The Love Affair That Destroyed Nelson | Nelson EP 2
1,206Scandal, fame, and a hero’s fall. When Horatio Nelson returned home, Britain’s greatest naval commander faced his most dangerous battle yet — his reputation.
What happened when Nelson, after two years at sea, finally came back to Britain? Following the scandal of Naples, the brutal suppression of the Jacobite rebels, and his infamous affair with Lady Emma Hamilton, how was the hero of the Battle of the Nile received?
And as the Napoleonic Wars loomed, in what heroic way would Nelson next be called to serve his country — leading to the legendary Battle of Copenhagen?
Join Dominic Sandbrook and Tom Holland as they explore Nelson’s controversial return to Britain, his relationship with Emma Hamilton, and the decisions that defined the next chapter of his extraordinary life.
Start generating your own greener electricity for less, with £500 off Solar. Visit https://www.hivehome.com/history for more information. T&Cs apply*
*Output and savings varies by season, electricity usage and system size. Paid-for surplus requires an eligible SEG tariff. Offer for new customers only. Ends 17th November.
Search Vanguard to find out more. When investing, your capital is at risk. Tax rules apply.
https://www.instagram.com/theresthistory/
https://www.tiktok.com/@theresthistory
https://x.com/TheRestHistory
https://bsky.app/profile/theresthistory.bsky.social
https://www.threads.com/@theresthistory
Video Editor: Jack Meek
Social Producer: Harry Balden
Assistant Producer: Aaliyah Akude
Producer: Tabby Syrett
Senior Producer: Theo Young-Smith
Exec Producer: Dom Johnson
00:00 Intro
00:22 Hive
01:49 Fanny meets Emma & Sir William
05:03 Late summer 1799: Bourbon restoration; Nelson’s role
12:19 Strategy clash with Lord Keith
16:20 Feb 18, 1800: Nelson seizes French relief force off Malta
18:47 Nelson goes home
28:24 Fanny vs Emma
30:56 Nelson enters the world of high society
32:22 The marriage breakdown
35:46 Vanguard
36:58 Why the Baltic matters
42:01 Fleet ordered into the Baltic
44:09 Horatia’s birth; tabloids and jealousy
48:48 Nelson & Fanny: the sad end
52:26 A new battle awaits...