Hornblower and the Hotspur

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Hornblower and the Hotspur (published 1962) is a Horatio Hornblower novel written by C. S. Forester.

It is the third in the series, following Lieutenant Hornblower.

With war with France under Napoleon Bonaparte imminent, Hornblower is promoted from Lieutenant to Commander and appointed to command the sloop HMS "Hotspur". While readying for sea, he hastily marries the daughter of his landlady, Maria, whose affection for him was obvious in Lieutenant Hornblower. However, Hornblower marries her not out of love but out of pity, and is forced to exercise his acting ability to make her believe that he genuinely loves her.

"Hotspur" reconnoitres the approaches to the French naval base of Brest, and narrowly avoids capture when war is declared. Once the British fleet blockades Brest, Hornblower's restlessness and perfectionism prompts him to lead attacks and landing parties.

In spite of gaining a good reputation, Hornblower makes no financial profit from his activities. When Admiral William Cornwallis tries to put him in a position where he can make easy prize money by halting a shipment of Spanish gold to France, he instead takes on a heavier enemy frigate, and drives it away. Hornblower rationalises that this is poetic justice, after he had earlier connived at the escape and desertion of his steward who was facing hanging for mutiny. It later transpires that the prize ships were claimed by the Admiralty, as no official war was declared with Spain, and so Hornblower would not have profited in any case.

At the end of the book, Hornblower has a son, and has been recommended for promotion to Post Captain, by Cornwallis.

Citation: Forester, C.S. (unk). Hornblower and the Hotspur (1998 ed.). Back Bay Books. ISBN 0-316-29046-7.

Horatio Hornblower novels by C. S. Forester

Mr. Midshipman Hornblower • Lieutenant Hornblower • Hornblower and the Hotspur • Hornblower and the Crisis • Hornblower and the Atropos • The Happy Return (Beat to Quarters) • A Ship of the Line • Flying Colours • The Commodore • Lord Hornblower • Hornblower in the West Indies