The Enforcer: Viscount Sidmouth

Henry Addington, the first Viscount Sidmouth and home secretary since 1812, was a consummate politician. He had been Prime Minister of the nation between 1801 and 1804 and his term in office was noted for the doubling of income tax, the construction of the Martello tower sea defences along the south coast and the raising of more than 600,000 men at arms. It can be fairly said of Sidmouth that he understood how to apply the smack of firm government though, to give him his due, during his administration Napoleon was at the zenith of his power, bestriding the European landmass like a colossus, albeit a five foot one.

From Chapter 8, The Jane Austen Murders.