Hornblower, Series 1 - 3

Horatio Hornblower, a new midshipman joins the British Royal Navy, and his immediate problems stem from his seasickness and a shipmate, Simpson, a bully whose own failings make him jealous of the new recruit. The antagonism leads to a duel with tragic results.

Hornblower is now a member of the crew under Captain Pellew on HMS Indefatigable, and Britain is at war. Trying to study for the forthcoming examination to become a Lieutenant, Hornblower must face deadly problems and come through with his life - if he can.

Lieutenant Horatio Hornblower is sailing home in a captured ship, La Rêve, carrying secret papers and escorting a duchess, when they themselves are taken prisoner by the Spanish. How can he escape with his top secret charge, the other prisoners, and above all, a duchess whose behaviour is becoming increasingly suspicious?

When Hornblower is charged with taking some British Redcoats and French nationalists over the English Channel to assist in the fightback against the French Revolution, he is overcome with horror at the brutality of their behaviour, and must defend the honour of a young French woman.

Hornblower is 4th junior Lieutenant aboard the 4-gun frigate HMS Renown, en route to a secret location. Her captain, Sawyer, is a war hero, but he is also dangerously unstable. Hornblower becomes aware that action of some kind has to be taken but he and the other officers are only too aware of the consequences.

With Sawyer dead, Buckland takes control of the ship, but he is not up to the task, and decides to sail to Jamaica, despite the failure of the mission to capture the Spanish fort on Samana Bay. Hornblower suggests another plan of attack which goes well, although Buckland takes all the credit for the raid's success. But the Spanish capitulation isn't all it seems, and Hornblower will have to come to Buckland's rescue once more before they reach Jamaica.

1803 Portsmouth. We find Hornblower reduced to the rank of lieutenant as a result of the peace treaty with France. He is forced to earn his living at the card tables and lodges with Mrs Mason. A chance encounter with Lieutenant Bush reignites their friendship and indeed, it is Bush who first notices Hornblower has an admirer: Mrs Mason's daughter, Maria. Soon, Admiral Pellew promotes Hornblower to Commander of the Hotspur, his mission - to strike a pre-emptive blow against a French fleet. But there is a traitor in his camp a very surprising traitor.

Hornblower is filled with trepidation on his wedding day, but he has given his word - how could he dishonour his bride Maria and live with himself? Admiral Pellew gives Hornblower little time to ponder his new state of matrimony as he sends him off immediately to search for the missing sloop Grasshopper, captained by their old friend, Bracegirdle. En route, Hornblower rescues two strangers caught in a storm off the coast of France, but he is less than convinced by their explanations. The ultimate revelation of their identity is both shocking and dangerous to all concerned.