Edward John Trelawny - Greece

Greece

Shelley had been very supportive of the idea of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire before he died. In June 1823 Byron decided to go to Greece to fight for independence, and Trelawny enthusiastically accompanied him. Byron chartered a boat known as The Hercules to transport them there. During the voyage, Trelawny and Byron sometimes irritated each other. Trelawny's lack of cleanliness particularly bothered Byron, but they still were able to enjoy each other's company at times. They often practised swimming, boxing, fencing together during the trip. They also practised their aim by shooting ducks for target practice. They initially spent much time together because the rest of Byron's entourage suffered from seasickness and were unable to participate in their activities.

After they arrived in the Ionian Islands, Byron decided to stay there for a while in order to consult with the London Greek Committee and other experts regarding the political situation in Greece before proceeding further. They then left him in Kefalonia and travelled to Greece. Byron approved of Trelawny's plan to travel deeper into Greece and presented him with a sword and a letter of introduction shortly before he departed. Byron also asked them to soon return to him with more information.

After initially staying with a shepherd after they arrived in Greece, they travelled to Tripoli. Trelawny wore authentic Souliote dress on the journey. After arriving in Tripoli, Trelawny met with Alexandros Mavrokordatos whom he soon came to strongly dislike. He also met Theodoros Kolokotronis, whom he later came to admire. They travelled together to Salamis, on the journey Trelawny viewed the sites of previous battles. He recorded that he could see the bones of those who had been slain there. He spoke with many Greek leaders after arriving in Salamis. He was well respected as the agent of the Lord Byron, whom they held in high esteem. He frequently corresponded with Lord Byron and encouraged him to come to Greece. He was disappointed when Byron did not come for some time, and that when he did come he came to territory that was overseen by Mavrokordatos. Trelawny, however, greatly enjoyed Corinth and Athens. Rumours later emerged that he purchased a harem of twelve to fifteen women while in staying in Athens. However, some have maintained that he may have actually redeemed the women from slavery.

He soon left on a raiding expedition with the warlord Odysseas Androutsos, who controlled much of Eastern Greece. Trelawny thought very highly of Odysseas, describing him as a brother and comparing him to George Washington and Simón Bolívar. During this time Trelawny commanded a group of twenty five Albanian soldiers. In the winter of 1823–24, Odysseas and his men fought several battles with the Turks and destroyed villages in the Euboea region. Trelawny lobbied Byron to send them more arms, but Byron decided to wait before shipping any to consider the political implications. Some have called into question the effectiveness of Odysseas' campaign and many view Byron's delay as a polite refusal.

After Byron died in April 1824, Trelawny returned from an expedition with Odysseas. Trelawny claimed that upon arriving in Messolonghi, he began overseeing the funeral preparations. In the days before his death, Byron often said he wished Trelawny would return to him. Trelawny then wrote several accounts of Byron's last years and sent them to papers in England. In these accounts he often exaggerated the role he played in Byron's life. Shortly after Byron died, Trelawny reported he took the opportunity to view his deformed foot with a servant of Byron's.