Viscount Combermere's statue in Chester

By Sarah Griffiths on Jan 13, 09 08:25 AM in 1800-1899

This familiar landmark stands outside the entrance to Chester Castle and shows Stapleton Stapleton-Cotton, the first Viscount Combermere.

The colourful story behind this figure relates to the subject's distinguished military and political service at home and overseas. Stapleton-Cotton was born in 1773, lived at the family seat at Combermere Abbey in Shropshire, and entered the army aged 16 as a second-lieutenant. He rose through the ranks to become one of the leading cavalry officers in Europe and was reportedly a friend of both the Duke of Wellington and George III.

Having served in Flanders, Stapleton-Cotton then travelled to India between 1796 and 1799 where he took part in the storming of Seringapatam. He then travelled to Ireland, being promoted to major-general in 1805. Between 1806 and 1809 he served as the Member of Parliament for Newark and succeeded to the baronetcy in 1809, despite leaving for Portugal in the previous year to command a brigade in the Peninsular War. The actions of his men were critical to the victories at Talavera and Salamanca and led to the personal thanks of the Duke of Wellington and the award of the Order of the Bath. His splendid appearance for battle also led to his nickname of the 'Lion of Gold' by the Spaniards. A serious arm injury in 1812 necessitated a spell at home but he returned to play his part in the Battle of Orthes, which saw the retreat of the French.

In 1817 he was appointed Commander General and Governor of Barbados, before travelling to India in 1825 to become Commander-in-Chief. He played an important part in the storming of the fortress at Bhurtpore in 1826, which ushered in a 32-year period of peace in the sub-continent. He was awarded the title of Viscount Combermere of Bhurtpore for his efforts in India before returning home to serve as a Member of Parliament from 1830. In 1855 he succeeded the Duke of Wellington as the Constable of the Tower of London and also gained the title of Field Marshall in the same year. He died in February 1865 and was buried at St Margaret's Church in Wrenbury.

In recognition of Viscount Combermere's services to his country, subscribers throughout Cheshire contributed towards the £5,000 cost of the bronze equestrian statue by Baron Carlo Marochetti. This was unveiled in October 1865 in Chester and still provides a reminder of the varied career of this well-travelled individual. Further evidence of his life is an obelisk placed in the grounds of Combermere Abbey by his wife and a memorial in Wrenbury Church. This lists the 17 battles fought by the subject and an epitaph by Gray: 'the paths of glory lead but to the grave'.

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