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Quiz about Wellington The Iron Duke
Quiz about Wellington The Iron Duke

Wellington, The Iron Duke Trivia Quiz


Part One of three quizzes dealing with the British military hero Arthur Wellesley, the 1st Duke of Wellington. This quiz covers the years 1769-1808.

A multiple-choice quiz by elbereth_03. Estimated time: 9 mins.
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Author
elbereth_03
Time
9 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
315,132
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
15
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
8 / 15
Plays
642
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
- -
Question 1 of 15
1. Arthur Wellesley was the third surviving son of Garret Wesley, Earl of Mornington and Anne Hill. Strangely, the exact date and location of young Arthur Wellesley's birth are disputed. Which of the following dates did the Duke himself regard as his birthday, which is also accepted by modern biographers? Hint


Question 2 of 15
2. While growing up, the young Arthur Wellesley was not a promising boy, especially compared to his brilliant elder brother and heir to his father's estates, Richard. He was sent to various schools, Eton included, but was at most a mediocre student, preferring to spend his spare time playing the violin rather than join in games with other boys. His mother, exasperated by her son, stated that he was nothing but ... Hint


Question 3 of 15
3. In 1786, Arthur, with limited prospects as a mediocre third son, was sent to the Academy of Equitation at Angers, France. On his return to England, his brother Richard obtained for him a commission in the Army first as ensign and then as lieutenant and captain. In the period between 1787 and 1793, Arthur spent most of his time in Ireland, dabbling in various roles and offices. Which of the following tasks did he NOT perform? Hint


Question 4 of 15
4. It was during the 1790s in Ireland that Arthur Wellesley courted and fell in love with Lady Catherine Sarah Dorothea ("Kitty") Pakenham, the younger sister of Lord Longford. In 1793, after obtaining his commission as major, he proposed to her, only to be rejected by Kitty's brother who did not think that young Arthur had the means to support her. It was a hard blow. Heartbroken, Arthur vowed to better himself in military matters and in a symbolic gesture that his days of idleness were over, what did he do? Hint


Question 5 of 15
5. In the meantime, the outbreak of war with Revolutionary France that year meant that Arthur would, for the first time, see battle. As a lieutenant-colonel commanding the 33rd foot, he was to reinforce the Army under the command of the Duke of York in Flanders, where the campaign of invasion into France, although it had begun successfully, was slowly turning into a blundering disaster. On the 15 September 1794, during the Army's retreat, Arthur Wellesley fought his first battle, checking the French pursuit. Where? Hint


Question 6 of 15
6. Arthur Wellesley was soon posted to the India and was joined by Richard, who had been appointed Governer-General of India. Together, they worked to extend British interest and influence in India. One of their first targets was the Kingdom of Mysore, whose ruler was believed to be plotting with the French to overthrow the British. Known as the "Tiger of Mysore", Wellesley took part in the military expedition launched against him, and contributed to the fall and capture of his capital city Seringapatam. Who was he? Hint


Question 7 of 15
7. After the fall of Seringapatam, Wellesley was appointed Governor of Mysore over the heads of many, more senior, officers. News of his commanding an expedition to capture Mauritius from the French arrived in 1801, but before he could set out, he found out that the destination had changed to Egypt and, under the orders of his own brother, he was to be superseded by General Baird. He was, however, unable to take up the post as second-in-command as he had developed which sickness/disease? Hint


Question 8 of 15
8. In 1802, Wellesley was temporarily promoted to the rank of Major-General. In 1803, the brothers' attentions turned to overcoming the Maratha confederacy. For the first time in his life, Wellesley was given overall command of the military operation. What important lesson did Wellesley learn in this campaign that he would hold to for the rest of his military life, and on which he based all his subsequent tactics and strategies? Hint


Question 9 of 15
9. Wellesley's army chased the retreating Marathas across the country. Due to the difficulty of moving a large army through Indian terrain, he had split his men, sending a division under General Stevenson to the west. Wellesley had intended, with his two armies, to flank the Maratha army at a town called Borkadan. However, Wellesley was surprised to discover the Marathas camped near the town of Assaye, situated in the junction between two rivers. Fearing that they would escape, Wellesley ordered an immediate attack. It was a bloody battle, but at the end of the day, it became Wellesley's first major victory. What were the numerical odds before the battle? Hint


Question 10 of 15
10. Assaye was not the end of the war against the Marathas. Wellesley led his army to fight several more times against them before a peace treaty was signed. It was also approaching the end of Richard's term as Governor-General, and Wellesley himself was anxious to return to England and to Europe where the "real war" against Napoleon was being carried on. Before he left India, however, he received news from London of his reward for the Battle of Assaye. What was it? Hint


Question 11 of 15
11. Wellesley left India on the 10th March 1805, sailing home with Admiral Rainier on his flagship HMS Trident. The journey was not without note, as one of the most curious coincidences in history occurred. What was it? Hint


Question 12 of 15
12. During his voyage home, Wellesley found out that his brother Richard had been recalled from India because of official dissatisfaction with his Maratha policy. Once he arrived in London, Wellesley immediately set about lobbying the government on Richard's behalf. In the course of doing so that he visited Downing Street for talks with leading ministers like Pitt and Castlereagh, and famously bumped into whom? Hint


Question 13 of 15
13. 1806 was a year of change for Wellesly. He obtained a parliamentary seat in the constituency of Rye so that he could more effectively defend his brother in the House of Commons. He also proposed to and married Kitty, the girl whose family had rejected him so many years ago. Which of the following statements about their relationship since that dark day for Wellesley is true? Hint


Question 14 of 15
14. A brief diversion from Wellesley's involvement in politics and personal life occurred in 1807 when he joined an expeditionary force to mainland Europe in an attempt to prevent a neutral country from joining in Napoleon's continental blockade, which disrupted Britain's trade and commerce. Which city did the joint Royal Navy and Army forces attack? Hint


Question 15 of 15
15. It was, in many ways, the calm before the storm. As the movement against French rule in the Iberian Peninsular gathered pace, Wellesley found himself extremely busy on both the political and military side. He was given a ministerial post in the Portland Ministry. Which cabinet post did Arthur Wellesley take up in the spring of 1807? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Arthur Wellesley was the third surviving son of Garret Wesley, Earl of Mornington and Anne Hill. Strangely, the exact date and location of young Arthur Wellesley's birth are disputed. Which of the following dates did the Duke himself regard as his birthday, which is also accepted by modern biographers?

Answer: 1st May, 1769

The commonly accepted location of Arthur Wellesley's birth was the Wesley family home in Dublin: 6 Merrion Street (Now 24 Upper Merrion Street). Other places that have been suggested as a possible birthplace are Dangan Castle, the Wesley family seat, Trim, Laracor, Mornington, Athboy and Athy. Although he was born in Ireland, Arthur did not see himself as Irish, reportedly retorting to suggestions otherwise that: "Being born in a stable doesn't make one a horse."

Wellesley's siblings included Richard(1760-1842), William(1763-1845), Anne(1768-1844), Gerard Valerian(1770-1848) and Henry(1779-1847). Interestingly, although his father's name was Wesley, the sons later changed it to "Wellesley" in about 1797, which was the older form used up to the 17th century before it was changed to the shorter "Wesley".
2. While growing up, the young Arthur Wellesley was not a promising boy, especially compared to his brilliant elder brother and heir to his father's estates, Richard. He was sent to various schools, Eton included, but was at most a mediocre student, preferring to spend his spare time playing the violin rather than join in games with other boys. His mother, exasperated by her son, stated that he was nothing but ...

Answer: "Food for powder"

Arthur had inherited his father's musical talents; Garret Wesley was an amateur musician and Professor of Music at Trinity College, Dublin. But Arthur's gift for music did not please his mother, who believed that their family fortune had been whittled away by her husband's unprofitable passion for music.

When Garret died in 1781 (when Arthur was only 12 years old), he left behind a mountain of debts.
3. In 1786, Arthur, with limited prospects as a mediocre third son, was sent to the Academy of Equitation at Angers, France. On his return to England, his brother Richard obtained for him a commission in the Army first as ensign and then as lieutenant and captain. In the period between 1787 and 1793, Arthur spent most of his time in Ireland, dabbling in various roles and offices. Which of the following tasks did he NOT perform?

Answer: Leader of the local milita

Despite obtaining his officer's commission, Arthur was not yet set on his military career. He still spent much time playing the violin and reading books. As aide-de-camp, he spent many evenings at balls and feasts dancing, drinking and escorting ladies.

He engaged in the many typical activities of youth and developed a passion for gambling. He once won 150 guineas by walking from Cornelscourt to Leeson Street in under a hour. It is not surprising that he was often in debt, and had to borrow continuously.

In later life, he said, in regards to his youth: "Debt makes a slave of a man. I have often known what it was to be in want of money, but I never got helplessley into debt."
4. It was during the 1790s in Ireland that Arthur Wellesley courted and fell in love with Lady Catherine Sarah Dorothea ("Kitty") Pakenham, the younger sister of Lord Longford. In 1793, after obtaining his commission as major, he proposed to her, only to be rejected by Kitty's brother who did not think that young Arthur had the means to support her. It was a hard blow. Heartbroken, Arthur vowed to better himself in military matters and in a symbolic gesture that his days of idleness were over, what did he do?

Answer: Burnt his violin

Despite the rejection, Arthur believed, or hoped, that he might one day be able to marry Kitty. Writing a letter to her, he said that if his prospects improved, or if her brother changed his mind, "my mind will remain the same." Those were to be the last words they exchanged until Arthur returned from India.
5. In the meantime, the outbreak of war with Revolutionary France that year meant that Arthur would, for the first time, see battle. As a lieutenant-colonel commanding the 33rd foot, he was to reinforce the Army under the command of the Duke of York in Flanders, where the campaign of invasion into France, although it had begun successfully, was slowly turning into a blundering disaster. On the 15 September 1794, during the Army's retreat, Arthur Wellesley fought his first battle, checking the French pursuit. Where?

Answer: Boxtel

Thanks to Arthur's rearguard action, the British were able to continue their retreat northwards to be evacuated back to Britain. During the campaign, Arthur saw military organization at its worst, as the army starved and froze due to poor supply and tactics.

The lessons of the Flanders campaign would remain with him throughout the rest of his life. When he was older, he reflected that Flanders taught him "what one ought not to do; and that is always something!"
6. Arthur Wellesley was soon posted to the India and was joined by Richard, who had been appointed Governer-General of India. Together, they worked to extend British interest and influence in India. One of their first targets was the Kingdom of Mysore, whose ruler was believed to be plotting with the French to overthrow the British. Known as the "Tiger of Mysore", Wellesley took part in the military expedition launched against him, and contributed to the fall and capture of his capital city Seringapatam. Who was he?

Answer: Tipu Sultan

Although the siege and capture of Seringapatam was an eventual success, Wellesley experienced one of his most humiliating failures. During a night assault early on in the siege, he lost control of his soldiers in the confusion of the dark and enemy fire, the terrain which they had to traverse not having been properly examined and surveyed. It is widely believe that if Richard had not been Governor General, Wellesley would have been court-martialled for his actions that day.

However, he was to take a part in the final assault on the city, during which Tipu Sultan was killed. Wellesley himself was responsible for identifying the body. It has been said that Tipu was killed by a British soldier who liked the look of the ruby in his turban!
7. After the fall of Seringapatam, Wellesley was appointed Governor of Mysore over the heads of many, more senior, officers. News of his commanding an expedition to capture Mauritius from the French arrived in 1801, but before he could set out, he found out that the destination had changed to Egypt and, under the orders of his own brother, he was to be superseded by General Baird. He was, however, unable to take up the post as second-in-command as he had developed which sickness/disease?

Answer: Malabar Itch

The Malabar Itch is a skin infection caused by the fungus Trichophyton, resulting in outbreaks of patches of concentric rings. Wellesley's health had never been good, and in such a climate as India, he was to suffer often from various maladies. Wellesley was bitterly upset over Richard's actions and it took some time before his resentment over his supersession cooled. For posterity, this incident with Baird showed how confident Wellesley was in his own ability to command, as well as his desire and eagerness to prove himself.
8. In 1802, Wellesley was temporarily promoted to the rank of Major-General. In 1803, the brothers' attentions turned to overcoming the Maratha confederacy. For the first time in his life, Wellesley was given overall command of the military operation. What important lesson did Wellesley learn in this campaign that he would hold to for the rest of his military life, and on which he based all his subsequent tactics and strategies?

Answer: Maintenance of a supply and communication line with base

Wellesley knew that an invading army eating its own food instead of foraging would not arouse the unnecessary wrath of the local populace. He knew the importance of maintaining a communication line to his base, along which he could retreat if things went wrong. This was to be particularly important reason for his success in the Peninsular War, and would explain his actions during Waterloo.

In this campaign against the Marathas, in order to establish a secure post and point from which to launch his attack against their army, Wellesley easily captured the city of Ahmednuggur - so easily, in fact, that an opposing officer commented: "The English are a strange people, and their general a wonderful man. They came here in the morning, looked at the wall, walked over it, killed the garrison, and returned to breakfast! Who can withstand them!"
9. Wellesley's army chased the retreating Marathas across the country. Due to the difficulty of moving a large army through Indian terrain, he had split his men, sending a division under General Stevenson to the west. Wellesley had intended, with his two armies, to flank the Maratha army at a town called Borkadan. However, Wellesley was surprised to discover the Marathas camped near the town of Assaye, situated in the junction between two rivers. Fearing that they would escape, Wellesley ordered an immediate attack. It was a bloody battle, but at the end of the day, it became Wellesley's first major victory. What were the numerical odds before the battle?

Answer: A 5:1 advantage to the Maratha Army

The Marathas had an approximate strength of 50,000 men and over 100 guns. Wellesley had no more than 10,000 men and only 17 guns. That he managed to beat such an overwhelmingly superior force, albeit at a 30% casualty rate, was a remarkable achievement on Wellesley's part and a sign of what was to come.

Instead of meeting the Maratha army head on, Wellesley maneuvered his troops so that they would cross a ford (which, according to a local guide, didn't exist) a few miles downstream and flank the enemy. Wellesley took an active part in the battle, going from one place to the next and even leading a cavalry charge against the Maratha gunners. During the battle, he had one horse shot from underneath and another fatally wounded by a pike. In his later years, after all his victories in Spain and at Waterloo, Wellesley stated that Assaye was his finest battle.
10. Assaye was not the end of the war against the Marathas. Wellesley led his army to fight several more times against them before a peace treaty was signed. It was also approaching the end of Richard's term as Governor-General, and Wellesley himself was anxious to return to England and to Europe where the "real war" against Napoleon was being carried on. Before he left India, however, he received news from London of his reward for the Battle of Assaye. What was it?

Answer: The Order of the Bath

The story goes that one of Wellesley's old friends, Sir John Cradock, quietly slipped into the General's tent while the General was sleep and deftly pinned the Bath order star on to his coat. He was now Sir Arthur Wellesley, Knight Grand Cross of the Bath. Confirmation of his promotion to Major General came later, when he returned to England. For now, he would leave India not only having established his military reputation, but also as a rich man, and he was able to repay all his debts.
11. Wellesley left India on the 10th March 1805, sailing home with Admiral Rainier on his flagship HMS Trident. The journey was not without note, as one of the most curious coincidences in history occurred. What was it?

Answer: He stayed for a while on St Helena

St Helena's was the island to which Napoleon was to be exiled after his defeat at Waterloo. Wellesley spent a month on the island during his return voyage, portentously staying at the same place, The Briaris, as Napoleon would stay while waiting for his residence Longwood to be prepared for him. Wellesley, who arrived at St Helena's during the summer, declared its climate to be "the most healthy I have ever lived in," although Napoleon notoriously complained about the terrible weather while he was living his exile.
12. During his voyage home, Wellesley found out that his brother Richard had been recalled from India because of official dissatisfaction with his Maratha policy. Once he arrived in London, Wellesley immediately set about lobbying the government on Richard's behalf. In the course of doing so that he visited Downing Street for talks with leading ministers like Pitt and Castlereagh, and famously bumped into whom?

Answer: Admiral Horatio Nelson

Wellesley's initial impression of Nelson wasn't very flattering, as he recounted: "[Nelson] entered at once into conversation with me, if I can call it conversation, for it was almost all on his side, and all about himself, and, really, in a style so vain and silly as to surprise and almost disgust me. I suppose something that I happened to say may have made him guess that I was some-boy..."

Nelson then left the room to inquire about the general, and returned, his attitude much changed. Wellesly commented: "All that I thought a charlatan style had vanished, and he talked ... with a good sense, and a knowledge of subjects both at home and aboard that surprised me equally and more agreeably than the first part of our interview had done."

This was the only time these two famous British commanders met. Nelson was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar a month later.
13. 1806 was a year of change for Wellesly. He obtained a parliamentary seat in the constituency of Rye so that he could more effectively defend his brother in the House of Commons. He also proposed to and married Kitty, the girl whose family had rejected him so many years ago. Which of the following statements about their relationship since that dark day for Wellesley is true?

Answer: The first time Wellesley saw Kitty again was on their wedding day

There was absolutely no direct contact between Wellesley and Kitty while the former was in India; news of each other was obtained through newspaper (!) snippets, and through Kitty's friend, Olivia Sparrow, to whom Wellesley often wrote. In 1802, Kitty had briefly courted a young officer, Galbraith Lowry Cole, who was to be one of Wellesley's Peninsular officers, but broke off the engagement. Wellesley had considered his words "my mind will remain the same" a gentleman's oath, and thus binding. So despite Kitty's anxiety that they'd not seen each other for over a decade, he went ahead with the marriage. On the wedding day, when the couple saw each other for the first time, Wellesley whispered to his brother George: "She has grown ugly, by Jove!"

Kitty was to bear Wellesley two sons, Arthur and Charles, but their marriage was not to be a happy one.
14. A brief diversion from Wellesley's involvement in politics and personal life occurred in 1807 when he joined an expeditionary force to mainland Europe in an attempt to prevent a neutral country from joining in Napoleon's continental blockade, which disrupted Britain's trade and commerce. Which city did the joint Royal Navy and Army forces attack?

Answer: Copenhagen

The Royal Navy was commanded by Admiral James Gambier, who was later to be tried at his own request by court martial to respond to allegations of incompetence during an attack on French ships at Basque Roads. Wellesley's role in the attack was to encircle the city and put pressure on it to capitulate.

Interestingly, Copenhagen, Wellesley's famous charger in the Peninsular and at Waterloo, was named after this battle.
15. It was, in many ways, the calm before the storm. As the movement against French rule in the Iberian Peninsular gathered pace, Wellesley found himself extremely busy on both the political and military side. He was given a ministerial post in the Portland Ministry. Which cabinet post did Arthur Wellesley take up in the spring of 1807?

Answer: Chief Secretary of Ireland

Wellesley was to prove an extremely competent Chief Secretary. His experience of Ireland that was to provide much of his Catholic sympathy in this job and in his later political life. It is of note that the Wellesley brothers, despite their continued loyalty to each other, differed greatly on the issues of the day. By this time, Richard's star had fallen with the various attacks on his actions in India and his highly publicized sex scandals.

His brother, the young boy whom his mother had thought was nothing but "food for powder", was soon to prove his worth on the European stage in the grand style.
Source: Author elbereth_03

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
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