Winchester College Publication Formidable | Page 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 2 3