Inconsolable Emma there was no one to comfort her.



October 21, 1805 Horatio Nelson was killed on the first day Battle of Trafalgar - he was shot by a French sniper.

The admiral's last wish was to take care of Emma Hamilton and their daughters Horace. Status, title, real estate - everything received Fanny's official wife, sisters and brother. Emma didn't get anything. Her husband's posthumous pension was too small to support them and Nelson at home. She moved with her daughter time after time. Debts were growing. Emma was selling out things. The British government, however, did not consider it necessary to carry out quite a simple request from their national hero.

The woman died of pneumonia in 1815.