Duke of Wellington (title)
Arthur Wellesley, born Wesley in 1769, defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo. He fought some sixty battles during his military career. Historical texts consider him "the conqueror of Napoleon". He stands as one of the finest soldiers that Great Britain and Ireland has ever produced. His victories included the Siege of Seringapatam against Tipu Sultan in 1799. The London Gazette of the 4th of June 1814 refers to him having the title of Duke of Wellington. This document suggests it was granted by warrant on the 25th of August 1812. He returned home a hero following Napoleon's abdication. The titles were bestowed upon him on the 3rd of May 1814 after he returned from Spain.
Richard Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, looked around for a suitable name. He discovered a manor in the parish of Wellington, Somerset, was available. It was also reasonably close to the family name. Arthur was still in Spain in command of the army fighting the French when Richard oversaw the purchase. By this process Arthur therefore became Marquess of Wellington. According to the book Wellington as Military Commander by Michael Glover, Arthur Wellesley first signed himself 'Wellington' on the 16th of September 1809. The dukedom derives from Wellington in Somerset. The Prince Regent created the title on behalf of George III. The first Duke's father, Garret Wesley, had been granted the title of Earl of Morningion in 1760.
The Dukes of Wellington hold the titles of Prince of Waterloo of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. They also hold the title of Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo of the Kingdom of Spain with Grandeeship. These foreign peerages were granted as victory titles for distinguished service abroad. The Peninsular War took place in both Spain and Portugal. The Battle of Waterloo occurred in what is now Belgium. A large estate outside Granada, Spain, was granted to the first duke by Spanish King Ferdinand VII. This land served as a reward for his services in the Peninsular War. Five Dukes have been created Knights of the Garter, the most senior British order of knighthood.
Arthur Richard Wellesley succeeded his father in 1852 and held the title until 1884. He was the son of the preceding Duke. Henry Wellesley followed him from 1884 to 1900 as the nephew of the preceding holder. Arthur Charles Wellesley held the position from 1900 to 1934 as the brother of the preceding Duke. The sixth Duke, Henry Valerian George Wellesley, died unmarried in 1943 after holding the title since 1941. Gerald Wellesley became the seventh Duke in 1943 and served until 1972. He was the uncle of the preceding holder. The current ninth Duke, born in 1945, has held the title since 2014. His mother was Princess Antonia of Prussia.
The family seat is Stratfield Saye House near Basingstoke, Hampshire. This property has been the home since the first Duke's acquisition. Apsley House in London is now owned by English Heritage. The family retain an apartment there despite the transfer of ownership. The first Duke received a large estate outside Granada, Spain, as a reward for his services. This land was granted by Spanish King Ferdinand VII during the Peninsular War. The titles of Earl of Mornington and Viscount Wellesley were inherited in 1863. These titles had existed since 1760 but remained dormant until that year.
Should the direct male line of succession from the first Duke become extinct, the dukedom will become extinct. The subsidiary titles in the British peerage will also cease to exist. The titles of Prince of Waterloo in the Dutch peerage will end with the male line. The dukedom of the Victory and its subsidiary titles in the Portuguese peerage will follow suit. However, the dukedom of Ciudad Rodrigo in the Spanish peerage continues in the female line of descendants. The earldom and barony of Mornington revert to the line of the Earl Cowley. This line descends from a younger brother of the first Duke of Wellington. Richard Colley adopted the name Wellesley on the 23rd of December 1719 through marriage to Elizabeth Sale.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the title Duke of Wellington granted to Arthur Wellesley?
The London Gazette of the 4th of June 1814 refers to him having the title of Duke of Wellington. The titles were bestowed upon him on the 3rd of May 1814 after he returned from Spain.
Who created the title Duke of Wellington for Arthur Wellesley?
The Prince Regent created the title on behalf of George III. Richard Wellesley, Earl of Mornington, discovered a manor in the parish of Wellington, Somerset, which served as the source for the dukedom name.
What foreign peerages do the Dukes of Wellington hold today?
The Dukes of Wellington hold the titles of Prince of Waterloo of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo of the Kingdom of Spain with Grandeeship. These foreign peerages were granted as victory titles for distinguished service abroad during the Peninsular War.
Which family members have held the title Duke of Wellington since 1852?
Arthur Richard Wellesley succeeded his father in 1852 and held the title until 1884. Henry Wellesley followed him from 1884 to 1900 as the nephew of the preceding holder, and Arthur Charles Wellesley held the position from 1900 to 1934 as the brother of the preceding Duke.
Where is the family seat of the Duke of Wellington located?
The family seat is Stratfield Saye House near Basingstoke, Hampshire. This property has been the home since the first Duke's acquisition, while Apsley House in London is now owned by English Heritage.