Briars, Saint Helena
The Briars Pavilion stood in the garden of William Balcombe during late 1815. Napoleon Bonaparte arrived on Saint Helena and stayed there for only a few weeks before moving to Longwood House. This small structure became his first home on the remote island. The location offered a temporary refuge while officials arranged more permanent housing. Historical records confirm this brief residence occurred immediately after his arrival.
Elizabeth Lucia Balcombe was just fourteen years old when she began translating for Napoleon. Her father William Balcombe served as an English merchant who supplied goods to the exiled emperor. Elizabeth spoke French, making her the sole family member capable of communicating with Napoleon directly. This linguistic skill created a unique bond between the young girl and the former ruler. Their interactions shaped early days on the island through daily conversation and translation work.
Hudson Lowe served as Governor of Saint Helena and viewed the Balcombes with deep distrust. He believed their closeness to Napoleon violated strict exile protocols. In 1818, Lowe forced William Balcombe to leave the island entirely. The family returned to England under official orders from colonial authorities. This expulsion ended all direct contact between the Balcombes and Napoleon during his remaining years.
After the Balcombes departed, the pavilion housed an admiral assigned to St Helena duties. The East India Company purchased the property in 1827 for £6,000. They converted the building into a silk production facility while growing mulberry trees nearby. Ownership changed hands multiple times over the following decades before Dame Mabel Brookes acquired it in 1959. These transitions reflected shifting economic priorities across the nineteenth century.
Dame Mabel Brookes purchased the Pavilion in 1959 as her great-granddaughter of William Balcombe. She donated the property to the French government shortly after acquisition. In recognition of this generous gesture, France appointed her Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1960. The donation made Briars the third French property on the island alongside Longwood House and his tomb in Sane Valley. Her actions preserved historical memory for future generations.
William Balcombe established a new estate named The Briars in Carwoola, New South Wales. He introduced two specific plant species to Australia during his time there. Historical accounts suggest he brought cuttings from Weeping Willow trees that grew near Napoleon's grave on Saint Helena. The Sweet Briar rose also appeared on his Australian property under his care. His youngest son Alexander Beatson Balcombe later named his pastoral run The Briars in Mount Martha.
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Common questions
When did Napoleon Bonaparte stay at The Briars Pavilion on Saint Helena?
Napoleon Bonaparte stayed at The Briars Pavilion during late 1815. Historical records confirm this brief residence occurred immediately after his arrival on the remote island.
Who was Elizabeth Lucia Balcombe and what role did she play for Napoleon?
Elizabeth Lucia Balcombe was fourteen years old when she began translating for Napoleon. Her father William Balcombe served as an English merchant who supplied goods to the exiled emperor, but Elizabeth spoke French making her the sole family member capable of communicating with him directly.
Why did Hudson Lowe force the Balcombe family to leave Saint Helena in 1818?
Hudson Lowe served as Governor of Saint Helena and viewed the Balcombes with deep distrust because he believed their closeness to Napoleon violated strict exile protocols. In 1818, Lowe forced William Balcombe to leave the island entirely under official orders from colonial authorities.
What happened to The Briars Pavilion after the Balcombes departed in 1827?
The East India Company purchased the property in 1827 for £6,000 and converted the building into a silk production facility while growing mulberry trees nearby. Dame Mabel Brookes acquired it in 1959 before donating the property to the French government shortly after acquisition.
How many French properties exist on Saint Helena today including The Briars Pavilion?
France appointed Dame Mabel Brookes Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur in 1960 for her donation which made The Briars the third French property on the island alongside Longwood House and his tomb in Sane Valley.