Wellington's Charge: A Portrait of the Duke's England

"Reform Parliament," said the Duke - "tamper with the strongest and finest political system in Europe, the only one that had stood up to France - and you open the way to revolution and anarchy." The Duke of Wellington's charge was for 60 years, England was his cause, his love, his master, and his responsibility. He served his country with an unswerving devotion, as professional soldier, as cabinet minister, and as prime minister. In return he enjoyed a unique level of deference and respect from England's people, politicians, and royalty. Mention the 'Duke', and everyone knew who was being talked about. This instant recognition was a measure of his enormous stature. Wellington's Charge is both the story of the Duke's service to the nation form the 1780s, when first he joined the army, to 1851 when the Great Exhibition opened, shortly before he died; and the story of England during that dramatic period in England's history. The Duke was witness to great changes - many of which he deplored - revolution, industrialization, the reform of Parliament, the beginnings of the welfare state, concession in Ireland, and the rise of free trade - all of which are brought to life vividly in this illuminating and fresh approach to the man and his times. Wellington's Charge is a rich and colorful tapestry of the country the Iron Duke fought for so faithfully and loyally - a celebration of patriotism, duty, and public service.

Berwick Coates holds a Cambridge MA degree in History and has been teaching, lecturing and writing about the subject for forty years. He has been an army officer, a games coach and a teacher of Swahili and English in between. He is married, with three grown-up sons and lives in North Devon.