Nelson & His World

I mentioned on another thread that I am currently reading 'Nelson's Duchy' by Michael Pratt, a history of Bronte from Norman times to the present day.

We are used to fanciful stories about Nelson but I thought this Sicilian fantasy might amuse. (I have to précis, as the story is incredibly long.)

There is a legend told by the shepherds of Sicily about the slipper of Queen Elizabeth 1, who made a pact with the devil to gain the English throne and he and his demons came to claim her on her deathbed. They carried her over the seas and a shepherd was astonished to see a woman, clasped in Satan's arms, disappear in clouds of smoke and flame into Mount Etna. However, the queen's glittering slipper was found embedded in a rock, but no prayers, charms, spells or priestly exorcisms could remove it. It eventually flew off, emitting flames, and fell to earth near Bronte - Queen Elizabeth had come to put the land under the protection of England.

When Nelson was created Duke of Bronte, a richly-dressed lady presented him with a gilded casket. On opening it, Nelson was dazzled by the royal slipper, glittering with gems. He turned to question the lady but she had disappeared. Nelson always carried the slipper with him as a talisman in battle. Just before Trafalgar, the lady of the golden casket appeared to him in a dream. She asked him where the slipper was. He replied that before embarking, he had given it to Lady Hamilton. 'Why have you given it to another?' she asked. 'You will die in this battle'. And so it came to pass.'