112
S T R A T F I E L D S A Y E H O U S E
R E A D I N G , E N G L A N D
H i s G r a c e T h e D u k e o f W e l l i n g t o n K . G . , L . V . O . , O . B . E . ,
M . C .
The “Great Duke” conquered Napoleon to achieve a new fame for his already
distinguished and ancient family. As conquering general he had defeated a
threat to both England and Europe, becoming Queen Victoria’s first Prime
Minister. The Duke’s elder brother was Governor General of India with
ancestors achieving fame in varied fields: Justice Itinerant to Ireland 1261,
Privy Councillor to Queen Elizabeth I, Lord High Constable of England and,
more recently, Standard Bearer at the respective marriages of King Edward VII
and King George V. Magnificent palaces were designed as gifts by a jubilant
and grateful Nation, but the Great Duke preferred the more manageable 1630
Stratfield Saye. The house was filled with great paintings and porcelain, a great
deal of which is now on display in the national museums. The furniture remains,
splendidly reminiscent of the power of Britain at that time, and of the illustrious
ability of the battle commander for whom it was made or collected. The present
and 8th Duke, a Three Star General, whose personally achieved military and
international titles show a breadth of distinction traditional to his family,
lives with his wife at Stratfield Saye, his grown family already making their
mark on history.
