The Dukedom of Wellington, derived from Wellington in Somerset, is a hereditary title and the senior rank in the Peerage of the United Kingdom.
Arthur Wellesley, 1st Marquess of Wellington, was granted the titles Duke of Wellington and Marquess Douro on May 11, 1814 after he returned home a hero following Napoleon's abdication. He fought some 60 battles in his military career, and never lost a single one. He was considered 'the conquerer of Napoleon'. Along with the 1st Duke of Marlborough, he stands as one of the finest two soldiers Britain has ever produced.
The Dukes of Wellington
- Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington (1769-1852), third son of Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington Arthur Richard Wellesley,
- 2nd Duke of Wellington (1807-1884) Henry Wellesley
- 3rd Duke of Wellington (1846-1900) Arthur Charles Wellesley
- 4th Duke of Wellington (1849-1934) Arthur Charles Wellesley
- 5th Duke of Wellington (1876-1941) Henry Valerian George Wellesley
- 6th Duke of Wellington (1912-1943) Gerald Wellesley
- 7th Duke of Wellington (1885-1972) Arthur Valerian Wellesley
- 8th Duke of Wellington (b. 1915) The current heir-apparent to the title is the 8th Duke's son Arthur Charles Valerian Wellesley, Marquess of Douro (b. August 19, 1945).
Duke of Wellington - The Iron Duke
The opposition of Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, to parliamentary reform made him unpopular, and he earned the nickname 'The Iron Duke' when he erected iron shutters on the windows of his London home, Apsley House, to prevent them being smashed by angry crowds.
The Duke of Wellington Pub
Positioned in Southampton's historic Bugle Street, the Duke of Wellington Pub was originally built upon Norman vaults and cellars in 1220. In 1494 the pub was named Bere House or Brew House, but by 1771 the pub was renamed the Shipwrights Arms. After the Battle of Waterloo in June 1815, the owners of the pub celebrated by changing its name to that of the victorious Duke of Wellington who had become a national hero.
The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment
The Duke of Wellington’s Regiment (West Riding), known as the ‘Dukes’, was formed by Colonel George Hastings, 8th Earl of Huntington, in 1702. The regiment was originally named Huntington’s Regiment. The name evolved according to the colonel in charge at the time. This happened until 1751 when it became known as 33rd of Foot and finally in 1782 it was simplified to 33rd. It was at this time that an association was formed with the West Riding of Yorkshire.
The ‘Dukes’ are currently serving as part of 4 (Armoured) Brigade in the South-East of Iraq.
External Links
The Duke of Wellington Pub - http://southampton-pubs.co.uk/dukeofwellington/
Duke of Wellington Regiment - http://www.dwr.org.uk/index.php?id=1
Bio of the “Iron Duke” - http://www.victorianweb.org/history/pms/wellington.html
