‘Bravery and Loyalty - Insufficient Securities for the Life and Honour of a Naval Officer’ How Honour influenced the Court Martial and Execution of Admiral John Byng

Abstract

The execution of Admiral Byng was a turning point in the history of the Royal Navy. For the first time, a senior officer had been executed, in an act that ran counter to the recommendations of the Admiralty, the court martial, and the House of Commons. This thesis examines the case of Admiral Byng and argues that honour was a crucial factor in both his conviction and execution. Honour was a multifaceted concept that varied based on individual interpretation. As a result, honour was interpreted and utilized throughout the trial and its aftermath in a variety of ways, including in the form of national honour, naval honour, and Byng’s personal honour. This thesis examines the theme of honour during the prelude of the case, Byng’s court martial itself, and the period leading to his execution, exploring the influence of honour and how views of honour shifted throughout the affair.