La Fayette Hermione, French Frigate

TS0048W

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Le Marquis de la Fayette's frigate l'Hermione, which took part in the American war of Independence.  Handcrafted fully assembled model of this famous ship.  90cm long.

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In 1776, the relationship between Great Britain and those fighting for independence from the colonies of North America were strained. The Marquis de La Fayette upon his return to France from America campaigned to obtain France's support for the conflict.  He conviced Louis XVI to give his backing.  In 1780, La Fayette embarked on the Hermione to fight alongside the American insurgents for independence.

Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette once said that he loved liberty “with the enthusiasm of religion, the rapture of love, and the conviction of geometry.” In pursuit of this passion, he dedicated his life to the creation of democracy in America and France. Revered by many in both the new world and the old, La Fayette became known as the “Hero of Two Worlds.”

La Fayette’s ambition was to follow in his father’s footsteps and become an officer. He joined the French army at the age of 16. Like many of the French, he had an abiding enthusiasm for the ideal put forth in America’s Declaration of Independence.  He invested his own funds and outfitted a frigate, sailing for America in 1777, where he joined the forces of General George Washington, with whom he established a lifelong friendship.

In 1779, he traveled back to France for the birth of his son, whom he named George Washington du Motier.  In March of 1780, he sailed again from Rochefort, France on the frigate L’Hermione, arriving in Boston in April.  The following year, the Battle of Yorktown in Virginia was a victory for the combined American and French forces, led by General George Washington and the Marquis de La Fayette, as well as the Comte de Rochambeau over the British army which was commanded by General Lord Charles Cornwallis.  The surrender of Cornwallis caused the British government to negotiate an end to the American Revolutionary War.

In 2007, France and the United States saluted La Fayette’s achievements with a celebration of the 250th anniversary of his birth.  A variety of events and activities hailed La Fayette’s contributions to democracy and the promotion of positive relations between the United States and France.

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La Fayette Hermione, French Frigate

La Fayette Hermione, French Frigate

Le Marquis de la Fayette's frigate l'Hermione, which took part in the American war of Independence.  Handcrafted fully assembled model of this famous ship.  90cm long.