59: The War of Jenkins' Ear 1739 - 1748

Send me a messageThe War of Jenkins Ear was fought between Great Britain and the Spanish Empire between 1739 - 1748.Subscribe to my newsletterDespite its comical name, it proved to be a bloody affair particularly at the Battle of Cartagena de Indies (in modern-day Colombia) where the British lost nearly 6,000 men.In the end it was subsumed into the larger War of Austrain Succession which was being fought in Europe and the conflicts between the british and Spanish in the Americas fizzled out.It produced some notable heroes such as Admiral Vernon and Commodore Anson as well as the Spanish commander, Blas de Lezo.Also involved was Lawrence Washington, older half-brother to George.Whilst the war is pretty much forgotten it has left its mark with Portobello Rd in London and Portobello in Edinburgh based after Britain's biggest victory.It also helped give us the anthem: "Rule Britannia" Sign up for my newsletterSupport the show