Edward Codrington, British Admiral and politician, Commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, a major Philhellene

 

Edward Codrington (1770 – 1851), was a British Admiral and politician, commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, commander of the Allied fleet in the naval battle of Navarino and an important Philhellene.

He was born in Dodington and was the youngest of four children in his family. His father was the landowner Edward Codrington the Elder (1736 – 1775), and his grandfather was William Codrington, 1st Baronet of Dodington (+1738)^[1]. His mother was Rebecca Lestourgeon (1736 – 1770), who died during childbirth^[2].

The Codrington family owned vast land areas. At the same time, however, it had an important military, political, but also cultural tradition. The patriarch of the family, John Codrington, distinguished himself in 1415 in the victorious battle for the English in Agincourt, as the standard-bearer of the English King Henry V^[3]. His descendant Christopher Codrington (1668 – 1710), uncle of Admiral Edward Codrington, was a General, governor of Guadeloupe and the Barbados in 1703 – 1710, and a politician. He was also a benefactor of the Oxford University, where he founded the Codrington Library at All Souls College, which is administratively affiliated with the Oxford University^[4]. Also, Christopher Bethell Codrington, the eldest brother of Admiral Codrington, was a member of the British Parliament^[5].

ΟEdward Codrington never met his mother and was orphaned as a child. Thus, the responsibility for raising him and his brothers, was entrusted to their paternal uncle Christopher Bethell, thanks to whom they received the best possible education. With his older brothers Christopher Bethell Codrington and William John Codrington, Edward Codrington attended Harrow College^[6]. A little later, however, he decided not to continue his education. In 1783, at the age of just 13, he enlisted in the British Royal Navy as a cadet officer, first stationed on the frigate “HMS Augusta’’^[7].

As a young cadet officer, Codrington served in the East Coast Patrol Squadron around the United States, in the British Mediterranean Fleet and on ships of the British Metropolitan Fleet. In 1788 he received the rank of midshipman^[8].

On May 28, 1793, he was promoted to lieutenant and placed as a signal officer in the frigate “HMS Queen Charlotte”, flagship of the English Channel Fleet, with Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl of Howe (1726-1799) as commander ^[9]. From this position, on June 1, 1794, he took part in the victorious for the British 4th battle of Ushant against the French^[10]. Codrington’s action in this naval battle was appreciated and led on October 7, 1794, to his promotion to lieutenant commander, to follow on April 6, 1795, his promotion to commander^[11].

Commander Codrington was appointed captain of the ‘’HMS Babet’’ and fought in the victorious British naval battle of Groix on June 23, 1795^[12]. There he was again distinguished for his bravery and commander’s skills, and was rewarded with his appointment as captain of the frigate “HMS Druid” in July 1796^[13].

As captain of the frigate ‘’HMS Druid’’, Codrington undertook patrol missions in the English Channel and the Portuguese coast until January 1797^[14]. On one of these missions, on January 7, 1797, in collaboration with the frigates “HMS Doris” and “HMS Unicorn”, he captured the French frigate “Ville de l’Orient” in the English Channel, carrying 400 hussars who were assigned the mission to join the Irish revolutionaries^[15].

After the successful completion of this mission, he was transferred to land positions of the British Royal Navy, and remained there until May 1802. During this period he sought his transfer to the British Merchant Navy, but to no avail^[16].

Meanwhile, as early as the end of 1797, Codrington and his siblings William John Codrington and Caroline Codrington, inherited the estate of their uncle Christopher Bethell. This estate included a plantation in Antigua^[17].

After the Peace of Amiens on May 27, 1802, Codrington was appointed captain of the ship of the line ‘‘HMS Orion’’^[18]. In December 1802 he married Jane Hall, daughter of a British family in Kingston, Jamaica, with whom he had 3 sons. General William John Codrington (1804 – 1884), Naval Cadet Edward Codrington (1805-1822) and Admiral Henry John Codrington (1808 – 1877)^[19].

In the spring of 1805, the ship of the line “HMS Orion” joined the British Fleet tasked with blocking the port of Cadiz^[20]. The commander of the fleet was the great and emblematic Admiral Horatio Nelson and Codrington was his most direct collaborator^[21].

During the Battle of Trafalgar, which took place on October 21, 1805 and ended victoriously for the British, Codrington captured the French ship “Swiftsure”^[22].He then tried to capture the Spanish flagship “Principe de Asturias”, without success^[23]. Shortly afterwards, he managed to force the French ship “Intrepide”, the only ship of the Northern Squadron of the Franco-Spanish Fleet that had escaped intact, to surrender, further to continuous shelling^[24].

Following the Battle of Trafalgar, the British insurance company Lloyd’s offered as a gift, a commemorative sword to the captains of the ships that took part in it, as well as 10 GB pounds to the junior officers^[25]. Codrington refused to accept the sword, arguing that in addition to officers, ordinary sailors, who fought valiantly, should also receive money^[26].

In 1808, Codrington collaborated with the Spaniards against the French in the Mediterranean. During this period he commanded a squadron, which destroyed French ships and carried out raids on the French coast^[27]. Then, from July to December 1809, he took part in Walcheren’s operation in the Netherlands, which aimed to open another front against the French and to relieve the Austrians fighting against the French army on land^[28]. This operation failed and the British, including Codrington, returned home with significant losses^[29].

From May to June 1811, Codrington took command of a squadron of the British Mediterranean Fleet. During this time he was in charge of reinforcing Tarragona, which was besieged by the army of French General Louis-Gabriel Suchet^[30]. Codrington was convinced that the Marquis of Campo Verde (and military commander of Tarragona), was incapable of defending the area. After studying the situation, Codrington helped British officer Charles William Doyle to plan the support of the besieged^[31].

According to Codrington’s plan and actions, Tarragona was reinforced with 6,300 Spanish infantry and 291 gunners. At the same time, his squadron supported the besieged by carrying troops and ammunition, but also by carrying out night bombardments against French positions^[32].

With the occupation of Tarragona by the French on June 29, 1811, despite heavy enemy fire, Codrington helped save more than 600 people, while he personally took care of the reunification of families who had been separated during the evacuation of the city^[33].

After leaving Tarragona, Codrington undertook a series of political initiatives to prevent the disbandment of the Catalan Militia which was planned by Spanish General Luis Roberto de Lacy^[34].

From 1814 to 1815, Codrington, who had meanwhile been promoted to commodore, served in the North American and West Indian Squadron of the British Royal Navy as captain of the HMS Tonnant, under the command of Admiral Alexander Inglis Cochrane^[35] (uncle of the Philhellene and later commander of the Greek fleet in 1827, Thomas Cochrane). From there, starting in Bermuda^[36], he participated in the American-British War of 1812, and took part in operations against Washington, Baltimore and New Orleans^[37]. His skills as a commander and commendable services, contributed to his promotion to rear admiral on June 4, 1814. Then, in 1815, the British Government honored him with the Medal of the Knight Brigadier General of the Bath^[38].

On July 10, 1821, in recognition of his long tenure and service, the British Government promoted Codrington to Vice Admiral and honored him with the Golden Military Cross^[39], while in February 1822, the Royal Society honored him with the title of Partner^[40].

This period was extremely critical for Codrington. The beginning of the Greek Revolution in 1821 coincided approximately with the tragic loss of Edward Codrington, his son and cadet officer of the frigate “HMS Cambrian”. Young Codrington drowned when his ship encountered bad weather near Hydra in November 1822. Already from this period Codrington develops a strong interest on the evolutions n Greece and progressively, Philhellenic feelings^[41].

From 1822 to 1826 he served in staff services in Great Britain. During this period he was among the subscribers of the Philhellenic Committee of London, founded in 1823, and was one of the contributors of the fundraisers carried out by the Philhellenic Committee of London.Moreover, as of the summer of 1826, he had correspondence with the commander of the Greek Army, General Richard Church, the commander of the Greek Navy, Admiral Thomas Cochrane, 10th Earl of Dundonald and Captain Frank Abney Hastings, commander of the “Karteria” first steam-powered warship in Greece^[42]. This correspondence was crucial for the cultivation of the great Admiral Codrington’s Philhellenism. At the same time, however, he had the opportunity to study and understand what was happening in Greece, the dynamics of developments, the balances of power, the geostrategic parameters of the region, the role of the Turks and the Egyptians and the psychology of the protagonists of the Revolution. This knowledge proved to be particularly useful, both for him as a soldier and for the future of the Greek war for independence

After April 1826, the Exodus of Missolonghi decisively shocked Europe and sparked the most critical and intensive phase of the international Philhellenic movement. Public opinion and the press saw that the Greek Revolution was extinguished and demanded a dynamic intervention in favour of the Greeks.

Under this pressure and a number of other factors, the Great Powers of the time (Great Britain, France and Russia) decided to intervene. This move served Russia, which sought to weaken the Ottoman Empire and reduce its territories, while at the same time establishing an independent Orthodox Christian state in which it could exert influence. The British and the French were under increasing pressure from the pro-Greek movements to help fellow Europeans and liberate the cradle of Western civilization. At the same time, the violence of the Turks, the massacres of the Greek population in Chios, Kassos, Psara, Missolonghi, etc., and finally the policy of “scorched earth”, violent Islamization and mass transfer of the Greek population to Africa, implemented by Ibrahim, could not be ignored by the civilized West. When George Canning, the great Philhellene, became Prime Minister of Great Britain, he led the three Great Powers on his own initiative to the signing of the Treaty of London on July 6, 1827.

It is recalled that Great Britain had already signed the St. Petersburg Protocol in 1826 with Russia, and that it was now involving the French with the aim of controlling Russia to some extent^[43]. The Treaty demanded an immediate armistice from the Gate and the creation of an autonomous Greece, subject to the Sultan.

At the same time, the three powers agreed to send their fleets to Greece, with a mandate to enforce the Treaty of London.

Admiral Codrington had been appointed commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet since December 1826 and sailed to Malta on 1 February 1827, aboard the flagship “HMS Asia”^[44]. As commander of the British Mediterranean Fleet, his preliminary mission was to follow the policy of his predecessor, Admiral Harry Burrard-Neale, to protect British nationals and the Ionian Islands, which were part of the British Empire^[45].At the same time, he continued to correspond with Church, Cochrane, Hastings, and other Greek dignitaries, acting in some way as a liaison between the Greeks and the British government^[46].

On June 19, 1827, following a memorandum and request from Stratford Canning, British Ambassador to Constantinople and a relative of George Canning, the British Mediterranean Fleet sailed from Malta and arrived in Greece in early July on a mission to enforce the Treaty of London^[47].

This treaty provided for the conclusion of a peace agreement between Greeks and Turks, with the basic condition of the immediate end of hostilities. However, there was also a secret, extremely important, article, according to which, if the Turkish side did not respond or reject mediation, the Great Powers would recognize Greek Independence and take all necessary measures to end the conflict, ideally without taking military action^[48]. Of course, given that the Ottoman Empire was clearly and categorically contrary to the terms of the Treaty, while it was implementing methodically a plan for the systematic extermination of the Greek population, this term essentially provided for the use of military means. That is why the three fleets were concentrated in the area.

More precisely, the secret protocol of the Treaty consisted of three articles, according to which the High Gate was offered a deadline of one month to accept the intervention of the three Powers. After the deadline, the three fleets were authorized to take any action they deemed necessary to enforce peace. According to the press, these actions were aimed to be part of a broad framework of “friendly relations” with the Ottoman Empire. In practice, however, from the moment the intransigence of the Turks and Ibrahim became known, they prescribed a large-scale military intervention.

Actually, the Treaty also instructed France to impose peace on land, essentially providing for the expulsion of Ibrahim’s forces. According to the Treaty of London, the new country that would emerge would be the “classical Greece”, which would include the Peloponnese, the Cyclades, Attica and part of Central Greece and Evia.

The content of the Treaty, including the secret article, were published in the Times of London on July 12, 1827^[49]. The entire Treaty was published in the “Independent Gazette of Greece” on August 6, 1827.

The great British politician and Prime Minister George Canning, to whom Greece owes its independence, had already made his decisions, and had given clear instructions to the great Admiral Codrington.

When George Canning, the main protagonist of the three countries’ reconciliation, passed away on August 8, 1827, Metternich and his allies in Europe celebrated, taking the dissolution of the alliance for granted. The Treaty, however, was firmly established^[50].

At the same time, Ibrahim Pasha in the Peloponnese and the Turks in Central Greece, insisted that the Revolution had been suppressed. They terrorized the inhabitants, destroyed villages and crops, forced the Greeks to submit to the Sultan, while thousands of citizens were arrested and methodically led as slaves to Egypt.

In the circles of the European Philhellenes, and in the European public opinion, it was now clear that the Turks intended to desert the Peloponnese from the Greeks and settle Egyptian Muslims there. At the same time, Sultan Mahmut II and the governor of Egypt, Mehmet Ali, the father of Ibrahim Pasha, planned a final attack against Hydra, which they considered to be the main feeder of the revolted Greeks^[51] and the last stronghold of the struggle. With these data, the descent of the allied fleet in Greece and the conflict with the Turks and the Egyptians, was inevitable.

Thus, on August 5, 1827, the British fleet, led by Codrington, and the French, led by De Rigny, arrived in Nafplio. There, they officially announced the Treaty of London to the Greek government. At the same time, they asked for the transfer of the state capital to Aegina, which was done^[52].

Admiral Codrington arrived in Navarino on September 12, 1827. There he met with Ibrahim Pasha, and explained to him the positions of the Great Powers. He then transferred his fleet to Zakynthos. A frigate remained in Navarino with a mission to patrol and monitor the movements of the Turkish-Egyptians.

The imposing Turkish-Egyptian fleet was deployed in the Gulf of Navarino, consisting of 88 ships with 2,180 cannons. In total there were 3 battleships, 17 frigates, 30 corvettes, 28 brigs, 5 schooners and 5 fireships,and in addition, 41 bulk carriers^[53]. The leader of the Turks was Tahir Bey and the ones of the Egyptians, Mustafa Bey and Moharrem Bey. Ibrahim saw that the Turkish-Egyptian fleet was superior in firepower, and considered that he could set a trap for the allies in Navarino. The Turkish-Egyptian fleet was numerically superior in cannons and at the same time it was supported by coast artillery^[54]. ΤThe fire of their gunners, however, proved in the course of the action, to miss to a large extend the target. On the contrary, the shots of the allies were very well targeted.

The facts, however, prove both the philhellenic sentiments of the great Admiral Codrington, as well as the nature of the mission which was assigned to him by the other great Philhellene George Canning. In theory, Codrington’s mission was to enforce a cease of hostilities, and a ceasefire on both sides. However, Codrington agreed to allow the British admiral and nephew of his former commander, Thomas Cochrane, to continue crucial military operations in the Gulf of Corinth. Thus the great Philhellene Hastings succeeded undisturbed to disband the entire Turkish fleet in the Gulf of Corinth. This victory was necessary for the progress of the operations for the liberation of mainland Greece. Codrington likewise allowed the Greek military to set up revolutionary strongholds in Epirus, and General Church to send an army against Turkish positions in Patras and in western mainland Greece.

Thus, it is clear that the Greeks owe to Admiral Codrington the integration of the territories of mainland Greece into the newly formed Greek state.

At the end of September 1827 the fleets of Great Britain and France, as well as the Russian fleet, which had just arrived, anchored outside Sfaktiria^[55].

When, on October 1 and 4, Ibrahim himself attempted to move with his fleet towards the besieged Patras, Codrington forced him to return to Navarino. The confrontation was now a matter of days.

It is worth noting that Ibrahim ignored the envoys of the Allied fleet, and their request to comply with the Treaty of London and to keep his promises of a cease of hostilities. In fact, Ibrahim was not convinced for the determination of the allies, and so when he was informed that Greek ships were attacking the Turkish coastal forts on the Corinthian Sea, he sent 49 warships to reinforce Patras and pursue the Greek fleet of Hastings.

According to the instructions from Cochrane, Hastings was operating in the area in collaboration with Church on land to liberate areas of mainland Greece. Codrington was outraged because Ibrahim had given his word of honour that he would not move any of his ships from Neokastro until he received instructions.

Then the great British admiral acted decisively and moved against the Turkish-Egyptian fleet. Just 4 British ships with a total of 170 cannons encountered ten times as many enemy ships in Araxos with 1,200 cannons. Codrington’s audacity was incredible. The flagship “Asia” launched a heavy artillery shelling against Ibrahim’s ships. Immediately the 49 enemy ships changed direction and returned to their base.

The 3 admirals held a meeting on October 6. Everyone wanted the action to be hastened, as they did not want the winter to find them in Navarino. During this period they also received a letter from Kolokotronis, informing them that Ibrahim’s men were committing genocide in Messinia of Peloponnese. On this occasion, they sent Colonel Peter Cradock to deliver an ultimatum to Ibrahim, so that to accept a ceasefire and the withdrawal of his troops. Ibrahim avoided meeting Cradock, so the admirals decided to enter the Gulf of Navarino in order to drive out the Turkish-Egyptian fleet that was there^[56]. Ibrahim knew that he could not face the Allied fleet on the high seas, and he had set a trap, aiming arrogantly at a great victory against the Allies. He had ordered his ships to form a semicircle inside the narrow gulf of Navarino, with the aim of establishing a significant firepower, in concert with the important coastal artillery.

In early October, Russian and French ships joined the British, and an allied fleet was formed, under the command of Admiral Codrington. But again the single fleet was lagging behind that of the enemy. The united allied fleet had 27 ships with 1,258 cannons (10 battleships, 10 frigates, 4 brigs and 3 schooners), with which it had to face the cannons of the enemy ships, but also those of the forts firing from the shore. The Allied Force consisted of 12 British ships, namely: “Asia” (flagship), “Genoa”, “Albion”, “Darmouth”, “Cabrian”, “Glasgow”, “Talbot”, “Rose”, “Mosquito”, “Brisk”, “Philomel” and “Hind”, 8 Russian, the: “Azov” (flagship), “Ezekiel”, “Cangut”, “Aleksandr”, “Provornoy”, “Elena”, “Konstantin” and “Kastor” and 7 French:“Sirene” (flagship), “Scipion”, “Trident”, “Breslaw”, “Armide”, “Daphne” and “Alkyone”^[57]. The commander of the allied forces was Codrington, who held the rank of Admiral, while De Rigny and Heyden were lieutenant admirals.

On October 8, Codrington ordered the fleet to enter Navarino bay and the ships to anchor in specific positions in front of the enemy. The situation was very tense. The ships of the British squadron were stationed in the centre. The French and Russian ships followed. Ibrahim sent an envoy to Codrington and demanded the immediate withdrawal of the allied fleet, recalling that he had not given permission to enter Navarino. The proud and brave Codrington replied that he “came to give orders and not to receive” and made it clear that any aggressive action by the Turkish-Egyptians would immediately lead to a confrontation and the destruction of their fleet.

Ibrahim expected this conflict and considered that he had set a trap in the allied fleet.

On the other hand, Codrington had studied the situation and was very optimistic, despite the overwhelming numerical strength of the opponent. The Allied fleet disposed of “higher” boats, equipped with faster range artillery and highly trained and experienced staff. In addition, due to its position it enjoyed manoeuvrability in contrast to the stacked and anchored Ottoman ships.

When the Allied fleet entered the bay, Codrington sent envoys to Ibrahim to ask for the Ottoman fleets to return to their bases. The Turks in the Dardanelles and the Egyptians in Alexandria. The Greek navigator Petros Mikelis who participated in the delegation, was killed by Turkish sailors^[58].

Moreover, the British captain of the frigate “Dartmouth”, who had entered the bay first with a messenger, raising a white flag, spotted a Turkish fireship that was moving towards him^[59].  He immediately sent a detachment to demand his removal, which received enemy fire, killing Lieutenant Fitzroy^[60], , and to injure some sailors, while the Turks set fire on the fireship. Acting quickly, Captain Fellows, commander of Darmouth, sent immediately another ship, which sank the enemy fireship^[61].

The frigates “Sirene” and “Dartmouth” responded to these provocations with shots. Then the Turkish-Egyptian ships began to shell the “Sirene”, while the “Asia” came under fire from the Turkish flagship and the naval battle of Navarino began. This was the last naval battle in history between sail-ships.

Detailed descriptions of the battle report that the ships were so close to each other that theirs masts entangled, while the sailors were fighting even using their pistols.

Another Turkish fireship attacked the French battleship “Skipion” and almost managed to set it on fire. It was rescued at the last minute after the intervention of the French battleship “Trident”. The “Sirene” sank the Egyptian frigate “Isania” and neutralized the cannons on the left side of the port entrance. The British ship “Albion” and the Russian “Azov” were in danger. The French battleship “Breslaw” then intervened and sank the battleship “Geu Revan”, which was the flagship of Admiral Tahir Pasha, who commanded the fleet, in the place of Ibrahim. “Breslaw” sank four more enemy frigates.

Codrington’s flagship “Asia” neutralized the battleship “Fakhti Bari” and the frigate “Gerrier”, with the help of the Russian “Azov”, which in turn destroyed three enemy frigates and a corvette. In less than two hours, the three battleships and almost all the Ottoman frigates had sunk or been destroyed.

The Allied fleet continued to shell the smaller enemy ships for another two hours. 90% of the huge Turkish-Egyptian fleet was sunk by Allied fire, while many of the surviving ships were destroyed by the Ottomans themselves so that they would not be captured by the Allies.

By 5 o’clock in the afternoon most of the Turkish-Egyptian ships had been destroyed or surrendered.

At least 4,000 Ottomans were killed and more than 2,000 wounded, while the Allies had 181 dead and 480 wounded (272 British, 184 French and 198 Russians killed or wounded). The Allies had suffered heavy damage, but no ships in their fleet had sunk.

Admiral De Rigny said that “there has never been a greater fleet destruction in history“. During the battle, the flagship “Asia” had received more than 170 shots and it was damaged in many places.

The victory was now final and decisive, and Admiral Codrington was the great winner and hero of Navarino.

Codrington completed his mission ten months later, when he forced through intense negotiations the Egyptians to agree to leave Greece. A departure which materialised when an army of 14,000 French arrived in the Peloponnese to oversee it, a year after the naval battle. The Sultan declared a “holy war”, thus offering the Czar an excuse to declare war and force him to accept Greek autonomy with the Treaty of Edirne.

The Greeks took advantage of the Russo-Turkish war and the withdrawal of the Egyptians, to prevail in mainland Greece and achieve their full independence with the establishment of the first Greek state.

The next day of the naval battle, the allies demanded that Ibrahim, who had managed to take refuge in the mountains of Messinia, order a ceasefire, under the threat of a general war. The Ottomans accepted and a cease of hostilities was signed at Codrington’s flagship. The great British Admiral sent a detailed report to the British Admiralty, where he explained in detail the need for a naval battle, both for the protection of the Greek population suffering from the Turkish-Egyptians and for the terms of the Treaty of London to be enforced. In addition, he attached reports of his subordinates, such as Rear Admiral Rowan Hamilton, who confirmed the actions of Ibrahim^[62].

Following the signing of the armistice with the Turkish-Egyptians and the submission of the report to the British Admiralty, Codrington and the British Mediterranean Fleet sailed to Malta to undertake new assignments. They remained there until May 1828, when they returned to the Peloponnese and reunited with the French and Russians, with the aim to ensure the peaceful departure of Ibrahim Pasha, who was constantly obstructing all plans^[63] effectively refusing to leave. Thus, on July 25, 1828, in Alexandria, Codrington came to an agreement after negotiating the treaty of August 6, 1828, according to which Ibrahim’s troops would evacuate the Peloponnese^[64].

In Britain (and throughout the West) the Allied victory was greeted with enthusiasm.

In January 1828 the Government changed in London, and power passed to the Duke of Wellington (Napoleon’s victor at Waterloo). The fear of Russia eventually descending into the Mediterranean, changed the attitude of Great Britain, for the forms. Wellington described the naval battle in Navarino as “unexpected” and “unfortunate”. This move was politically necessary in order to maintain diplomatic relations with the Ottoman Empire.

But the goal had been achieved. Greece would now be a free country.

It is worth mentioning some incidents from the critical hours of the great naval battle in Navarino. The great Admiral Codrington was always standing tall on the deck of the flagship “Asia”, despite being an easy target for enemy snipers, because he was very tall and imposing. The Turk Tahir Pasha had ordered selected snipers, offering huge rewards, to kill him. They only managed to hit his hat, sleeve and watch. The British Admiral did not stop for a moment to lead and fight. Even when his son, cadet officer Henry Codrington, who also served in “Asia”, was seriously injured, the Admiral left his post for a few minutes to see him. Shortly afterwards he returned to his place, where he remained until the end. It is also recalled that for his bravery, his son was honoured with the French medal of the Legion of Honour^[65].

The great British Admiral and his son are also heroic figures of the Greek war of Independence.

In Constantinople, the ambassadors of the three allies asked the Sultan to accept the Treaty of London, otherwise they would leave. Eventually the 3 ambassadors left Constantinople on December 8, 1827, as they had not received a clear answer from the Ottomans.

Upon his return to Great Britain in September 1828, Codrington was placed in reserve. The reason was that he neglected to carry out full checks on the ships of the Turkish-Egyptian fleet that were rescued in Navarino, as a result of which the Ottomans succeeded to transport Greek slaves from the Peloponnese to Alexandria using ships of Ibrahim’s fleet that were leaving. There was a commotion in Parliament and public opinion when in the first months of 1828 the information arrived that 5,500 Greeks from the Peloponnese, mostly women and children, were being sold in the slave markets of Alexandria, which put the British government in a difficult position. Admiral Codrington explained that the conditions prevailing after the naval battle did not allow all ships to be inspected^[66].

This was followed by the Russo-Turkish War of 1828 – 1829, and Britain, fearing a Russian invasion of the Mediterranean, now faced victory in Navarino with the necessary caution, given that the Ottomans were a bulwark against Russia^[67].

In essence, however, the naval battle at Navarino was a well-thought-out plan and strategic choice by George Canning, successfully executed by the great Admiral Edward Codrington. The instruction was to chase Ibrahim out of Greece using the diplomatic language, and if that is not enough with the force of arms.

In 1831 Codrington was appointed commander of the British Royal Navy Training Squadron. In 1832 he was elected member of the Parliament for the liberals in Devonport, and was honoured by the British King William IV with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath. At the same time he was invited by the Russian Emperor Nicholas I to St. Petersburg, where he was honoured with the Cross of St. George 2nd Class for his action^[68]. He was accompanied at the same time by his son, Lieutenant Henry Codrington, who was also honoured with the Order of St. Vladimir for his bravery in Navarino^[69].

In 1834, a motion of censure was lodged with the British Parliament against Codrington over Navarino. This move was clearly ostensible. Codrington proved his innocence and even managed to impose a decision to provide 60,000 GB pounds in compensation to the officers and sailors who took part in the naval battle of Navarino^[70].

In 1839, Codrington was promoted to Admiral, honoured with the Naval Medal of General Service, and appointed commander of the British Royal Navy, based in Portsmouth^[71]. The king of Greece Othon honoured him with the Grand Cross of the Order of the Knights of the Redeemer, acknowledging his contribution in favour of Greece^[72]. At the same time, his son, commander Henry Codrington, was again honoured^[73].

In 1847 the British government introduced a medal which was awarded to all sailors who participated in naval battles in 1793 – 1840. The General Naval Service Medal was established to be awarded to survivors of the Napoleonic Wars and to those who participated in naval battles until 1840.

The medal is round, with 36 mm in diameter, made of silver. The front side depicts the head of Queen Victoria and the inscription “VICTORIA REGINA 1848”. It does not bear the head of the king who was in power when the naval battles for which the medal was given took place. The obverse side depicts Britain as a woman holding a trident and sitting on a seahorse. The ribbon of the medal is blue and white, hanging over a horizontal metal bar. It is the work of the British engraver William Wyon. The ribbon bears metal inscriptions bearing the names or dates of naval battles, smaller-scale battles, naval operations or ships served by the honouree. It is noted that 1.142 medals were awarded to the survivors (in 1848) of the Battle of Navarino.

Admiral Edward Codrington died in London in 1851 at the age of 81. He was originally buried in St. Peter’s Basilica in Eaton Square, but in 1954 his bones were reburied in Brookwood Cemetery in Surrey. A memorial plaque was placed at St Paul’s Cathedral in London and an obelisk in Pylos (Navarino) in the Peloponnese in his honour.

At the same time, many streets bear his name in many Greek cities.

Admiral Codrington, was honoured in 1927 by the Hellenic Post, with the issuance of a stamp, which his portrait.

In 2009 a plaque was placed also at the residence of the great Admiral, following the actions of the Greek government, the city of Brighton and British philhellenes.

Greece and SHP honour the brave Philhellene Admiral Edward Codrington, whose contribution, with that of the United Kingdom, was a catalyst for the independence of Greece and the domination of the values ​​and culture that it stands for.

 

References

^[1] Cokayne, George Edward, ”Complete Baronetage (1707–1800)”, εκδ. William Pollard and Co, Exeter, 1906, 5^ος τόμος.
^[2] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[3] Burke, John, ”A General and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire”, εκδ. H. Colburn and R. Bentley, Λονδίνο, 1832, α’ τόμος, σελ. 270.
^[4] Chisholm, Hugh, ”Codrington, Christopher”, εγκ. ”Encyclopædia Britannica”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, 6^ος τόμος, σελ. 636.
^[5] Williams, M. J., Fisher, David R., Thorne, R., ”The History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1790-1820”, εκδ. Boydell and Brewer, Suffolk, 1986.
^[6] Burke, John, ”A General and Heraldic Dictionary of the Peerage and Baronetage of the British Empire”,εκδ. H. Colburn and R. Bentley, Λονδίνο, 1832, α’ τόμος, σελ. 270.
^[7] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, α’ τόμος, σελ. 2.
^[8] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[9] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 25.
^[10] Hannay, David, ”Codrington, Sir Edward”, εγκ.”Encyclopædia Britannica”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, 6ος τόμος, σελ. 636.
^[11] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[12] Winfield, Rif,” British Warships in the Age of Sail 1793–1817: Design, Construction, Careers and Fates”, εκδ. Seaforth Publishing, Barnsley, 2008, σελ. 214.
^[13] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 199.
^[14] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[15] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 200.
^[16] White, Collin, ”The Trafalgar captains. Their lives and memorials”, εκδ. Naval Institute Press, Annapolis, 2005.
^[17] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[18] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[19] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002.
^[20] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, α’ τόμος, σελ. 46.
^[21] Heathcote, Thomas H., ”Nelson’s Trafalgar captains and their battles. A biographical and historical dictionary”, εκδ. Pen & Sword Maritime, Barnsley, 2005.
^[22] Clayton, Tim, Craig, Phil, ”Trafalgar: The Men, The Battle, The Storm”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 2004.
^[23] Martín, Luis Aragón, ”Militares y Navíos Españoles que participaron en Trafalgar”, εκδ. Ministerio de Defensa, Μαδρίτη, 2005, σελ. 3.
^[24] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, α’ τόμος, σελ. 99.
^[25] Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ”The Battle of Navarino”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 1965, σελ. 33.
^[26] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[27] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002.
^[28] Howard, Martin R., ”Walcheren 1809: The Scandalous Destruction of a British Army”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2012.
^[29] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[30] Suchet, Louis Gabriel, ”Memoirs of the War in Spain, from 1808 to 1814”, εκδ. Henry Colburn, Λονδίνο, 1829, α’ τόμος, σελ. 330.
^[31] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, α’ τόμος, σελ. 211.
^[32] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[33] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[34] De Lacy-Bellingari, Edward, ”The roll of the house of Lacy: pedigrees, military memoirs and synoptical history of the ancient and illustrious family of De Lacy, from the earliest times, in all its branches, to the present day”, εκδ. Waverly Press, Camden, 1928, 8^ος τόμος.
^[35] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, α’ τόμος, σελ. 309.
^[36] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 310.
^[37] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 329.
^[38] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002.
^[39] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, α’ τόμος.
^[40] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[41] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002.
^[42] St Clair, William, ”That Greece Might Still Be Free: The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Books, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 331.
^[43] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[44] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002.
^[45] Cokayne, George Edward, ”Complete Baronetage (1707–1800)”, εκδ. Alan Sutton Publishing, Λονδίνο, 1983, 5^ος τόμος, σελ. 148.
^[46] St Clair, William, ”That Greece Might Still Be Free : The Philhellenes in the War of Independence”, εκδ. Open Books, Λονδίνο, 2008, σελ. 331.
^[47] Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ”The Battle of Navarino”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 1965.
^[48] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[49] Woodhouse, Christopher Montague, ”The Battle of Navarino”, εκδ. Hodder and Stoughton, Λονδίνο, 1965.
^[50] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[51] Παπασωτηρίου, Χαράλαμπος, ”Ο αγώνας για την ελληνική ανεξαρτησία. Πολιτική και στρατηγική των Ελλήνων και της οθωμανικής αυτοκρατορίας 1821-1832”, εκδ. Ι. Σιδέρης, Αθήνα, 1996.
^[52] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[53] Κουτσονίκας, Λάμπρος, ”Γενική Ιστορία της Ελληνικής Επαναστάσεως”, εκδ. Δ. Καρακατζάνη, Αθήνα, 1863, δ’ τόμος, σελ. 359.
^[54] Κόκκινος, Διονύσιος, ”Η Ελληνική Επανάστασις”, εκδ. Μέλισσα, Αθήνα, 1959, σελ. 263.
^[55] Μελετόπουλος, Μελέτης, ”Ο άρχοντας με τα πολλά πρόσωπα”, εκδ. Καπόν, Αθήνα, 2017.
^[56] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[57] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[58] Εφ.”Πρωία”, Αθήνα, φύλλο 25^ης Μαρτίου 1882.
^[59] Βλ. στο ίδιο, σελ. 360.
^[60] Βασδραβέλλης, Ι. Κ., ”Η πολιτική των Μεγάλων Δυνάμεων και η ναυμαχία του Ναυαρίνου”, εκδ. Εταιρεία Μακεδονικών Σπουδών, Θεσσαλονίκη, 1973.
^[61] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[62] Brewer, David, ”The Greek War of Independence. The Struggle for Freedom from Ottoman Oppression and the Birth of the Modern Greek Nation”, εκδ. The Overlook Press, Νέα Υόρκη, 2001.
^[63] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[64] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[65] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002.
^[66] Codrington, Edward, ”Memoir of the Life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrington: With Selections from His Public and Private Correspondence”, εκδ. Longmans, Green & Co., Λονδίνο, 1873, β’ τόμος.
^[67] Λούκος, Χρήστος, ”Ιωάννης Καποδίστριας”, εκδ. εφ.”Τα Νέα”, Αθήνα, 2009, σελ. 74.
^[68] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002
^[69] O’Byrne, William Richard, ”A Naval Biographical Dictionary”, εκδ. J. Murray, Λονδίνο, 1849, σελ. 17.
^[70] Heathcote, Tony, ”The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995”, εκδ. Pen & Sword, Barnsley, 2002
^[71] Hannay, David, ”Codrington, Sir Edward”, εγκ. ”Encyclopædia Britannica”, εκδ. Cambridge University Press, Λονδίνο, 1911, 6ος τόμος, σελ. 636.
^[72] Βλ. στο ίδιο.
^[73] O’Byrne, William Richard, ”A Naval Biographical Dictionary”, εκδ. J. Murray, Λονδίνο, 1849, σελ. 17.

 

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