"The years 1789 to 1815 were traumatic for British history in many ways A 'mad' king had lost the American colonies and now revolution in France, welcomed by many East Anglians, had invoked fear in many others. Thomas Paine and Horatio Nelson were two Norfolk men who would come to prominence for very different reasons. Suffolk would be a temporary refuge for emigre French families. And Essex would be a marching ground for thousands of British troops who stood ready to throw back Napoleon's forces. Local voices preached revolution and loyalty. Offshore, the North Sea fleet sailed from Yarmouth, Harwich and numerous small coastal towns to combat the French privateers."--Provided by the publisher.