Andrea here. As I’ve mentioned here before, along with my Wrexford & Sloane historical mystery series, I’m working on a new book project in a new-to-me genre within historical fiction— a biography “reimagining” the life of Lady Hester Stanhope, an extraordinary real-life woman from the Regency era.
I n other words, it’s a book that meant to stay accurate to her real life and personality, but requires an author’s imagination to create the story and dialogue that will make her come alive for readers. It’s been a fascinating challenge. I’ve done a lot of research, which I love, and am lucky that Lady Hester was a member of a very prominent family, so many of her letters have been saved, which give special window into her thoughts and feelings.
But I’m digressing from the main topic of this blog, which is how these deep-dive research forays, where one reads as much as possible about a person’s life can become “personal” in very unexpected ways. I have a confession to make! In looking at the three men who were Lady Hester’s love interests, I have come to have a “crush” on one of them— Lieutenant-General Sir John Moore
And the more I read about Moore, the more I admired him. Born in in 1761, he had an interesting life. His father was a well-respected physician in Scotland and served the family of the Duke of Hamilton. When the duke died, his widow asked Moore’s father to take her sixteen-year-old son, now the 8th duke, on the Grand Tour of the continent that was de rigueur for all young gentlemen of the era. Moore agreed, but only on the condition that John, his eldest son, who was twelve, could come along. (That's John in a military coat, the duke in the middle and John's father to the left.)
While John was already interested in a military career, his travels polished his education—he was exposed to art, music, and culture, and read a great deal about philosophy, as well as military history. In the course of their travels, they visited Berlin, and were invited to observe the military maneuvers of Frederick the Great’s army. Frederick was so impressed with John’s military knowledge—he and the boy had lengthy discussions on the subject—that he gifted John with a pair of exquisite Prussian pistols (which he kept to the end of his life) and offered him an officer’s commission in the Austro-Hungarian army. John politely declined. His loyalty lay with Britain. When they returned home, the Duke of Hamilton used his influence to get John an officer’s commission in the 51st regiment—though he had to wait until his fifteenth birthday to join.
And thus began an illustrious career as a courageous soldier and brilliant tactician. Moore fought in America, Holland, Egypt, the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and, finally, Portugal and Spain, earning accolades for his bravery. His men adored him. Unlike most commanders, he didn’t believe in flogging or corporal punishment, but believed discipline came from earning his men’s respect. He treated them well, and battled bureaucrats to ensure that his army had the proper equipment and food.
When the Napoleonic Wars broke out in the early 1800’s, Moore was put in charge of of a training camp in Kent, to teach his innovative tactics of using light infantry—quick-moving battalions and rifle brigades—to give the British Army an edge in fighting. It’s at this time that he first met Lady Hester. Her uncle, the former prime minister William Pitt the Younger, was in charge of the coastal defenses, and Moore was a frequent visitor their residence, Walmer Castle. (Lady Hester, who was living with her uncle, was a superb rider, as was Moore, and in my book I have them bonding over the love of a good gallop over the rolling countryside.
As the fighting between France and Britain engulfed much of Europe, Moore was posted to various hotspots. And while he won accolades on the battlefield, he did not endear himself to Britain’s political leaders, as he was outspoken when he thought their war policies were flawed, and only led to the slaughter of British soldiers. He was sidelines for a time in London, where he reconnected with Lady Hester, and they began a friends-to-(possible) lovers romance. Moore’s criticism of the war on the Peninsula earned him the enmity of leading politicians Canning and Castlereagh. (Lady Hester later accused them of deliberately sending Moore into a dangerous campaign in hopes that he would be killed in battle.)
The government ended up sending Moore to take charge of the army in Portugal, and like a good soldier he went, even though he believed his assignment was going to be a fiasco. History isn’t clear on the subject, but it’s thought that he and Lady Hester became engaged, with the understanding that they would marry when he returned.
Moore turned out to be right, as the Spanish forces, who were supposed to reinforce his men, crumbled when Napoleon march in to reinforce the French army under Soult. Seeing that the only way to save his men was to retreat through the mountain to the coast, where the British Navy could evacuate the army, he fought his way through terrible weather and hardships to bring his men to the the o town of Corunna. The French were hot on their heels, so in order to give his men time to board the ships, he took personal command of a small rearguard force and fought to hold the French at bay. During the battle, he was hit by a cannon ball and mortally wounded. But he refused to let his staff —who were distraught over his injury—carry him off the field until he was sure they had beaten back the French. He died several hours later, and his words, said to Lady Hester’s brother, who was on his staff, “Stanhope, remember me to your sister.”
His body was wrapped in a military cloak and buried on the battlefield, as it was his wish to lie where he had fallen.
One doesn’t often find a true hero in history, but for me, General Sir John Moore is one of those rare men who seem to deserve to be called one. In all my research I have yet to read one bad thing about him . . . so I stand by my historical “crush” on him!
What about you. Have you ever discovered a figure in history that made your heart go pitty-pat? Please share!