Horatio Nelson & The Battle of Copenhagen 1801

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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Battle of Copenhagen - or more correctly the First Battle of Copenhagen - was fought between Denmark and the British Royal Navy on the 2nd April 1801.

Sandwiched between the Battles of the Nile and Trafalgar (both of which I have talked about in the past), it was yet another emphatic victory by, arguably, Britain’s greatest naval commander - Admiral Horatio Nelson.

One which he, himself, declared the most terrible battle he had fought in.
At one point Nelson was ordered to designate but famously put his telescope to his disabled eye and claimed that he couldn’t see the signal.

And yet, in one of those sliding door moments in history, the battle could have been avoided completely if only news had travelled faster.

This is the story of the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801.

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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:46 Copenhagen
2:12 Reasons for the battle
4:08 British arrive
5:45 Nelson's Battle Plan
8:21 Battle of Copenhagen
12:19 Nelson Turns A Blind Eye
13:29 Casualties & Losses
14:30 Horatio Nelson The Hero
15:07 A Pointless Battle?
16:11 Conclusion
16:52 The History Chap

#battleofcopenhagen #royalnavy #horationelson

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My name is Chris Green and I love to share stories from British history. Not just because they are interesting but because, good or bad, they have shaped the world we live in today.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree in Medieval & Modern history from the University of Birmingham.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[shanemeyer]

I'm half Plains Indian (Lakota Sioux) raised in the cornfields of Iowa. I don’t have a drop of Britsh or Celtic blood in me, but I feel a kinship and gratitude with respect to British history. Great Britian was unequivocally a global civilizing force largely responsible for the quality of life I enjoy in America today, after the dust of her empire has settled in our modern times.

I have a deep abiding respect and appreciation for the British story, controversies and triumphs alike, and I find your videos fascinating. I simply can't get enough. Thank you, and please keep them coming!

[coult]

Thanks again for a wonderful story. By chance I did know about this battle because it resulted eventually in the building of a replica of a Dutch East India trade ship in the Netherlands on wich I served as a volontair. After the defeat of the Danisch fleet the Danes started planting a lot of oak trees to replenish the lost ships. By the time they were useble for shipbuilding iron ships were starting to be the new norm. After the Dutch East India Company build around 1700 ships in 200 years we did not have many oaktrees left.The Danes have now a lot of oaktrees and our shipbuileder made a deal to buy oak to build the Batavia in Lelystad . For each oaktree taken we planted three new ones in Denmark. What an ancient battle can lead to..!

[salt]

I really like the way you bring history alive. I hope in the future you can broaden your reach into the history books.

[pharol]

I can add a few bits to your excellent video. Nelson had promised Hyde Parker that the battle would take no more than an hour. When the time was long past noon, Parker remarked that "Nelsons hour is bloody long". - During the battle the captain of the Amazon, Edward Riou was killed by a cannonball fired from Trekroner fortress. His last words were: "Come, then, my boys, let us all die together!".

[jona]

7:25 I think you'll find that Shakespeare was the first to use the expression, "Band of Brothers", in his play "Henry V". Quote: "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers".

[AlbertComelles]

Another outstanding piece of history telling, thank you very much, Chris!

[harryshriver]

A wonderfully told story, my friend, I find Horatio Nelson to be one of the more interesting characters in. English Naval history. The fact he raised a blind eye telescope says everything about him and his dogged determination in battle. The ballsy can do winner takes all attitude is what made him one of my GOAT (Greatest Of All Times) personalities.

[joeritchie]

I love how you bring history to life, and how you teach these wonderful lessons. I love the history of Admiral Nelson. It is so much history that I never knew about. Love it.

[albertliu]

Another excellent analysis! The Battle of Copenhagen was one of those battles that should have never been fought. The English had not had any serious dispute with the Danes since the time of King Cnut in 1016. The aim of the battle really was to drag Denmark out of the League. Nelson was not in command of the fleet because he was in disgrace due to his one tremendous love affair with Emma Hamilton and his cruel treatment to his wife 'Fanny'. English society at the time as a whole, including the King looked down on Emma and Nelson became the joke of the day! On his response to Parker's message 'signal 39 - to leave off action' and his famous remark that 'I really did not see the signal', there was no written record to prove that he actually said it but over the years historians as well as popular culture have embedded this into their publication and story telling. After the battle Parker was quietly dismissed and Nelson was made a viscount.

[Jon.A.Scholt]

How did I just get this in my feed?! In any case, I know I'm late, but this was another great video! Love to see content on Nelson's victories outside of Trafalgar.

[ClosedGame]

I'm Danish. Many years ago, when visiting London I crossed Trafalgar square with my family. I sneered at the statue and promptly flipped the bird at it, only to then be loudly berated by an older English gentleman ... pinstriped suit, bowler and London Times folded under his arm ... a real charicature. I looked at him, when he stopped to draw breath and simply stated: "I'm Danish, sir" ... at which point, he stopped cold, blinked in momentary confusion and went: "I see. Well then, carry on. Remember Copenhagen!"

And then he walked off.

[richardernsberger]

Another amazing history lesson. I feel like I'm sitting in history class with a very engaging instructor.

[ropeburnsrussell]

You make complex actions easy to understand.
Its a very enjoyable channel, thanks!

[jdgooner]

Thank you Chris, really enjoyed that, I didn’t realize we clashed with Denmark, 👍

[andrewsteele]

Thanks Chris, another brilliant telling of a piece of history I knew nothing about., Cheers

[jftw]

Wow, well done, brilliantly told. Love the extra anecdotes, they round out the events beautifully

[JamesThomas-ggil]

Great as usual sir. I would enjoy your take on and subsequent telling of one William Blighs full story. Most only know he was set on the bounty, but you and i know that wasnt the only time, and he survived through superb seamanship.

[ianknight]

Thank you Chris. Excellent and very enjoyable as usual.

[csgraffiti]

Band of Brothers is a quote from Shakespeare, so it is some 200 years after Shakespeare, that Nelson uses the quote. Not before Spielberg does. "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers" from the famous Henry V speech of the same play.

[Katmando]

Thank you, Chris, for another fascinating video.