Napoleonic Wars

Upstart Joined: 06 Jun 2011 Posts: 7

I think I have a problem.

I wanted the setting of my book to be in Sussex- around the South Downs- because it's an area I'm somewhat familiar with and am fond of.

I haven't solidly chosen a year for the setting, figuring it wouldn't be too important yet, but had roughly chosen sometime between 1803 and 1806. But now I've realized that it is probably VERY important, given the location the story is taking place.

From just the bit of research I've done this afternoon, those years seem to be at the peak of the threat of invasion by Napoleon, and my hero's estate is within the area that was being built up with new defenses.

It's summer and my hero is playing host to a houseful of guests, including the heroine. And now I'm wondering- who in their right mind would have gone there? Did life go on as usual in that area of the country? Or were people going elsewhere?

I suppose the easiest thing to do would be for him to move house... just forget about setting the story there and give him a house in some other part of the country. Or I could bump everything forward by ten years when the threat of invasion was over.

But lets say I want to keep them there, would a house party be out of the question?

Perhaps it won't be so bad, because he is somewhat west of those main areas, and not on the way to London, if Napoleon did attack where they had anticipated.

Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:16 pm Post subject:

I think it might be sort of cool to leave the setting as is and have the threat of invasion play into the story. False rumors could send ladies swooning and men taking up weapons.

The fear of a naval invasion was pretty much blown away after Trafalgar, so you might want to pick one of the earlier years.
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Posted: Mon Jun 20, 2011 11:29 pm Post subject:

Candice is right - it could be a nice plot device with ladies worrying and swooning, and the hero there to comfort them, of course!

My area of expertise during that time is more around the Kent area (ahem, Shorncliffe Embarassed

) and the actual military preparations there, but from what I know, life went on pretty much as usual.

Militia and volunteer regiments were formed (sometimes much to the despair of the professional military commanders), Martello towers and other fortifications were built, Navy ships were on constant patrol and blockading French harbours, but then it was pretty much business as usual. People placed great trust in the Navy to warn them of any apporaching enemy and to stop any invasion force. This wasn't like the Blitz where the enemy could be across the channel within half an hour, even if Napoleon was toying with the idea of hot-air balloons at some point...

I would think that unless your hero's estate is located right beside a military installation, on the coast facing a prime landing spot or along the main route to London, the risk would not have been that great. The increased military presence also provided some entertainment- after all, girls liked read coats... Besides, you could always pass off the visit to your hero's country estate as a spot of defiance in the face of the enemy ("Boney won't stop us having fun!").
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I have the honour to be etc.
Wellies

"Next to a battle lost, the greatest misery is a battle gained." -- The Duke of Wellington

Upstart Joined: 06 Jun 2011 Posts: 7

Yes, I feel it could add something interesting to the plot. My fear was that people would have avoided the area, but if that's not the case, then I'm going to embrace it.

I'm on my way over to a university library's website to see what I can find on the time period and the war. Thinking about ways the war could impact my story has raised a few questions that I need to answer, if only for myself.

And Wellies, why the Embarassed

about Shorncliffe? I'm American, so perhaps its something I don't get? I'm just curious...

I just googled Shorncliffe, and I see they built a redoubt there. Eastbourne got one as well, which is where my story is going to be set. Or at least, somewhere around Eastbourne/Pevensey I'm liking the idea of tying in the fact that the Normans landed at Pevensey... so maybe Napoleon will too! Or something along those lines.

Posted: Tue Jun 21, 2011 10:53 pm Post subject:

Upstart Joined: 06 Jun 2011 Posts: 7