In 305, I wrote about my trip out to the Alver Valley. I had every intention of going on to Fort Gilkicker, but didn’t get there because I decided my feet had had enough for the day (they had served me well). Whilst I was walking away from the Motte & Bailey, I asked Siri a small set of questions. Now some times, she comes up with rubbish answers, other times she’s spot on. This time, she just confused me.
The first question was when were the Palmerston Forts built – the answer came back between 1865 and 1871. OK fair enough. Next question; When was Napoleon alive, again the answer came back fairly succinct; born 1769, died 1821. I knew that the forts had been built primarily because of a perceived threat of attack from the French. This is where my confusion really kicked in (and at this point, whilst slightly ashamed of my ignorance of History, I must acknowledge it). I thought that Napoleon was the threat, and that once he had been exiled to Elba, that was the threat done. Well, clearly not. So my next question was who was the ruler of France in 1865. The answer came back; Napoleon – the Third!! By now, my brain is in turmoil. I knew of Napoleon Bonaparte – who doesn’t? That there were three Napoleons was a revelation;
- Napoleon Bonaparte (the famous one) 1769 – 1821
- Napoleon II 1811 – 1832
- Napoleon III 1808 – 1873
I’m going to be a bit harsh, and say that Napoleon II clearly had a role in history, but because of his short life it wasn’t as significant a role as his father or his brother.
Although Napoleon III wanted to emulate his fathers conquests, and attempted to do so, he was nowhere near as successful as a conqueror, but as a President rather than an empower, he seems to have led a more productive life than his father.
To briefly return to the construction of the Palmerston Forts; by the time they were completed, the threat from France had mostly disappeared. Hence the forts became known as Palmerston’s Follies.
I want my Vlog of Gilkicker to be just ever so slightly more professional than The Alver Valley Motte and Bailey – To which, I shall return!
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