Napoleonic Timeline – (with special reference to the King’s German Legion and Bexhill)
1744 France declares war on England
1748 Peace with France—Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle
1756 War with France
1762 England declares war on Spain
1763 Peace treaty with France and Spain —Treaty of Paris
1775 War with America (backed by France & Spain)
1778 War with France
1779 War with Spain
1789 French Revolution
1793 War with France (Louis XVI executed)
1794 Army camp established on Bexhill Down
1796 War with Spain
1798 Irish Rebellion Barracks built in Bexhill
1802 Peace with France—Treaty of Amiens
1803 War with France, Hanover invaded in May
1804 Napoleon made Emperor of France.
King’s German Legion arrives in Bexhill, in August
Martello Towers built
1805 Napoleon prepares to invade England
Battle of Trafalgar, 21st October – French and Spanish fleets defeated
King’s German Legion soldier murdered at Little Common
1807 King’s German Legion at siege of Copenhagen
1808 The Peninsular War in Spain
1809 King’s German Legion in Corunna Campaign in Spain
1810 King George III pronounced incurably insane.
King’s German Legion attempt to excavate the wreck of the Amsterdam
1811 George, Prince of Wales, made Prince Regent
1812 King’s German Legion officers granted permanent rank in the British Army.
Edmund Wheatley, author of the “Wheatley Diary”, joins the King’s German Legion, The “Wheatley Diary” was a journal and sketch book of this young English officer in the King’s German Legion – a first-hand account of the war against Napoleon
1813 Sophia Brazier’s paternity suit against an officer of the KGL
1814 Napoleon defeated and exiled to the Isle of Elba
The King’s German Legion leaves Bexhill on August 17th
1815 Napoleon escapes from Elba The Battle of Waterloo, June 18th.
Control of the King’s German Legion transferred to the Kingdom of Hanover