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Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (15 April 1721 [N.S.] – 31 October 1765) was the third and youngest son of King George II of Great Britain and Ireland and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach. He was Duke of Cumberland from 1726. He is best remembered for his role in putting down the Jacobite Rising at the Battle of Culloden in 1746 ...
William Augustus, duke of Cumberland was a British general, nicknamed “Butcher Cumberland” for his harsh suppression of the Jacobite rebellion of 1745. His subsequent military failures led to his estrangement from his father, King George II (reigned 1727–60).
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
In the end, Prince William Augustus died in London in 1765 aged forty-four, not to be remembered fondly. His name, ‘Butcher Cumberland’ was etched into people’s memories as well as the history books. Jessica Brain is a freelance writer specialising in history. Based in Kent and a lover of all things historical.
Culloden Battlefield. Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland lived from 15 April 1721 to 31 October 1765. A younger son of George II and Queen Caroline, he became a celebrated military leader at a very young age and commanded the Government forces that defeated the Jacobites at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.
- Joining The Army
- Army Commander
- The Forty-Five
- A Return to The Continent
- The Seven Years' War
- Later Life
- Selected Sources
Though enrolled with the 2nd Foot Guards at age four, his father desired that he be groomed for the post of Lord High Admiral. Going to sea in 1740, Cumberland sailed as a volunteer with Admiral Sir John Norris during the early years of the War of the Austrian Succession. Not finding the Royal Navy to his liking, he came ashore in 1742 and was perm...
In the course of the fighting, he was hit in the leg and the injury would trouble him for the remainder of his life. Promoted to lieutenant general after the battle, he was made captain-general of British forces in Flanders a year later. Though inexperienced, Cumberland was given command of the Allied army and began planning a campaign to capture P...
Also known as "The Forty-Five," the Jacobite Rising was inspired by the return of Charles Edward Stuart to Scotland. The grandson of the deposed James II, "Bonnie Prince Charlie" raised an army largely composed of the Highland clans and marched on Edinburgh. Taking the city, he defeated a government force at Prestonpans on September 21 before embar...
With matters in Scotland settled, Cumberland resumed command of the Allied army in Flanders in 1747. During this period, a young Lieutenant Colonel Jeffery Amherstserved as his aide. On July 2 near Lauffeld, Cumberland again clashed with Saxe with similar results to their earlier encounter. Beaten, he withdrew from the area. Cumberland's defeat, al...
With the beginning of the Seven Years' Warin 1756, Cumberland returned to field command. Directed by his father to lead the Army of Observation on the Continent, he was tasked with defending the family's home territory of Hanover. Taking command in 1757, he met French forces at the Battle of Hastenbeck on July 26. Badly outnumbered, his army was ov...
Retiring to Cumberland Lodge in Windsor, Cumberland largely avoided public life. In 1760, George II died and his grandson, the young George III, became king. During this period, Cumberland battled with his sister-in-law, the Dowager Princess of Wales, over the role of regent during times of trouble. An opponent of the Earl of Bute and George Grenvi...
Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765) Born: 15th April 1721 at Leicester House, Charing, Middlesex. Duke of Cumberland. Died: 31t October 1765. at Upper Grosvenor Street, Westminster, Middlesex. The Duke of Cumberland, second surviving son of King George II and Queen Caroline, was born at Leicester House at Charing, near London.
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Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland was the third and youngest son of King George II of Great Britain and Ireland and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach ...
