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Portsmouth (nicknamed Pompey) is a city on the south coast of Hampshire, England. It is separated from the Isle of Wight by the Solent. With an excellent harbour, it has long been the most important naval base in Britain.
Hornblower starts his career there, embarking on the HMS Justinian.
While conducting a press gang there from the Lamb Inn he challenged John Simpson to a duel as he was accused of cheating at whist.
He meets his first wife, Maria, there while lodging with her mother in Highbury St, while waiting for the Peace of Amiens to end.
The Lamb Inn[]
John Simpson and Hornblower as leaders of a press gang, stopped at the Lamb Inn, for some beer and gin. They were joined by Lieutenant Chalk and Midshipman Caldwell of HMS Goliath. During a game of whist, Simpson accused Hornblower of cheating, after which, Hornblower challenged Simpson to a duel.
Long Rooms[]
A gambling establishment frequented by Army and Navy officers with money to spare. It was run by the Marquis de Sainte-Croix. It was also patronized by well-to-do civilians, notably Truelove and Wilson.
During Horatio Hornblower's unemployment during the Peace of Amiens, he was paid half a guinea a week to play whist from noon to two in the the morning with any three that needed a fourth. His winnings varied, he was down to within a single rubber's loss when he won £45 in one night.
Thomas à Beckett Church[]
Hornblower and Maria were married in this church, now Portsmouth Cathedral. After the ceremony, Bush lined both sides of the exit with hands from Hotspur to honour Hornblower by raising swords forming an archway for the couple to walk to the post-chaise. After the Hornblowers entered the carriage, the "Hotspurs" pulled the post-chaise to The George for their reception.
The George[]
A historical hotel in the High Street which was mentioned numerous times in the Hornblower saga. It was damaged beyond repair during WWII, so it was demolished. Today George Court, a block of flats, sits in its place.
The parties meet there before the duel, Hornblower and Maria hold their wedding reception there. During their reception, Hornblower meets Admiral Cornwallis, in charge of the blockade fleet at Brest, who informs Hornblower that HMS Hotspur is under Cornwallis' command and gives him instructions. After the meeting, Cornwallis attends Hornblower's reception and toasts the newlyweds.
Keppel's Head[]
The Keppel's Head is an historic hotel built in 1779 just a few hundred feet from the Portsmouth dockyard. It would have served many crew members of the ships at anchor there.
Lieutenant Bush passed by the hotel after drawing his half pay just before he met with Hornblower for the first time since Hornblower took command of HMS Retribution in the Jamaica Station and hostilities with France ended shortly after.
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