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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Admiral Byng
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(John Byng, 1704–57)
A sailor famous only for his unfortunate end. He was shot on board HMS Monarque in Portsmouth harbour, after being convicted by a court martial of neglect of duty in failing to relieve the garrison on *Minorca from the hostile attentions of a French fleet. His execution prompted *Voltaire's comment in Candide (1759) that in England it is thought wise to kill an admiral from time to time pour encourager les autres (to encourage the others).
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