To have insult

[hhtt21]

'For more than a thousand years, the tribes of Europe have stared into the gun-metal-gray chop of the English Channel and thought of conquest. "We have six centuries of insults to avenge" said Napoleon.'

Would you please explain the part "We have six centuries of insults to avenge"?


Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/28/opinion/hitler-britain-invasion.html

Thank you.

 

[GoesStation]

I haven't read the linked text but I imagine Napoleon was trying to stir up nationalist anger against England. He told his citizens that England had been insulting France for six hundred years. He wanted them to believe that they had been personally insulted and should go risk their lives to pay the English back.

 

[Tdol]

It could also refer to wars and the fact that England once held a lot of territory in France.