St. Helena: Exile and Death
Napoleon on St. Helena
Following his defeat at Waterloo in 1815, Napoleon was still hoping to save France from the armies now marching towards Paris and lead a national resistance. However he was alone in his intentions, and was forced to leave Paris. Napoleon attempted to flee to America, however he was unsuccessful in evading the Prussian forces who were tasked with seizing him dead or alive and was exiled to St. Helena[1]. One hundred and ten days after departing Paris, on October 14th, Napoleon reached St. Helena[2]. Originally intending to reside in Longwood, Napoleon had spotted a villa with a pavilion attached to it, owned by one Mr. Balcombe, a merchant. Being quite fond of the view that the villa had over the entire island, Napoleon quickly sought to gain possession of it and within a few days he was able to convince Balcombe to let him live there. Napoleon would never get dressed until four in the afternoon, after which he would spend much of his time walking through the gardens in the villa, where he met and became good friends with Mr. Balcombe’s daughters, and this would lead to him becoming good friends with the entire family. Napoleon’s health was beginning to deteriorate as well, causing him to become nauseous from the smallest of causes. Any sudden change of air would lead to him getting a cold, and he commented on eating and drinking that “If I go the least beyond my mark my stomach instantly revolts”[3]. His body was becoming increasingly more vulnerable and he lacked the bravado and strength he carried through much of his life.
On December 10th 1815, Napoleon was moved to Longwood. The house that he was confined to was nothing special; the windows and beds had no curtains lining them, and the furniture was described as “mean and scanty”[4]. The English Ministers who had exiled Napoleon had given instructions regarding the treatment of him on St. Helena. An English officer was required to dine with him at his table, and to accompany him on all his rides, however these instructions were rarely followed through, especially since Napoleon refused to ride under such conditions. The new Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe, arrived at St. Helena on April 14th 1816. He and Napoleon would quarrel with each other, as Napoleon constantly accused Lowe of poor living conditions. The first time the two met, Napoleon said that the Governor was “hideous, and had a most ugly countenance”[5]. From then on, the relationship between the two grew insufferable for the both of them. Napoleon argued that the conduct with which the Allies acted towards him was disgraceful, and that he should be treated as their equal, instead of being forced to die a lingering, demeaning death. A few months later, Lowe issued a proclamation forbidding anyone on the island from sending or receiving letters to Napoleon. Not soon after the Declaration of the Allies authorised the detention of Napoleon as a prisoner of war and a disturber of the peace of Europe.
St. Helena was regularly visited by East India ships on their return voyages, and there were always individuals interested in meeting the former Emperor. Napoleon often complained about these visitors, saying that the curiosity of these strangers acted as an annoyance[6]. Napoleon was also annoyed by his inability to come to terms with the fact that he was a prisoner on this island. He refused to submit to any of the regulations bestowed upon him. He even kept loaded pistols with him and threatened to shoot anyone who would intrude on his privacy[7]. In the middle of 1818, the disease that had followed Napoleon for the last few years began to take its toll, and Napoleon’s health grew worse. The Governor insisted that the physician who was looking after Napoleon at the time, return with updates on the Emperor’s health, however Napoleon, still grasping at the delusional thought of rebelling and becoming Emperor once more, pleaded to the physician to keep his mouth shut. Time went on, with Napoleon becoming weaker over the next few years. Eventually the physician O’Meara, who had looked after Napoleon since he had arrived on the island, was forced to leave. Napoleon complained greatly about this, and acted intolerably towards his new physician.
By the end of 1820, Napoleon walked with great difficulty. His legs swelled, the pains in his back and sides had increased and nausea, profuse sweats, loss of appetite, and frequent fainting all became regular[8]. On January 22nd 1821, Napoleon attempted to ride a few miles around Longwood, however he was so weak it exhausted him entirely. Napoleon now kept to his study exclusively, and never left. The last time he was seen outside of his study was March 17th, 1821. A comet was reported sighted a few days later, and this gave insight into Napoleon’s decaying mind. He excitedly remarked how a comet was the precursor of the death of Caesar, and that he too shall soon be on his way[9]. Still, he became even more agitated. Napoleon passed the nights unable to sleep and talking to himself. He could be heard yelling, “Ah! Victory is declaring itself! Rush forward! Press the charge! They are ours!”[10] The last time Napoleon spoke clearly was May 3rd, when he told the doctors surrounding him that he was going to die. Napoleon spent the next few days barely speaking, stringing together broken sentences. His movements became convulsive, occasionally accompanied by a loud shriek. He passed away the evening of May 5th, just before six in the evening. The autopsy took place shortly after, and it’s said that one half of his mouth was forever contracted into a bitter smile. It was decided that he died of stomach cancer, just like his father and two sisters. Napoleon was buried, against his final wishes, on the island of St. Helena, in a nameless tomb. In 1840, Napoleon’s remains were transported back to France, and they now rest in the crypt under the dome at Les Invalides.
[1] St. Helena is an island located in the Atlantic Ocean, almost 2000km off the west coast of Africa.
[2]Fauvelet De Bourrienne, Louis. Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1891. Print. P. 1173
[3]Ibid. P. 1177
[4] Ibid. P. 1178
[5]Ibid. P. 1181
[6]Ibid. P. 1189
[7] Ibid. P. 1190
[8]Ibid. P. 1203
[9]Ibid. P. 1205
[10]Ibid. P. 1209
On December 10th 1815, Napoleon was moved to Longwood. The house that he was confined to was nothing special; the windows and beds had no curtains lining them, and the furniture was described as “mean and scanty”[4]. The English Ministers who had exiled Napoleon had given instructions regarding the treatment of him on St. Helena. An English officer was required to dine with him at his table, and to accompany him on all his rides, however these instructions were rarely followed through, especially since Napoleon refused to ride under such conditions. The new Governor, Sir Hudson Lowe, arrived at St. Helena on April 14th 1816. He and Napoleon would quarrel with each other, as Napoleon constantly accused Lowe of poor living conditions. The first time the two met, Napoleon said that the Governor was “hideous, and had a most ugly countenance”[5]. From then on, the relationship between the two grew insufferable for the both of them. Napoleon argued that the conduct with which the Allies acted towards him was disgraceful, and that he should be treated as their equal, instead of being forced to die a lingering, demeaning death. A few months later, Lowe issued a proclamation forbidding anyone on the island from sending or receiving letters to Napoleon. Not soon after the Declaration of the Allies authorised the detention of Napoleon as a prisoner of war and a disturber of the peace of Europe.
St. Helena was regularly visited by East India ships on their return voyages, and there were always individuals interested in meeting the former Emperor. Napoleon often complained about these visitors, saying that the curiosity of these strangers acted as an annoyance[6]. Napoleon was also annoyed by his inability to come to terms with the fact that he was a prisoner on this island. He refused to submit to any of the regulations bestowed upon him. He even kept loaded pistols with him and threatened to shoot anyone who would intrude on his privacy[7]. In the middle of 1818, the disease that had followed Napoleon for the last few years began to take its toll, and Napoleon’s health grew worse. The Governor insisted that the physician who was looking after Napoleon at the time, return with updates on the Emperor’s health, however Napoleon, still grasping at the delusional thought of rebelling and becoming Emperor once more, pleaded to the physician to keep his mouth shut. Time went on, with Napoleon becoming weaker over the next few years. Eventually the physician O’Meara, who had looked after Napoleon since he had arrived on the island, was forced to leave. Napoleon complained greatly about this, and acted intolerably towards his new physician.
By the end of 1820, Napoleon walked with great difficulty. His legs swelled, the pains in his back and sides had increased and nausea, profuse sweats, loss of appetite, and frequent fainting all became regular[8]. On January 22nd 1821, Napoleon attempted to ride a few miles around Longwood, however he was so weak it exhausted him entirely. Napoleon now kept to his study exclusively, and never left. The last time he was seen outside of his study was March 17th, 1821. A comet was reported sighted a few days later, and this gave insight into Napoleon’s decaying mind. He excitedly remarked how a comet was the precursor of the death of Caesar, and that he too shall soon be on his way[9]. Still, he became even more agitated. Napoleon passed the nights unable to sleep and talking to himself. He could be heard yelling, “Ah! Victory is declaring itself! Rush forward! Press the charge! They are ours!”[10] The last time Napoleon spoke clearly was May 3rd, when he told the doctors surrounding him that he was going to die. Napoleon spent the next few days barely speaking, stringing together broken sentences. His movements became convulsive, occasionally accompanied by a loud shriek. He passed away the evening of May 5th, just before six in the evening. The autopsy took place shortly after, and it’s said that one half of his mouth was forever contracted into a bitter smile. It was decided that he died of stomach cancer, just like his father and two sisters. Napoleon was buried, against his final wishes, on the island of St. Helena, in a nameless tomb. In 1840, Napoleon’s remains were transported back to France, and they now rest in the crypt under the dome at Les Invalides.
[1] St. Helena is an island located in the Atlantic Ocean, almost 2000km off the west coast of Africa.
[2]Fauvelet De Bourrienne, Louis. Memoirs of Napoleon Bonaparte. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1891. Print. P. 1173
[3]Ibid. P. 1177
[4] Ibid. P. 1178
[5]Ibid. P. 1181
[6]Ibid. P. 1189
[7] Ibid. P. 1190
[8]Ibid. P. 1203
[9]Ibid. P. 1205
[10]Ibid. P. 1209