A city, a port with a maritime destiny, contested between France, Spain, and England over the centuries. A strategic foothold that was several times decisive. This is the story of this city, this port that Admiral Lepotier recounts to us, with episodes where religion, politics, and commercial interests intertwined, and where national sentiment did not yet exist. Until the revolution, people were subjects of a prince, an homage that might seem bizarre today.
Dunkirk is both in the land of France and within an empire. The Habsburgs were at the same time in Spain and held the Holy Roman Empire. England is about to emerge, its naval power will overshadow that of Spain. Dunkirk is the key to success, a key that will remain decisive until the Second World War. Spain, the Habsburgs, have declined, that is the course of history.
What does this city represent today? It is a page, one of the most important in our history. Dunkirk, the port of salvation, is a valuable work for better understanding our history from the fall of the invincible armada that sealed Spain’s fate and gave England its hegemony, which forced Napoleon I to pursue his adventurous policy and which was certainly the prelude to Hitler’s defeat with the English troops who were able to escape from the trap of encirclement.
Dunkirk, a city of history? Certainly, and thanks to Admiral Lepotier for having unveiled its history to us.
Thierry Jan, writer.
