Arthur Wellesley Facts & Worksheets

PARTICIPATION IN THE PENINSULAR WAR AND HUNDRED DAYS

• In September 1805, Major-General Wellesley, newly returned from his successful campaigns in India, sought a new assignment and encountered Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson in the waiting room of the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies. Initially unimpressed by Nelson's vain and silly demeanour, Wellesley's perception changed during a subsequent conversation where Nelson, upon learning Wellesley's identity, adopted a more serious and equal tone. 
• The two men engaged in a discussion on the war, the state of the colonies, and geopolitical matters. Despite this being their only meeting, the exchange left a lasting impression on Wellesley, who found the conversation highly interesting. Nelson's victory at Trafalgar occurred seven weeks later, marking the end of their interaction.
• After serving in the unsuccessful Anglo-Russian expedition to north Germany in 1805, Wellesley took an extended leave from the army. In January 1806, he was elected as a Tory Member of Parliament for Rye and later for Newport on the Isle of Wight a year later. Concurrently, Wellesley assumed the role of Chief Secretary for Ireland under the Duke of Richmond and became a privy councillor. 
• During this time in Ireland, he made verbal assurances regarding the enforcement of Penal Laws with moderation, possibly foreshadowing his later support for Catholic emancipation. 
• In May 1807, while in Ireland, Wellesley learnt of the British expedition to Denmark-Norway and decided to participate. 
• He was appointed to command an infantry brigade in the Second Battle of Copenhagen, where his men took 1,500 prisoners. 
• Wellesley returned to England by 30 September 1807, and was subsequently promoted to the rank of lieutenant general on 25 April 1808. 
• In June 1808, he accepted command of an expedition destined for South America but was instead ordered to sail for Portugal to join the Peninsular Campaign.
• On 12 July 1808, Arthur Wellesley left Cork to join the war against French forces in the Iberian Peninsula. He demonstrated his command skills by defeating the French at the Battle of Roliça and the Battle of Vimeiro in 1808. However, he was subsequently superseded in command, and General Dalrymple signed the controversial Convention of Sintra, allowing the French army to be transported out of Lisbon with their loot. Wellesley, along with Dalrymple, faced a Court of Enquiry upon their return to Britain. Although Wellesley had agreed to the preliminary armistice, he had not signed the convention and was cleared of any wrongdoing.
• In January 1809, amid Napoleon's efforts to quell a Spanish revolt, British Commander Sir John Moore died during the Battle of Corunna. Despite challenges in the broader war against France, the Peninsula became a theatre of effective resistance for the British and Portuguese. As the leader of all British forces in Portugal, Wellesley strategically retreated into Portugal following the Battle of Talavera in 1809, earning him the title of Viscount Wellington of Talavera. 
• In 1810, Wellesley implemented strategic measures, including slowing Marshal Masséna at Buçaco and constructing the Lines of Torres Vedras, preventing the French from taking the Lisbon Peninsula. 
• In 1811, he checked Masséna at the Battle of Fuentes de Oñoro, and his promotion to full general in July 1811 recognised his services.
• In 1812, Arthur Wellesley achieved military successes, capturing Ciudad Rodrigo, storming Badajoz, and winning decisively at the Battle of Salamanca, earning him the titles of Earl and later Marquess of Wellington. Despite a failed attempt to capture Burgos, he strategically withdrew from advancing French forces under Soult and Marmont. 
• In 1813, Wellesley launched a successful offensive, outflanking the French through the Tras os Montes hills and prompting their retreat from Madrid and Burgos. 
• The Battle of Vitoria showcased his leadership, although British troops breaking ranks to loot prompted his famous comment about having 'the scum of the earth'. 
• Following Vitoria, he faced challenges at San Sebastián, forced Soult's retreat through battles at the Pyrenees, Bidassoa and Nivelle, invaded southern France with victories at the Nive and Orthez, and achieved a final encounter with Soult at Toulouse, agreeing to a ceasefire due to news of Napoleon's defeat and abdication.
• In recognition of his military triumphs, Arthur Wellesley was hailed as a conquering hero and made Duke of Wellington on 3 May 1814. His popularity in Britain was not only due to his military successes but also to his image and appearance, influencing fashion trends of the time. His tall, lean figure, plumed black hat, and classic uniform became widely popular. He served as Ambassador to France and later took Lord Castlereagh's place as the first plenipotentiary to the Congress of Vienna. On 2 January 1815, his Knighthood of the Bath was elevated to Knight Grand Cross with the expansion of the order.
• On 26 February 1815, Napoleon escaped from Elba and returned to France, swiftly regaining control of the country by May and facing renewed opposition from the Allies. In what became known as the Waterloo Campaign, Wellington left Vienna and assumed command of the British-German army alongside Dutch and Prussian forces led by Generalfeldmarschall Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher.