Report on Conference.
The conference on 21 October 2017 was attended by 55 People including the Mayor of Torres Vedras, Carlos Manuel Antunes Bernardes. The Conference was opened by the Chairman of the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras, Andrew Dismore. The opening address was by the Mayor of Torres Vedras, who stayed on to listen to the presentations. An open discussion of the building of the lines was led by Mark Thompson with contributions from the audience including a number of Portuguese historians as well as the conference speakers. There followed four presentations. Professor Charles Esdaile spoke on the little known Guerra Fantástica of 1762 and the curious parallels with Massena's third invasion in 1810. Colonel (Ret'd) Nick Lipscombe described the major role the Royal Navy played in supporting the war and the Lines themselves.
Just before lunch, Colonel (Ret'd) Gerald Napier and Clive Gilbert MBE were given life membership of the Friends for their work to support and publicise the Lines of Torres Vedras.
After a wonderful buffet lunch,Professor Mendo Henriques then spoke on the war from a Portuguese perspective and the role of Portuguese guerrillas and militia. Dr Mark S Thompson spoke on the use of telegraphs on the Lines and Finally, Clive Gilbert MBE spoke on the work done in Portugal to preserve and protect the Lines.
The talks were excellent and the contributions from the attendees added greatly to the success of the day,
The conference on 21 October 2017 was attended by 55 People including the Mayor of Torres Vedras, Carlos Manuel Antunes Bernardes. The Conference was opened by the Chairman of the Friends of the Lines of Torres Vedras, Andrew Dismore. The opening address was by the Mayor of Torres Vedras, who stayed on to listen to the presentations. An open discussion of the building of the lines was led by Mark Thompson with contributions from the audience including a number of Portuguese historians as well as the conference speakers. There followed four presentations. Professor Charles Esdaile spoke on the little known Guerra Fantástica of 1762 and the curious parallels with Massena's third invasion in 1810. Colonel (Ret'd) Nick Lipscombe described the major role the Royal Navy played in supporting the war and the Lines themselves.
Just before lunch, Colonel (Ret'd) Gerald Napier and Clive Gilbert MBE were given life membership of the Friends for their work to support and publicise the Lines of Torres Vedras.
After a wonderful buffet lunch,Professor Mendo Henriques then spoke on the war from a Portuguese perspective and the role of Portuguese guerrillas and militia. Dr Mark S Thompson spoke on the use of telegraphs on the Lines and Finally, Clive Gilbert MBE spoke on the work done in Portugal to preserve and protect the Lines.
The talks were excellent and the contributions from the attendees added greatly to the success of the day,