Henslow's designs were not wildly innovative and tended towards small modifications on established frigate classes;[3] his alterations being primarily to the size and, in particular, length of ships.

[4][6] Although classed as 36-gun fifth rates,[Note 1] the Aigle-class frigates would be armed with a main battery of twenty-six 18 pounders (8.2 kilograms) on the gun deck, four 9 pdr (4.1 kg) on the quarterdeck and four on the forecastle.

Aigle was ordered first but a 16-month delay during her construction meant that Resistance was completed and launched first,[Note 3] and due to timber's propensity to expand and contract was slightly larger when measured at 975 8⁄94.

[14] Built under contract by Balthazar and Edward Adams, Aigle was ordered on 15 September 1798 and her keel was laid down in November at Bucklers Hard shipyard in Hampshire.

[15][4] In accordance with Surveyor of the Navy Sir Robert Seppings' designs, in January 1820, Aigle had her square transom removed and a circular stern fitted.

[20] On 22 March 1808, she was first into the action against two large French frigates, compelling one to seek the shelter of the Île de Groix batteries and chasing the other onto the shore.

[21] Aigle was at the Battle of Basque Roads in April 1809, when Captain Thomas Cochrane's partially successful action began with an attacking force of fireships against a French fleet, anchored off the Île-d'Aix.

[22] Initially providing support to the fireships' crews, Aigle went on to help force the surrender of the stranded French vessels Ville de Varsovie and Aquilon.

[23] In July 1809, Aigle took part in the Walcheren Campaign, an amphibious operation against the Kingdom of Holland, carrying out a two-day long bombardment of Flushing that led to its capitulation on 15 August.

[25] Under the command of Captain Sir James Brisbane, bombarded Fort Maurizio until its guns were silenced so her crew could collect the prizes she had previously chased ashore.