Portuguese Court flees to Brazil in 1801?

[Vinization]

No it would not stay in Portuguese America or Lisbon for they always went to London from the beginning and nothing changes.

That's disheartening. Still, even if the Court stays for only a short time in Salvador/Rio de Janeiro it could have some interesting effects on colonial development.

 

[unprincipled peter]

Portugal has the 4th largest navy

one thing I have a hard time wrapping my head around is the why British naval escort was required for the escape in 1808 (in return for which Britain extorted trade concessions). Spain and France had seen their navies demolished. Part of the reason for the invasion was to capture the Portuguese fleet. If Portugal had any navy worth mentioning, they shouldn't need the British. Plus, it was pretty shitty of the Brits to force Portugal into the situation (when Portugal tried to be neutral, Britain told them 'be on our side or we separate you from your colonies') then extort concessions when Portugal was invaded. As I noted earlier, Britain wrote off Portugal as lost, and gave no assistance until it suddenly became a handy launching spot in which to wage war in Spain when the rebels there had success.

 

[Lusitania]

one thing I have a hard time wrapping my head around is the why British naval escort was required for the escape in 1808 (in return for which Britain extorted trade concessions).

To make sure a combined Spanish/French navy did not intercept. For 99% of ships were just merchant ships and not ship if the line.

Those not familiar with napoleons goals was to unite franchise, Spanish, Dutch Portuguese and danish navy ships into a fleet to challenge British navy. The Portuguese escape put the Portuguese navy out of napoleons reach and the French never able to challenge RN for control of seas.

 

[unprincipled peter]

To make sure a combined Spanish/French navy did not intercept. For 99% of ships were just merchant ships and not ship if the line.

Those not familiar with napoleons goals was to unite franchise, Spanish, Dutch Portuguese and danish navy ships into a fleet to challenge British navy. The Portuguese escape put the Portuguese navy out of napoleons reach and the French never able to challenge RN for control of seas.

I get the reasoning, I just don't understand the logistics. France and Spain did still have some remnants of a navy, but wasn't most of it blockaded in port, not running free? I presume Britain was keeping tabs on the F/S fleets, and would intercept if necessary. I'm not disagreeing with you, but if Portugal had any fleet at all, they should be capable of protecting the royals. So it seems to me either Portugal's navy isn't all that much, or the oft claimed demise of F/S navies is overly exaggerated.

 

[Lusitania]

I get the reasoning, I just don't understand the logistics. France and Spain did still have some remnants of a navy, but wasn't most of it blockaded in port, not running free? I presume Britain was keeping tabs on the F/S fleets, and would intercept if necessary. I'm not disagreeing with you, but if Portugal had any fleet at all, they should be capable of protecting the royals. So it seems to me either Portugal's navy isn't all that much, or the oft claimed demise of F/S navies is overly exaggerated.

Yes the British navy contributed 4 ships of the line to escort the Portuguese fleet to Brazil. They were the Marlborough, London, Bedford, and Monarch.

 

[cerebus]

I get the reasoning, I just don't understand the logistics. France and Spain did still have some remnants of a navy, but wasn't most of it blockaded in port, not running free? I presume Britain was keeping tabs on the F/S fleets, and would intercept if necessary. I'm not disagreeing with you, but if Portugal had any fleet at all, they should be capable of protecting the royals. So it seems to me either Portugal's navy isn't all that much, or the oft claimed demise of F/S navies is overly exaggerated.

I always read it as the brits making sure they really did go and did not stay and surrender.
Paranoid but in character.