ERNEST AUGUSTUS, Duke of Cumberland and King of Hanover (1771-1851)

Letter Signed (“Ernest”) to Colonel Gordon, explaining the reason why John Cooke had been recommended for a promotion.
2 pages 4to with integral blank leaf, St. James’, 20 January 1805. 
“As I have understood that there is an explanation required of the reason that has occasioned the recommendation of . . . John Cooke of the 15th Light Dragoons to a cornetcy in the 20th I think it necessary to acquaint you that I was induced to give him up at the particular request of both Lord Heathfield and Col. Gillespie who were anxious to promote him as they were in want of experienced officers and thought he could be very useful to the 20th. . . Cooke is a very active man and . . . I consider him deserving of such appointment.”
The choleric Duke of Cumberland had hoped for a posting on the Continent with the British army, but spent much of the Napoleonic Wars in Britain, commanding troops first in the Severn District, and later on the Southwest coast. For a time, there was a possibility that he might have been the heir apparent to the British throne, but the birth of his elder brother’s daughter, Victoria, intervened. At the death of William IV, however, he succeeded as King of Hanover, as Salic Law which applied in Hanover prevented Victoria from acceding to the title as had the five previous British monarchs.

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