Winchester College Publication Formidable | страница 2

Introduction
O
n 20th November 1759, at the Battle of Quiberon
Bay, the French warship Formidable was captured
by HMS Resolution. Her crew were taken prisoner and
brought to Winchester, where they were incarcerated
in the former royal palace known as the ‘King’s House’.
There, to pass the time, the prisoners constructed a
detailed and impressive model of their former ship.
An inscription on the model’s hull records that it was
made in 1760. It was presented to Winchester College
soon afterwards by the Headmaster, Dr John Burton
(1690-1774).
During its lifetime, the model has been housed in various
places around the school, suffering occasional damage
and some clumsy repairs. Through the generosity of the
Friends of Winchester College, professional restoration
work on Formidable was undertaken in 2018-19, and the
model has now found a permanent home in New Hall,
on public display for the first time.
Formidable, 1760
Oak, pine and fruitwood with fabric rigging
h. 150 cm, l. 140 cm, w. 60 cm
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