#battle-of-trafalgar

#battle-of-trafalgar

The Union flag that led Nelson's fleet at the Battle of Trafalgar could be bought by a UK museum after an export bar was imposed following its sale at auction. The Union Flag flew from the Royal Sovereign, the ship that led the British charge at the Battle of Trafalgar, and still features burn marks and splinters inflicted during the battle. It was recently put up for sale and sold for £450,000.

Nelson's flagship, Victory, looms larger than life at the centre of the composition, symbolising British naval supremacy rather than the precise realities of combat. Across its rigging, the signal flags spell out the final three letters of "duty", a deliberate nod both to Nelson's immortal command - "England expects every man to do his duty" - and his dying words: "Thank God I have done my duty."

This Union flag flew from the Royal Sovereign at the Battle of Trafalgar and is set for sale at £450,000, marking its second time on the market.