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Why did the Admiralty order Horatio Nelson to return to England in 1800?
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Horatio Nelson
Lord Nelson, detail of an oil painting by J.F. Rigaud; in the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, Eng.
The Admiralty ordered Horatio Nelson to return to England in 1800 for several reasons related to both his professional conduct and his personal life:
- Disobedience of Orders: Nelson had blatantly disobeyed orders from his commander in chief, Lord Keith. When ordered to take his ships to Minorca to counter a perceived French threat, Nelson refused, insisting the threat was directed toward Naples. Although his assessment proved correct, the Admiralty viewed his insubordination as unforgivable.1
- Personal Conduct: The Admiralty had lost patience with Nelson due to his public affair with Emma, Lady Hamilton, the wife of the British envoy to Naples. Word of this "dalliance" had reached his superiors, causing significant professional friction.1
- Acceptance of Foreign Honors: The Admiralty was further angered by Nelsonās acceptance of the dukedom of Bronte in Sicily from King Ferdinand, which was seen as inappropriate for a British naval officer.1
Consequently, the Admiralty issued an icy order for his return, and he traveled back to England later that year.1