The Admiral Byng, Darkes Lane, Potters Bar

Image: © Mike Quinn Taken: 12 May 2009

The Honourable John Byng, the fourth son of Admiral Viscount Torrington, had an unremarkable career until he was sent to relieve the British-held island of Minorca in 1756 when it was under siege by the French. Having risen to flag rank through his illustrious connections but without fighting experience commensurate to the task, his action with the blockading French fleet was inconclusive and the island was lost. He was recalled, humiliatingly confined at Greenwich Hospital, then court-martialled and shot in 1757 on board his own flagship, 'Monarch', at Portsmouth, for neglect of duty. Although the court felt obliged to pass the sentence on point of law, it did so with a strong recommendation for mercy. When this was refused by George II it was recognized that Byng had also been made a political scapegoat and Voltaire, in his novel 'Candide', famously included mention of his (bravely met) death: ' In this country [England]', he wrote, ' it is thought good to shoot an admiral from time to time, to encourage the others'. The French phrase ' pour encourager les autres' has been common in English usage ever since. See http://www.nmm.ac.uk/collections/explore/object.cfm?ID=BHC2590. See also Image, Image and Image

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