Imprisonment in France

The experiences of the English prisoners in Napoleon’s France have been discussed at length by J. David Markham. According to Markham, captured merchant seamen occupied a kind of middle ground in the hierarchy. One such seaman, like Charles Robinson, a ‘master’, went by the name of Bussell: 

As Master of a ship, Bussell was given substantially more freedom of movement and of sleeping arrangements than common prisoners of war were afforded. He was often allowed to live in the town near whatever prison he was assigned…As Bussell traveled to various locations, usually on foot with a cart for luggage or infirm men, he was often able to buy his way into more private quarters and better beds. While he had some of his own money with him, the French also paid him a certain amount of “marching” money. Later, when he was staying at more permanent locations, he, like many British prisoners, was sent money from Lloyds Patriotic Fund, which was funded in England by subscription. He was able to use this money for better lodgings, improved food, and wine… While Bussell was often kept apart from the prisons, he was sometimes required to stay within their confines. While so confined, he tells of very poor conditions, of extreme cold, and lack of provisions. 

This at least gives some flavour of the life of Charles Robinson until he was finally able to return to England in 1814.

Charles Robinson was to marry Harriett Wombwell here after his return From from France