Georgiana de Ros

A small collection of memorabilia and ephemera connected with Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington and Georgiana Lennox (de Ros)

Lady Georgiana Lennox was born to the 4th Duke and Duchess of Richmond on 30th September 1795. Her early years were spent on the Goodwood Estate, before moving to Dublin in 1807 when her father was made Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. It was here that Georgy, as she was known by friends and family, first met Sir Arthur Wellesley, recently returned from his adventures securing Southern India against the French.

Wellington and the Richmond family became very close, and Georgy rode out daily with the 'Great Sir Arthur'. In 1815 the family relocated to Brussels where they witnessed first-hand the events that led to the Battle of Waterloo in June. It was Georgy's mother's ball that took place the night before before fighting broke out, and Georgy's later account of that remarkable evening would become one of the most reliable and interesting recollections of the time.

She wrote: 'When the Duke ( of Wellington ) arrived, rather late to the Ball I was dancing, but at once went up to him to ask about the rumours. He said very gravely,"yes,they are true; we are off tomorrow."This terrible news was circulated directly, and while some of the officers hurried away, others remained at the ball, and actually had not time to change their clothes, but fought in evening costume.

After Waterloo Georgy lived in Paris, often visiting Wellington in Cambrai, before moving back to London. In 1824 she married William Lennox Lascelles Fitzgerald de Ros, who would later succeed his brother and become 23 rd Baron de Ros of Helmsley. The couple were very happy together and had three children Frances, Dudley and Blanche, Georgy and William visited the Duke of Welington regularly at Apsley House and Stratfield Saye, and Georgy made him Blanche's Godfather.

The de Ros family split their time between London and Strangford, Co. Down Ireland, where the family still live today. Georgy met and befriended many remarkable people over her long life. She had met no less than nineteen Prime Ministers, Beginning with William Pitt, and including also Spencer Perceval, Lord Liverpool, George Canning, Lord Palmerston, William Gladstone and Lord Salisbury.

She knew Queen Victoria, and her son Dudley would later become her Majesty,s equerry for a number of years. Every Year on Waterloo Day, Georgy would receive flowers, telegrames and Guests who would come to hear her stories of the Iron Duke. In her 93 rd year she produced, at the behest of many of her friends, My recollections of the 1st Duke of Wellington in Murray magazine. Georgy died in London on 15 th December 1891 at the grand old age of 96 and is buried in the private family chapel in Strangford, Ireland.

Wellingtons peninsular war Prayer book

Georgy's account of her seeking out the Spanish Prayer book from the Duke's library and its fascinating history is best left to her own hand. Taken from Blanche Arthur Georgina Swinton's book A sketch of the life of Georgiana Lady de Ros.

One Day, when we were at Stratfield Saye,the Duke of Wellington was alluding to having learnt Spanish from a Spanish translation of the English Prayer book, Which was given to him when he was going to take command (1808- 9 ) in Spain, by Lady Elinor Butler, the Duke, then Sir Arthur Wellesley, having visited her and Miss Ponsonby at their cottage at Llangollen,as he went through Wales from Ireland. On my asking him what had become of the prayer Book, "Oh,it's somewhere in the library here," was the answer. Whereupon I searched untill I found it, with no name, or anything to tell it's history.

He was very much pleased to see it again. and said he would give it to me, as I had taken such pains to find it, I carried it off at once, Soon afterwards the Duke wrote to ask for it, to show to Dr Bliss, Registrar of the university of Oxford. I sent it, Making a condition that before returning it to me, the Duke would write its history inside-- which he did as follows:-

London June 1837 "This book was given to Lieutenant- General Sir Arthur Wellesley, before he went to command the armies in the Peninsular in 1808, by Lady elinor Butler and Miss Ponsonby, better known as the ladies of Llangollen. He had it in his possession and with him during the whole of the war: and learnt from the perusal thereof what he knows of the Spanish Language. Lady Elinor Butler was a lineal descendant from the Duke of Ormand, who had resided in Spain and to whom probably the book had belonged. The Duke of Wellington gave it to Lady Georgiana de Ros,"

Independently of its great historical interest, as having belonged to the Duke, the prayer book is a literary curiosity-- there being no other copy extant.

Dr Bliss mentions in a letter to the Duke, In my possession, that there is record of a first edition of the prayer book, which is in Christ Church Library, and which appeared in 1707. "Londres Impresso por G.Bower a costa de Fran. Coggan en Inner Temple Lane, 1707" from the fact that no bookseller's name is appended to the second edition, Dr Bliss infers that it was not printed in England, but possibly for dispersion among the british merchants resident in Spain.

The translator Dr Bliss avers to have been a native of seville, but naturalised in England, and admitted into Holy orders, The late Dean Stanley thought that the basis of the translation might have been made in the time of James 1, for the courtship of Prince charles: first because the titlepage mentions that it contains the alterations necessary to accomadate it to the reign of George 1 , and secondly because the Uniformity act of 1662 is omitted: whereas that of 1558 is printed, as well as the proclamation, never published in modern prayer books, of James 1, but from page XXV11 the Prayer book is taken from that of 1662, with the alterations in the fifth reigns of William 111, and Anne. It is an octavo, and has an engraving of George 1 , as frontispiece, and the date is 1715. Edition Segunda, Corregida y Augmentada; Londres, impresso por William Bowyer, Impessor de Libros.

The Ladies of Llangollen Lady elinor Butler Miss Ponsonby

Wellington's Waistcoat

The Duke's waistcoat has a short note attached in Georgy's handwriting "The Duke's waistcoat given to me for a pattern for one I worked for him." From the Dukes correspondence to Georgy it seems she sewed at least two waistcoats one around May 1836 and another in November 1837. Also shown in the photograph are a number of gilt buttons some still in their original package they were made by G. Stulz Clifford Street and have a coronet and the Duke's Initials.

The Wellington letters

This large collection of letters consisting of 140 in total are written to Georgiana Lennox and after her marriage in 1824 to Lady de Ros. The earliest date is 28th June 1815 and the last is 25 th march 1850. Georgiana lived to the great age of 96 and obviously cherished the memories that these letters gave to her, I don’t think she ever let them out of her possession and her Daughter Blanche did not transcribe the letters until after her death.

Georgy from a young age was immensely fond of the Duke and although the content of the letters seem very familiar for this period, there relationship was probably like that of a Father and Daughter. Sadly there are none of Georgy’s letters to the Duke that are known to exist, he was known to suggest destroying all personal correspondence, which he seems to have done, Clearly many of the Duke’s lady friends could not bring themselves to do this,

There are large time spans in some of the letters which is perhaps because some were destroyed or they lived close to each other and the need to correspond was less. Strangely none of Georgy’s diaries are known to exist either, however Blanche did copy some of the entries and on hearing of the Duke’s death Georgy wrote: From childhood I loved and venerated him and invariably received the most un-remitting kindness from him and so many years of unclouded friendship cannot be given up without much suffering.

Georgy’s husband William Fitzgerald de Ros was burdened with the immense responsibility of organising large parts of the funeral procession of the Duke. The content of the letters are mostly of a social nature and they discuss many of the activities and tricks which The Duke and Georgy seemed to enjoy getting up to and they certainly show a different side to the man Known as The Iron Duke.

[Paris Feb 1 1817 I gave a brilliant Ball on the 29th. It wanted you only to be perfect. I want you likewise for another reason. Between ourselves entirely we have been playing the finest trick ever yet performed: and it is unfortunate that so capital an actress as you should be absent on the occasion. We really quite surpassed ourselves and in the best possible way, the way which is my favourite one viz founding our scheme on a fiction invented and circulated by the person on whom the trick was played. We are not yet found out which is fortunate. As you say “it would be a pity if you or I were ever discovered as we are so very innocent”]

The Duke also seems to have taken a very keen interest in Georgy’s suitors and referred to them as the enemy. [Mont St Martin Nov 17th 1816 [We have had but bad hunting since you went; but the weather appears to be becoming more favourable and I hope for some sport tomorrow. I have not seen the enemy. I’ll try to get him to come over here for a day or two that I may know him a little.] Which must have been quite frightening for those concerned, Lord Hotham in this case.

[Paris Jan 3rd 1817 ; I have received your letter of the 27th and I hope soon to send you some poetry notwithstanding that there is less leisure for writing here than there was at the Abbaye. I hear that a terrible accident happened to the last poem.You are a little witch! You never told me that you had bewitched my secretary! He is going about very poorly! Then there is poor Percy too very poorly for Lady Elizabeth Conynham… I did not ask the soupirant to the Abbaye as he asked to go to Bruxelles.I have a very good opinion of him and wish that you like him. I don’t approve of you waiting for the Caprice of the enemy’s guardian.]

She does seem to have had a closeness to Charles Greville the famous diarist and great friend of Henry Fitzgerald who was the elder brother of her future husband. Georgy in turn became very protective of the Duke re his affairs of the heart later in life as he was pursued by many hopeful ladies [Jan 14th 1838 you appear to be anxious about my travels in Staffordshire that I write you one line to tell you that I have evacuated that county in perfect safety! Not having seen or even heard of the enemy.]

The Boars Tail

Georgys amusing story of a Wild Boar hunt. " I used sometimes to ride to cover when there was a boar-hunt and on the 30th october 1817 The Duke Of Wellington killed an enormous boar At Walencourt, of which Feat he was Prouder than of Waterloo! He was very anxious to show me the boar, and I was equally anxious not to see it and Sir George Murray helped me to avoid the unpleasent sight.

The Boars Bristles were given to me, and were mounted for me by Lord Arthur Hill A.D.C. to the Duke, with an Inscription. Bristles of a wild boar 7 feet from nose to tail, 4 feet 2 inches in girth, length of head 19 inches: Killed by THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON at WALLENCOURT on 30 th Oct 1817, when I was out hunting with him. Georgiana Lennox The Handle is turned ebony with silver mounts and an engraving of a hunting scene. The exact purpose of this item is not clear.

The Duke's Hair

The collection consists of three lots of hair belonging to the Duke the first was sent to Georgy in a letter as shown not long after the battle of Waterloo and was very likely to have been on his head at the time of the battle and is the earliest example. The second piece has been woven into the top of a small cedar toothpick box which has a small mirror. Inside is a note in Georgy's hand "Hair of Arthur The 1st Great Duke of Wellington. The third piece was given to Georgy by Kendall , The Duke's man servant ,Who after his passing immediately wrote two letters to Georgy informing her of the event, one to her london home and one to Strangford in case she was there. When they met in person shortly afterwards Kendall gave her an envelope with a small lock of the Duke's hair he is also supposed to have sent a piece to Queen Victoria.

General Miguel de Alava

General Miguel de Alava was a great friend of the Duke and was with him at waterloo he gave her this very pretty engraved mother of pearl gilt bound Diary notebook to Georgy in 1817.

Napoleons Anchor

The attached note states. "This anchor belonged to a model of the flat bottomed boats for the invasion of England, which always stood on Napoleons own writing table at Malmaison" The Flat bottomed boats were a design of floating platform built for the invasion of England.How this came to the collection is uncertain as yet but possibly the Duke was presented with it or aquired it and Georgy persuaded him to give it to her.

Portraits and Prints

Miniature of the Duke of Wellington enamel on copper after Sir T. Lawrence inscribed on the reverse, WELLINGTON Painted by W. Essex 1838 Enamel painter to the queen size 11.5 cm X 9.6 cm

Miniature on Ivory of the Duke of Wellington This is very simiiar to the many Rochard miniatures painted in Brussels in1815 but is unsigned and undated there is some letters on the outer edge but the history of this version is as yet unknown.

Miniature enamel on copper of Georgy as a young lady Artist unknown

The original miniature given to Georgy at the Ball on the 15th June 1815.The Image has been kindly sent by the present Owner.

Pastel of Georgy aged 96 by Countess Feodora Gleichen in 1891.

Print of Georgy the original painting was by James Rannie Swinton a 19th century portrait artist who was married to her daughter Blanche arthur georgina de Ros

William de Ros by Fricero

Georgy's son Dudley

Silver Entree Dishes

This silver entree dishe by Robert Garrard was a wedding present from the Duke of Wellington in 1824 when Georgy at the grand old age of 29 married William Fitzgerald de Ros a young army officer

The Duke's scissors

After the Duke's death William de Ros was invited to Strathfield Saye by the 2nd Duke of Wellington to chose some momento from the Duke's personal belongings.He chose the scissors shown below and the note states, "always used by the great Duke and given by his son to William Lord de Ros," and are engraved with the words "Given to Lord de Ros by the present Duke from the Duke of wellingtons writing table 1852."

Mourning Pin

This mourning or stick pin shows a profile of the Duke and is inscribed with the words "In arms invincible - in council true." It is gilt and enamelled. Stick pins were worn by 19th century gentlemen for fixing through their ties or cravats to keep everything neat and tidy. How this came to the collection is not clear at present, It may have been the Duke's and given to Georgiana or Georgiana maybe had it made after the Dukes Death, It is possibly a hat pin as these tended to be longer than Stick pins.

Items For Sale

The above is a giclee print of the miniature by William Essex 1838 the outside measurments of the frame are 10 " X 8.5" approx. On the reverse is a copy of a letter written to Georgy from the Duke a few weeks after the battle of Waterloo which reads Dearest Georgy I received your letter of the 27th and I now send you a bit of my precious hair. A small piece of the original hair sent to Georgy in the original letter is fixed under the clear disk,It is very probable that this hair was on the Duke's head during the battle,. A print of a miniature of Georgy is positioned top left and the wax impression bottom right is made with a silver seal from the 14th century , Details of the seals discovery and its gift to Georgy's son Dudley make a great story written by Blanche see below. All Profits from the sale of the items listed here will go towards the conservation and restoration of the collection and the maintanance of the website
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Wellington and Georgy always maintained a lively correspondence, unfortunately Wellington destroyed all of Georgy's letters to him. Author Alice-Marie Crossland has piecied back together their relationship and the interesting story of Georgy's life from the fragments of their correspondence still in the de Ros family Archive. The book is entitled Wellington's Dearest Georgy: The life and loves of lady Georgiana Lennox

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Thank you for showing an interest in the website Unfortunantly due to pressures of time we might not be able to respond to all e-mails however any comments or suggested improvments will be taken on board. georgiana-deros@outlook.com