Today, I had an idea and I thought I would share it on this site to see what people think the ramifications of it would be.
Let's say that, in 1804, a major storm occurs in the English Channel which leads to the Channel Fleet being swept into the Atlantic for a few days. Napoleon, hardly believing his luck, orders the Grand Armee to cross the Channel, hoping that he will be able to secure a quick victory before the Channel Fleet can return.
However, upon landing in Kent, Napoleon finds that British resistance is far greater than initially anticipated, and consequently Britain is able to prevent the French forces from advancing as quickly as Napoleon initially hoped. Meanwhile, the Channel Fleet is able to re-group, while the fleet in the Mediterranean under Nelson quickly moves into the Atlantic and back to the Channel, where the two fleets combine. The Royal Navy then proceeds to cut off Napoleon's supply route, and any French attempt to break the blockade is easily defeated.
Returning to the situation on land, British forces are able to push the French back, either through winning a decisive engagement which depletes the French force significantly, or by carrying out a sustained campaign which sees Napoleon's resources reduced and with no reinforcements available. Either way, Britain is able to drive the French back to the coast, and Napoleon finds himself trapped with no method of escape. Consequently, British forces are able to capture Napoleon (along with the remaining French forces), and thus the French Emperor finds himself in the Tower of London as a prisoner of war.
What would the ramifications of this be? Would France be willing to carry on, having lost their leader? What would Britain do with their valuable prisoner? How would the rest of Europe react to this development?
Let's say that, in 1804, a major storm occurs in the English Channel which leads to the Channel Fleet being swept into the Atlantic for a few days. Napoleon, hardly believing his luck, orders the Grand Armee to cross the Channel, hoping that he will be able to secure a quick victory before the Channel Fleet can return.
However, upon landing in Kent, Napoleon finds that British resistance is far greater than initially anticipated, and consequently Britain is able to prevent the French forces from advancing as quickly as Napoleon initially hoped. Meanwhile, the Channel Fleet is able to re-group, while the fleet in the Mediterranean under Nelson quickly moves into the Atlantic and back to the Channel, where the two fleets combine. The Royal Navy then proceeds to cut off Napoleon's supply route, and any French attempt to break the blockade is easily defeated.
Returning to the situation on land, British forces are able to push the French back, either through winning a decisive engagement which depletes the French force significantly, or by carrying out a sustained campaign which sees Napoleon's resources reduced and with no reinforcements available. Either way, Britain is able to drive the French back to the coast, and Napoleon finds himself trapped with no method of escape. Consequently, British forces are able to capture Napoleon (along with the remaining French forces), and thus the French Emperor finds himself in the Tower of London as a prisoner of war.
What would the ramifications of this be? Would France be willing to carry on, having lost their leader? What would Britain do with their valuable prisoner? How would the rest of Europe react to this development?