Nelson victorious at the Battle of Trafalgar

21st October 1805

In one of the most decisive battles in history, a British fleet under Admiral Horatio Nelson defeats a combined French and Spanish fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar fought off the coast of Spain.

At sea, Lord Nelson and the Royal Navy consistently thwarted Napoleon, who led France to pre-eminence on the European mainland. After the crushing defeat at Trafalgar, Napoleon was forced to abandon his plans for an invasion of England.