HMS VICTORY was Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar, 1805. (From a Nicholas Pocock painting).
Trafalgar Day is the celebration of the victory won by the Royal Navy, commanded by Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson over the combined French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. The formation of the Navy League in 1894 gave added impetus to the movement to recognise Nelson's legacy, and grand celebrations were held in Trafalgar Square on Trafalgar Day, 1896.[1] It was widely commemorated by parades, dinners and other events throughout much of the British Empire in the 19th century and early 20th century. It is still widely celebrated in navies of the Commonwealth of Nations.
Last night's dinner, in keeping with tradition, featured a Spanish starter, a French main course and an English sweet (it is a tradition at Trafalgar dinners to serve a dish from each of the three Countries involved in the Battle of Trafalgar).
We began with a Spanish ceviche of fresh tuna, tomato and coriander. This is a very refreshing cocktail that featured tuna pickled in lemon juice.
Our French main course featured confit of duck with a lentil casoulet and Parisienne potatoes (or canon balls as I prefer to call them!)
For the sweet, we served a classic bread and butter pudding with a coffee bean custard.
bon Appetite
I miss Pembroke. My new (anonymous) Oxford college can't begin to compete on the food front.
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