Lock of Lord Nelson's hair that was cut as he lay dying at the Battle of Trafalgar so it could be given to his mistress goes on sale for £15,000
A substantial lock of Admiral Lord Nelson's hair which was cut from his head at the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged for sale for £15,000.
As the great naval hero lay dying on HMS Victory on October 21, 1805, he instructed Vice-Admiral Thomas Hardy to remove some of his hair and give it to his beloved mistress, Lady Emma Hamilton.
She kept his pig-tail for their love child Horatia, but gave a select group of his friends and comrades individual locks.
The 4.5cms lock of light-brown hair has been kept in a small antique box which includes a plaque that reads, 'N...05'.
The lock has naturally curved to the shape of the box - which dates from 1800 to 1810 - over more than two centuries.
A substantial lock of Admiral Lord Nelson's hair which was cut from his head at the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged for sale for £15,000
Its large size suggests it was gifted by someone important or close to the family.
The lock, one of the largest ever offered for sale, has emerged on the market with antiques dealer Paul Fraser Collectibles, of St Helier, Jersey.
A Paul Fraser Collectibles spokesperson said: 'Historic hair is one of the fastest-growing categories in the memorabilia market.
'This is one of the most substantial locks of Nelson's hair ever offered on the market, and will make an impressive addition to any British history collection.
'Millions of people visit London each year and stare up in wonder at his statue, as it towers high above the capital's streets.
'And yet here is an artefact that gets you closer to Nelson than most of them could ever dream of.
'It is a very real piece of the man himself.
'You can own this lock of hair, from one of the most celebrated heroes in British history, for only £15,000.
'I'd suggest that's a small price to pay for a genuine national treasure.'
Nelson was shot and killed by a French sniper at the Battle of Trafalgar after urging his men to 'do their duty'.
But he survived long enough on his death bed to to hear from Hardy that Britain had triumphed over the combined forces of Spain and France.
As the great naval hero lay dying on HMS Victory on October 21, 1805, he instructed Vice-Admiral Thomas Hardy to remove some of his hair and give it to his beloved mistress, Lady Emma Hamilton (right)
He also gave final directions for the British fleet and left messages for Emma and Horatia, who was born in 1801.
There continues to be question marks over what Nelson's final words were.
The most widely accepted account - backed up by three witnesses - records that Nelson said 'Kiss Me Hardy' before his death.
But another account written by the master at arms on HMS Belleisle - which was second in the British column - claims he said: 'Thanks be to God but I have lived this day and now I die content.'
The letter emerged for sale late last year for £1,600.
The 4.5cms lock of light-brown hair has been kept in a small antique box which includes a plaque that reads, 'N...05'
Nelson was shot and killed by a French sniper at the Battle of Trafalgar after urging his men to 'do their duty'
Nelson was shot and killed by a French sniper at the Battle of Trafalgar after urging his men to 'do their duty'
Nelson was married to Frances Nisbet but conducted an intense love affair with Emma after being introduced to her in 1793.
They had a relationship with the knowledge and blessing of Emma's husband, who even invited the seaman to stay at their marital home.
Nelson and Emma wrote to each other regularly when he was away at sea, she kept every piece of correspondence.
In one letter, written from HMS Victory when when Nelson was chasing the Spanish and French fleet, he expressed fears about his life.
He said: 'I send you the enclosed that difficulty may arise about My Dear Horatia in case any accident should happen to me for I know too well the necessity of taking care of those we love whilst we have the power, and these arraingements do not hasten our death.'
Nelson's wife, known as Fanny, was left heartbroken by her husband's affair and begged him to come back to her.
Battle of Trafalgar: Epic sea clash that laid foundations for Britain's global power - and claimed the life of Lord Admiral Nelson
Nelson's (above) triumph at Trafalgar gave Britain control of the seas and laid the foundation for Britain's global power for more than a century
Fought on October 21, 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar is one of history's most epic sea clashes.
Not only did it see Britain eliminate the most serious threat to security in 200 years, but it also saw the death of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson.
This was not before his high-risk, but acutely brave strategy won arguably the most decisive victory in the Napoleonic wars. Nelson's triumph gave Britain control of the seas and laid the foundation for Britain's global power for more than a century.
Despite signing a peace treaty in 1803, the two nations were at war and fought each other in seas around the world.
After Spain allied with France in 1804, the newly-crowned French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte had enough ships to challenge Britain.
In October 1805, French Admiral Pierre-Charles Villeneuve led a Combined French and Spanish fleet of 33 ships from the Spanish port of Cadiz to face Nelson and Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood.
Fought on October 21, 1805, the Battle of Trafalgar is one of history's most epic sea clashes. Not only did it see Britain eliminate the most serious threat to security in 200 years, but it also saw the death of British naval hero Admiral Lord Nelson
Nelson, fresh from chasing Villeneuve in the Caribbean, led the 27-ship fleet charge in HMS Victory, while Vice Admiral Collingwood sailed in Royal Sovereign.
Battles at sea had until then been mainly inconclusive, as to fire upon the opposing ship, each vessel had to pull up along side one another (broadside) which often resulted in equal damage.
Nelson bucked this trend by attacking the Combined Fleet line head on - and sailed perpendicular towards the fleet, exposing the British to heavy fire.
He attacked in two columns to split the Combined Fleet's line to target the flagship of Admiral Villneuve.
11. 30am Lord Nelson famously declared that 'England expects that every man will do his duty', in reference to the command that the ships were instructed to think for themselves. The captains had been briefed on the battle plan three weeks before, and were trusted to bravely act on their own initiative and adapt to changing circumstances - unlike their opponents who stuck to their command.
Vice Admiral Cuthbert Collingwood led the first column and attacked the rear of the line, and broke through.
Nelson sailed directly for the head of the Combined Fleet to dissuade them from doubling back to defend the rear. But before he reached them, he changed course to attack the middle of the line - and Villeneuve's flagship.
Speeding toward the centre of the line, HMS Victory found no space to break through as Villeneuve's flagship was being tightly followed - forcing Nelson to ram through at close quarters.
In the heat of battle, and surrounded on three sides, Nelson was fatally shot in the chest by a well-drilled French musketeer.
The Combined Fleet's vanguard finally began to come to the aid of Admiral Villeneuve, but British ships launch a counter-attack.
Admiral Villeneuve struck his colours along with many other ships in the Combined Fleet and surrendered.
4.14pm HMS Victory Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy dropped below deck to congratulate Nelson on his victory.
4.30pm With the knowledge he has secured victory, but before the battle had officially concluded, Lord Nelson died.
5.30pm French ship Achille blew up signalling the end of the battle - in all 17 Combined Fleet ships surrendered.
... so did Nelson really say 'Kiss me, Hardy' with his dying words?
By RICHARD CREASY for the Daily Mail (in an article from 2007)
It was Britain's greatest naval victory and for more than 200 years historians have analysed every detail.
Now, amazingly, a new eye-witness account of the Battle of Trafalgar has emerged during a house clear-out.
It gives not only a first-hand view of proceedings from the lower decks but also a different interpretation of one of history's most enduring arguments - Admiral Lord Nelson's dying words.
Robert Hilton was a 21-year-old surgeon's mate on HMS Swiftsure, a 74-gun ship that played its part in the destruction of the French and Spanish fleets and of Napoleon's dream of invading England.
It was 13 days later, after Swiftsure had made it through gales to Gibraltar for repairs that Hilton took up his pen and wrote a nine-page letter home on November 3, 1805.
In it he says Nelson's last words, relayed to his ship's company from Nelson's flag captain, Captain Hardy, were: 'I have then lived long enough.'
Many people believe Nelson said: 'Kiss me Hardy.'
But historians rely on his surgeon's reports that he said: 'Thank God I have done my duty.'
