Prisoners of War in Britain 1756 to 1815 / A record of their lives, their romance and their sufferings

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

60321

Title

Prisoners of War in Britain 1756 to 1815 / A record of their lives, their romance and their sufferings

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Francis Abell's historical record vindicates Britain against charges of inhumanity toward French prisoners of war (1756–1815). Through extensive research, Abell rescues this forgotten chapter of national history, detailing the lives, romances, and sufferings of thousands held in prisons, hulks, and on parole across England, Scotland, and Wales.

Summary up to 500 words

In *Prisoners of War in Britain 1756 to 1815*, Francis Abell presents a comprehensive vindication of the British treatment of French captives during the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. While historical memory of this era has largely faded, Abell argues that the sojourn of thousands of prisoners was a vital, yet often overlooked, feature of national life. His primary objective is to refute the persistent charge that Britain treated its captives with exceptional inhumanity, a claim he believes stems from a lack of detailed historical record. The book details the grim realities of confinement, particularly on prison hulks like the *Crown* and *Diamond*. Prisoners endured foul air, brutal medical treatment, and strict surveillance. Despite these hardships, Abell highlights the resilience and ingenuity of the captives. They developed complex social structures, engaging in theatrical performances, self-governance, and even privateering. The narrative focuses extensively on officers on parole, who were granted liberty to walk within a mile of their towns but faced rigorous restrictions on movement and correspondence. Abell exposes the pervasive system of spying and rewards offered for recapturing escapees or arresting parole violators, which incentivized local residents to trap foreigners. A significant portion of the work is dedicated to the story of Tom Souville, a famous escaper who utilized local knowledge and smuggling networks to return to France. Abell illustrates the economic realities of captivity, noting that money allowances were often insufficient for the high cost of living in England, leading to necessary adjustments. The text preserves local traditions and anecdotes, correcting the historical record to show that while some prisoners were insubordinate, the British government generally adhered to the laws of war. Abell concludes that the British treatment was characterized by a humanity that contradicts the prevailing myth of exceptional cruelty, rescuing this interesting chapter of national history from oblivion.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• History