The Myth of the Battle of Trafalgar

The Battle of Trafalgar came about almost by accident. The immediate cause of the engagement had nothing to do with grand strategy, it was Admiral Villeneuve's desire to forestall his replacement and save his career. By the time of the battle in late October, Britain was safe from any immediate threat of invasion. But at the time, these facts were not well understood, especially not by the general public. To them, it felt like the victory at Trafalgar had saved Britain.