Wellington’s Cloak

a photo of a long grey cloak with brass button and brown suede collar
a photo of a long grey cloak with brass button and brown suede collar
a photo of a long grey cloak with brass button and brown suede collar
a photo of a long grey cloak with brass button and brown suede collar

This mud-spattered garment was the very cloak worn by the Duke of Wellington at the Battle of Waterloo and during the campaign of 15-18 June, 1815.

The Duke dressed plainly; in manner, as well as in dress, he usually showed a dislike of pomp and fuss. Curiously, his adversary at Waterloo, Napoleon Bonaparte, also dressed fairly simply.

The cloak would have given protection to the Duke when it was worn during the tremendous storm during the night of the 17 June, the night before the battle.

The cloak is made from a high quality blue woollen fabric, probably broadcloth, and it has a hem at the bottom. There is a silk velvet collar faded to brown, which was probably black originally. The grey coloured loop on the left hand side of the collar would allow the collar to be turned up and buttoned in bad weather. There appears to be a line of stitching along the front edges which held the facings in place. The buttons are of a yellow metal, probably gilded brass.

The Duke later gave the cloak to Lady Caroline Lamb. She in turn gave it to a surgeon, Anthony Carlisle, and he then donated it to a prominent civil servant, Grosvenor Charles Bedford.

This historical garment has recently been acquired by the National Army Museum.

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