Tag Archives: Royal Navy

Royal Navy Punishments in the 18th Century

“…naval authorities sought to attain social control by normalizing flogging as a form of deterrent punishment….[captains] were permitted to flog at their own discretion.”1 Shipboard punishments were inflicted by captains who had absolute authority. Only a sentence of capital punishment … Continue reading

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Thirteen Ships and Thirty-six Admirals: The Royal Navy, 2022

“Rule, Britannia! Britannia rule the waves:“Britons never will be slaves.”1 The Royal Navy guaranteed British independence for centuries. The last successful invasion of Britain was in 1688 by the Dutch, who’d made sure they got a good reception when they … Continue reading

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Traditional forms of punishment: Britain* 1700-1900

Traditionally, British judges sentencing criminals had five principal options: capital punishment, corporal punishment, exile, imprisonment and torture. Judges sentencing criminals to ‘savage’ sentences were using proportionate and appropriate punishments according to the expectations of the time. The sentences were anticipated … Continue reading

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A lad who had to grow up fast

Fred Rouse, was a typical Cockney lad. Stroppy at times, a lean, tall, gangling boy. He and my older brother became good friends when they both started senior school together, Queens Head Street School, Islington aged eleven. Over the next … Continue reading

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Naval Intelligence*: the Royal Navy, 1940

At the end of the campaign, the Commander-in-Chief of the Home Fleet complained that “it is most galling that the enemy should know just where our ships…always are, whereas we generally learn where his major forces are when they sink … Continue reading

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