Lord Clonfert
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Revision as of 22:21, 17 November 2008
Lord Clonfert is a character who appears in The Mauritius Command as an English naval officer. Clonfert is described as an Englishman whose family held an Irish peerage. He first appears in The Mauritius Command as the Commander of the sloop Otter. Clonfert takes part in the successful action on La Reunion and is rewarded by Commodore Aubrey, who promotes Clonfert to the command of the post-ship Nereide.
O'Brian depicts Clonfert as showy dandy who is well-liked by his crew, but who struggles with a tendency toward brooding over past disappointments. Aubrey's relationship with Clonfert, who was once senior to Aubrey in the navy, is awkward and at times, tense. They had served together as lieutenants in HMS Agememnon, where Clonfert's poor conduct during a cutting-out action against the French had caused Aubrey to silently question Clonfert's courage. Clonfert resented Aubrey's later successes, favor with the Admiralty, and promotion to post-rank ahead of him.
Clonfert is severely wounded in action later in The Mauritius Command. He eventually dies of his wounds after he suicidally removes his bandages and bleeds to death.
