Expert: Joseph Logue - 2/15/2004

Question
Hello, Joseph.

An odd question perhaps, but for reasons that do not bear going into, I am trying to find any connections (plural--and prior to 1815) between Greenwich and what might best be described as "a miliraty theme".

Did, for instance--and however long ago--any famous battles, invasions ever take place there? Perhaps a famous Admiral was born there? Did an "rebelions" spring from there? Are there any prominent BUILDINGS there that exist within this theme?

Persons, places, things or events that are associated in some way with COMBAT BEFORE 1815.

(a SHIPYARD maybe?)

That sort of thing.

I don't know exactly what it is I am looking for yet--but I'll know it when I hear it. (I don't expect it will be terribly obscure, but I don't expect it will be obvious to the modern mind, either.)

Regards,
Dan O'Hanlon

Answer
Hi Dan,

As you probably know by now, Greenwich has many associations with the sea because of the Royal Naval College.  It is the birthplace of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, two monarchs under whom Britain began to dominate the seas.  The ties to the Royal Navy are strong and are of long-standing.

Greenwich is the seat of naval history for Britain, and as such there is a certain "military theme," but there were no famous battles there (at least that I know of).  It was a favorite spot of King Charles II (who had Inigo Jones design the lovely Queen's House) so it is not unreasonable to assume that Greenwich was loyal to the Stuarts during the Civil War.  It was, also, close enough to escape from London when plague was raging.

I cannot really speak about combat or shipyards, that is a bit outside my area, but you might want to look at the Web site for the National Maritime Museum (http://www.nmm.ac.uk).  There is also a link to the Royal Observatory.  I also have done a little research and have come up empty with a list of Admirals born in Greenwich.  Perhaps searching around Web sites might help.

Sorry I could not offer more, but a visit to your local library should yield more detailed information.  (Look for British Who's Who, Who Was Who, etc., naval histories.)

Happy searching!
Joseph