Since the Norman conquest of Britain by William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy in 1066, the histories of Britain and France had been inevitably intertwined. Most of the wars throughout the past millennium had included the involvement of the French and English, whether as enemies or allies. When they were fighting each other, they were the bitterest of enemies. Examples of this include the Hundred Years War, wherein England fought to conquer all of mainland France. The war lasted over a century, with a final result that England lost most of it's continental possessions. In 1803, France, under Napoleon Bonaparte plotted to invade England. Napoleon allied with Spain to take control of the seas, but was defeated at Trafalgar by Lord Nelson in October of 1805 (World History Encyclopaedia, pg 162). Napoleon continued to conquer Europe and controlled Portugal in 1807. The French looked unbeatable by 1812, but in 1814 the empire collapsed and Napoleon was exiled to Elba.…
