The order and construction dates are the basis for rejecting the claim that Brennus was France's response to the Royal Sovereign class. Brennus was ordered in 1888 and laid down in January 1889, while Royal Sovereign was ordered and laid down later in 1889. British planners also judged that France's individually capable ships would struggle to operate as a cohesive squadron. They expected efficient British squadrons to overmatch those ships even when individual French vessels were more capable.
Notable Point · 1:02:01-1:04:15
Chronology rules out Royal Sovereign as Brennus's model
Brennus's earlier order and laying-down dates undermine the proposed Royal Sovereign connection, while British planners judged French strength at squadron level.