Napoleon on board HMS 'Bellerophon', 1815 In February 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba for a final 'Hundred Days' of power. He took over the government in Paris on 20 March and prepared for war once more. His renewed attempt to dominate Europe failed, however, and he finally surrendered to the British after the French defeat at Waterloo on 18 June 1815.

He was taken to Plymouth in the Bellerophon, before being transferred to HMS Northumberland. With a small entourage, he was exiled to the remote island of St Helena, 5000 miles from Europe.

Characteristically, Napoleon was not idle during his last exile. He continuously campaigned to be released. He also wrote his autobiography, thereby shaping his self-image for posterity.

Napoleon died on 5 May 1821 and requested that his ashes be interred in Paris. Instead, he was buried with full military honours in a nameless tomb on St Helena.

Napoleon's legacy >>