the Battle of Trafalgar
/ðə ˌbætl əv trəˈfælɡə(r)/
/ðə ˌbætl əv trəˈfælɡər/
- an important sea battle (1805) in which the English, commanded by Lord Nelson, defeated both the French and the Spanish. It was fought near Cape Trafalgar, in south-west Spain, during the Napoleonic Wars. During the battle Nelson was badly wounded on his ship, HMS Victory. As he lay dying he made the famous request to one of his senior officers: 'Kiss me, Hardy’. The victory established Britain as the world's leading power at sea for many years. see also England expects