Anglo-Corsican Kingdom facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kingdom of Corsica
Regno di Corsica
Regnu di Corsica |
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| 1794–1796 | |||||||||
 Flaga
 Coat of arms
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Motto: Amici e non di ventura
(English: Friends, and not by mere accident) |
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Anthem: Dio vi Salvi Regina
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1794 map of the "Island and Kingdom of Corsica"
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| Status | Personal union with Great Britain | ||||||||
| Capital | Corte (until 1795) Bastia (from 1795) 42°10′22.555″N 9°7′47.582″E / 42.17293194°N 9.12988389°E |
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| Common languages | Italian, Corsican | ||||||||
| Religion | Roman Catholicism | ||||||||
| Government | Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy | ||||||||
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• Kingb
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George III | ||||||||
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• Viceroy
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Sir Gilbert Elliot, 4th Baronet | ||||||||
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• President of the Council of State
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Count Carlo Andrea Pozzo di Borgo | ||||||||
| Legislature | Parliament | ||||||||
| Historical era | Age of Enlightenment | ||||||||
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• Established
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15−19 June 1794 | ||||||||
| 17 June − 10 August 1794 | |||||||||
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• Exile of Paoli
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October 1795 | ||||||||
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• British evacuation
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11 October 1796 | ||||||||
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• Conquered
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19 October 1796 | ||||||||
| Currency | soldi | ||||||||
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| Today part of | France | ||||||||
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a The flag of the kingdom was the Corsican Moor's head united with the British royal arms.
b Represented by a viceroy. |
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The Anglo-Corsican Kingdom was a special country that existed for a short time on the island of Corsica. It was connected to Great Britain and lasted only two years, from 1794 to 1796. This happened during a big conflict called the French Revolutionary Wars. It was also known as the Kingdom of Corsica.
Contents
Corsica's Fight for Freedom
Corsica had been part of France for only about 20 years when the French Revolution began. A famous Corsican leader named Pasquale Paoli had been sent away from Corsica earlier. But in 1789, he was invited to Paris and celebrated as a hero. He was even sent back to Corsica as a high-ranking general.
Paoli's Plan for Corsica
However, Paoli disagreed with the French revolutionaries, especially after they removed their king. He decided to side with those who supported the monarchy. The French government accused him of being a traitor. So, in 1793, Paoli called a special meeting in Corte. At this meeting, Corsica officially declared itself separate from France.
Paoli then asked the British government for help. Britain was fighting against revolutionary France at the time. He suggested that Corsica could become an independent kingdom, much like Ireland, but under the British king. For Britain, this was a great chance to get a naval base in the Mediterranean Sea.
A New Kingdom is Born
In 1794, Britain sent a fleet of ships to Corsica, led by Admiral Samuel Hood. During the fighting to capture the town of Calvi, a young captain named Horatio Nelson lost sight in his right eye. Thanks to Admiral Hood's fleet and Paoli's help, Corsica became part of the lands ruled by King George III.
How the Kingdom Was Run
The new kingdom had a democratic system. It had a viceroy named Sir Gilbert Elliot, who represented the King. There was also a Parliament, where people were elected, and a Council that managed the kingdom's daily business. Carlo Andrea Pozzo di Borgo was a key leader in this Council.
Challenges and Changes
The relationship between Paoli and the British was not always smooth. They often disagreed about who had the final say. Sir Gilbert, the viceroy, was loyal to the British King, while Paoli wanted Corsica to be more independent. The viceroy also had the power to stop new laws.
There was also a difference between the old capital, Corte, which was inland, and Bastia on the coast. Sir Gilbert moved the capital to Bastia in 1795. Bastia was a center for those who supported France and the Corsican monarchy.
The End of the Kingdom
When Spain joined the war on France's side, Britain realized it was hard to keep control of Corsica. So, by October 1796, the British forces left the island. King George III asked Paoli to step down and return to Britain, offering him a pension. Paoli had no other choice and left Corsica with the British.
On October 19, 1796, the French took back Bastia. Corsica then became two French regions, called départements.
Viceroy
- Sir Gilbert Elliot, 4th Baronet (who later became the 1st Earl of Minto)
See Also
- Pasquale Paoli
- Corsican Republic
- Kingdom of Corsica (1736)
