Hi, Jo here. I'm in the middle of edits for my next book, and short of time, but I remembered that back a while someone had asked about how men bought ranks in the army in the Georgian and Regency period. That's an easy topic because I researched it once at the Canadian War Museum library. I checked who'd asked, and it was Elaine Ransil. Elaine, you win a book for having a topic used.
Let's start out simply.
Men paid to attain officer ranks in the British army. They started at the bottom, generally as youths, when someone purchased a slot at the lowest rank, which was cornet in the cavalry and ensign in the infantry. This was popularly called "buying a set of colours." Thereafter, they purchased the next highest rank from someone who held it when that man was either retiring — "selling out" — or moving up the ranks by buying the next highest.
Hence, the Purchase System. 
They money paid in over the years can be seen as an investment, or even a pension plan, because when a man sold out he kept what he was paid for his rank at the time.
It's easy to see it as a corrupt system, but in many ways it worked and of course there were all kinds of variations and nuances. For a start, the Royal Artillery and the Royal Engineers never had the tradition of purchase. Nor did the navy.
So let's get to the details.
From the 17th century onward many wanted to get rid of payment for army commissions in part because advancement didn't depend on ability, but mostly because people bought ranks for schoolboys and even infants. It was a good investment for the lad, but not much use in battle.
In the early 19th century, the Duke Of York instituted changes designed to regulate the purchase system, especially to get rid of the boys and idiots. Anyone who wanted to buy a pair of colours had to apply to the Commander in Chief through his secretary, or in the case of the Horse Guards or Household Cavalry to the colonel of the regiment. The minimum age was set at 16 and the maximum at 18.** The applicant was vetted, and if he passed, his name was entered in a register which also noted whether the commission was to be gained by purchase or not.
**(I'm not sure what happened if someone over 18 wanted to join the army at officer level. Perhaps, since demand for places always exceeded supply, it was impossible. That does cast doubt on novels where the troublesome young gentlemen in their twenties are sent into the army to put their high spirits to better use. )
Note the phase "by purchase or not" up there. The colonels of the Horse Guards and Household Cavalry, or the Commander in Chief, decided who had to pay, but there were guidelines. In 1801, the British military collefe, Sandhurst, had been formed and the graduates with the highest marks got first chance at the non-purchase commissions. Those graduates who did not qualify for free commissions still got priority for the purchase of one. Other cases which got priority were Queen's Pages Of Honor, who gained automatic admission into the Guards; orphans of military officers; and non-commissioned officers of long and distinguished standing.
I thought I'd pop in two officers here. Left is St. Leger, described as the handsomest man in England. Right is Lord Anglesey, whom you might remember from my divorce and duel blog. 
Handsome fellow.
On active service,an officer could be promoted by merit. This was aided by the fact that if an officer died in service the money invested in his rank was lost, and thus a free place appeared lower in the ranks.
Once in as an ensign or cornet, a man who wanted to move up had to produce a recommendation from a field officer before he could purchase the next rank up. He would also have to serve 2 years as a subaltern (ensign, cornet, or lieutenant) before being allowed to purchase captain, and serve a total of 6 years before being able to purchase major.
How was purchase managed?
By army agents, and the person selling a commission was not supposed to have any say in who bought it. A commission was supposed to be offered to the candidate with seniority. If the senior officer could not afford the cost he had to stand aside. In one case, an officer was so popular the men in the regiment chipped in to provide the money needed. No money exchanged hands between individuals. The purchase price went to the army agent, who paid it to the selling officer.
There were commission brokers. This was illegal, but common. They were usually ex-officers who knew the system and knew some influential people. For a fee, they would identify the most likely openings and get the recommendations needed.
Let's look at an example.
Tom's father buys him an ensign's colours in the foot guards. This has become vacant because Lt. Col. Cathcart is retiring and everyone is moving up. Tom's father pays £1,200 into the fund that will go to Cathcart. Major Fane moves up to Lt. Col. paying the difference of £700 to Cathcart's fund. Captain Dunn moves up to major; a more expensive proposition at £3,500 difference. Lieutenant Gross moves up to captain at a differential of £2,750, and Ensign Lowly makes Lt. by paying £850. (These figures are for mid-19th century.)
Thus Cathcart pockets his investment of £9,000 — the "cost" of a Lieutenant Colonel's rank in the Foot Guards. This is, however, probably little more than he has paid out along the way, and with no interest or increase unless the value of commissions in his regiment has increased. So, a retirement savings plan, but not a particularly good one.
Things I haven't figured out yet.
Why did men who died in action lose their investment? I have to assume it was because their dependents would get pensions, but if a parent or kindly uncle laid out a substantial investment for an officer who then died, they'd get nothing back. Again, I can only assume that this was considered a sum given to the man for his life with no expectation of return.
The other oddity is that the purchase system stopped at Lieutenant Colonel. If a man was promoted from Lt. Col to Major General, he lost his investment. This led to many officers retiring at that point rather than lose all, and thus the loss of experienced officers.
If anyone has enlightenment on this, I'd love to know. 
Can't resist including the lovely cover of the omnibus edition of my three military men called George. Two novels and a novella for only $8 in e-book.
Here's a little snippet from a magazine showing how it rippled up.
20th Reg. Foot, Ensign Charles Coote, to be Lieutenant, vice John Reddan , by Purchase.
Ditto, Clifton Wheat, gent. to be Ensign, vice Charles Coote; by Purchase.
(Wheat has entered the army and Coote has moved up.)
21st Reg. Foot. Captain-lieutenant James Bethune to be Captain vice Thomas Horne, by Purchase.
Ditto. First Lieutenant Thomas Taylor to be Captain-lieutenant, vice James Bethune; by Purchase.
Ditto, Second Lieutenant, George Edward Schlagel to be First Lieutenant, vice Thomas Taylor; by Purchase.
Ditto, Alexander Thomson, Gent, to be Second Lieutenant, vice George Edward Schlagel; by Purchase.
(However, here it would seem Thomson has leaped over ensign to enter as lieutenant. Perhaps this is what happened with some men over 18.)
This rather blurry chart shows the price of commissions in 1821. Click on it to enlarge.
If you want to know all about the military in 1821, including wages and the costs of everything, this book is for you.
So there's what I've found out about the military purchase system. If you know more, please share.
Do you enjoy military heroes? The majority of wealthy men of our time, especially titled ones, didn't join the army or navy and yet it can be hard to resist. The book I'm editing, Too Dangerous for a Lady, has an ex-military hero and he met his friend Braydon there. (Both at one time working with/for Hawk Hawkinville, the man on the right in the Three Heroes picture.) 
Yes, it's a Rogues book, but the main Roguish connection here is the heroine, Lady Hermione Merryhew. Are you a fan of the Rogues and can't figure out the connection? It'll come to you!
Here's a sneak peek at the stepback for the cover (the inner one). I think it's particularly evocative.
Cheers,
Jo
I love the cover of that book of the three men in uniform. I didn’t buy that book because I have the three stories in separate volumes.
There were quite a few military posiitons which didn’t require purchase. Apart from artillery and engineers most were in the infantry and especially the infantry going to India. Men could also enter the army by raising a regiment. Lod Paget’s father was Ld Lieutenant of a county and raised a regiment . Paget refused to be named a colonel , as he could have been, and later transferred to another unit.
The scandal of Mary Ann Clarke and the Duke of York was that she was taking money to buy men commissions. York resigned from his posiiton for some years but later was reinstated.
I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position. As for pensions– that is something I am unclear about , as well as how exactly did one become a half-pay officer.
I love the cover of that book of the three men in uniform. I didn’t buy that book because I have the three stories in separate volumes.
There were quite a few military posiitons which didn’t require purchase. Apart from artillery and engineers most were in the infantry and especially the infantry going to India. Men could also enter the army by raising a regiment. Lod Paget’s father was Ld Lieutenant of a county and raised a regiment . Paget refused to be named a colonel , as he could have been, and later transferred to another unit.
The scandal of Mary Ann Clarke and the Duke of York was that she was taking money to buy men commissions. York resigned from his posiiton for some years but later was reinstated.
I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position. As for pensions– that is something I am unclear about , as well as how exactly did one become a half-pay officer.
I love the cover of that book of the three men in uniform. I didn’t buy that book because I have the three stories in separate volumes.
There were quite a few military posiitons which didn’t require purchase. Apart from artillery and engineers most were in the infantry and especially the infantry going to India. Men could also enter the army by raising a regiment. Lod Paget’s father was Ld Lieutenant of a county and raised a regiment . Paget refused to be named a colonel , as he could have been, and later transferred to another unit.
The scandal of Mary Ann Clarke and the Duke of York was that she was taking money to buy men commissions. York resigned from his posiiton for some years but later was reinstated.
I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position. As for pensions– that is something I am unclear about , as well as how exactly did one become a half-pay officer.
I love the cover of that book of the three men in uniform. I didn’t buy that book because I have the three stories in separate volumes.
There were quite a few military posiitons which didn’t require purchase. Apart from artillery and engineers most were in the infantry and especially the infantry going to India. Men could also enter the army by raising a regiment. Lod Paget’s father was Ld Lieutenant of a county and raised a regiment . Paget refused to be named a colonel , as he could have been, and later transferred to another unit.
The scandal of Mary Ann Clarke and the Duke of York was that she was taking money to buy men commissions. York resigned from his posiiton for some years but later was reinstated.
I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position. As for pensions– that is something I am unclear about , as well as how exactly did one become a half-pay officer.
I love the cover of that book of the three men in uniform. I didn’t buy that book because I have the three stories in separate volumes.
There were quite a few military posiitons which didn’t require purchase. Apart from artillery and engineers most were in the infantry and especially the infantry going to India. Men could also enter the army by raising a regiment. Lod Paget’s father was Ld Lieutenant of a county and raised a regiment . Paget refused to be named a colonel , as he could have been, and later transferred to another unit.
The scandal of Mary Ann Clarke and the Duke of York was that she was taking money to buy men commissions. York resigned from his posiiton for some years but later was reinstated.
I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position. As for pensions– that is something I am unclear about , as well as how exactly did one become a half-pay officer.
That is just about the nicest stepback I’ve seen. This is why paperback copies are required! 🙂
I do love military heroes. Warfare was such a strange thing in the 18th/early 19th centuries. I was just watching a documentary about it and the level of bravery required to essentially stand and wait to be shot at… It’s hard to imagine.
That is just about the nicest stepback I’ve seen. This is why paperback copies are required! 🙂
I do love military heroes. Warfare was such a strange thing in the 18th/early 19th centuries. I was just watching a documentary about it and the level of bravery required to essentially stand and wait to be shot at… It’s hard to imagine.
That is just about the nicest stepback I’ve seen. This is why paperback copies are required! 🙂
I do love military heroes. Warfare was such a strange thing in the 18th/early 19th centuries. I was just watching a documentary about it and the level of bravery required to essentially stand and wait to be shot at… It’s hard to imagine.
That is just about the nicest stepback I’ve seen. This is why paperback copies are required! 🙂
I do love military heroes. Warfare was such a strange thing in the 18th/early 19th centuries. I was just watching a documentary about it and the level of bravery required to essentially stand and wait to be shot at… It’s hard to imagine.
That is just about the nicest stepback I’ve seen. This is why paperback copies are required! 🙂
I do love military heroes. Warfare was such a strange thing in the 18th/early 19th centuries. I was just watching a documentary about it and the level of bravery required to essentially stand and wait to be shot at… It’s hard to imagine.
That stepback has to be just about the loveliest ever. Simply beautiful. If I didn’t automatically buy your books anyway, I’b buy this one just for that cover!
That stepback has to be just about the loveliest ever. Simply beautiful. If I didn’t automatically buy your books anyway, I’b buy this one just for that cover!
That stepback has to be just about the loveliest ever. Simply beautiful. If I didn’t automatically buy your books anyway, I’b buy this one just for that cover!
That stepback has to be just about the loveliest ever. Simply beautiful. If I didn’t automatically buy your books anyway, I’b buy this one just for that cover!
That stepback has to be just about the loveliest ever. Simply beautiful. If I didn’t automatically buy your books anyway, I’b buy this one just for that cover!
Great blog,Jo!
I love this kind of Regency military wonkery. And I love military heroes who have suffered and toughened and grown, and may need emotional or physical healing. I’ve generally resisted having titled heroes or heirs go into the army. Much more fun to have a more distant relative who served and then unexpectedly inherits. And there is something about a man in uniform, as Jane Austen knew! Even if some were merely rattles in red coats. *G*
Great blog,Jo!
I love this kind of Regency military wonkery. And I love military heroes who have suffered and toughened and grown, and may need emotional or physical healing. I’ve generally resisted having titled heroes or heirs go into the army. Much more fun to have a more distant relative who served and then unexpectedly inherits. And there is something about a man in uniform, as Jane Austen knew! Even if some were merely rattles in red coats. *G*
Great blog,Jo!
I love this kind of Regency military wonkery. And I love military heroes who have suffered and toughened and grown, and may need emotional or physical healing. I’ve generally resisted having titled heroes or heirs go into the army. Much more fun to have a more distant relative who served and then unexpectedly inherits. And there is something about a man in uniform, as Jane Austen knew! Even if some were merely rattles in red coats. *G*
Great blog,Jo!
I love this kind of Regency military wonkery. And I love military heroes who have suffered and toughened and grown, and may need emotional or physical healing. I’ve generally resisted having titled heroes or heirs go into the army. Much more fun to have a more distant relative who served and then unexpectedly inherits. And there is something about a man in uniform, as Jane Austen knew! Even if some were merely rattles in red coats. *G*
Great blog,Jo!
I love this kind of Regency military wonkery. And I love military heroes who have suffered and toughened and grown, and may need emotional or physical healing. I’ve generally resisted having titled heroes or heirs go into the army. Much more fun to have a more distant relative who served and then unexpectedly inherits. And there is something about a man in uniform, as Jane Austen knew! Even if some were merely rattles in red coats. *G*
Technically, in Afghanistan it’s illegal to pay a bribe for a position, but Afghans complain time and again that positions are awarded on ability to pay not merit.
I was interested to see that there were time-in-grade requirements. That at least would have prevented an overly, ambitious inexperienced commander from moving up without some experience.
The lore in the Army among noncommissioned officers is still the most dangerous commander is a new lieutenant without experience. I’d be interested to know if any noncommissioned officers during the Regency wrote memoirs.
Technically, in Afghanistan it’s illegal to pay a bribe for a position, but Afghans complain time and again that positions are awarded on ability to pay not merit.
I was interested to see that there were time-in-grade requirements. That at least would have prevented an overly, ambitious inexperienced commander from moving up without some experience.
The lore in the Army among noncommissioned officers is still the most dangerous commander is a new lieutenant without experience. I’d be interested to know if any noncommissioned officers during the Regency wrote memoirs.
Technically, in Afghanistan it’s illegal to pay a bribe for a position, but Afghans complain time and again that positions are awarded on ability to pay not merit.
I was interested to see that there were time-in-grade requirements. That at least would have prevented an overly, ambitious inexperienced commander from moving up without some experience.
The lore in the Army among noncommissioned officers is still the most dangerous commander is a new lieutenant without experience. I’d be interested to know if any noncommissioned officers during the Regency wrote memoirs.
Technically, in Afghanistan it’s illegal to pay a bribe for a position, but Afghans complain time and again that positions are awarded on ability to pay not merit.
I was interested to see that there were time-in-grade requirements. That at least would have prevented an overly, ambitious inexperienced commander from moving up without some experience.
The lore in the Army among noncommissioned officers is still the most dangerous commander is a new lieutenant without experience. I’d be interested to know if any noncommissioned officers during the Regency wrote memoirs.
Technically, in Afghanistan it’s illegal to pay a bribe for a position, but Afghans complain time and again that positions are awarded on ability to pay not merit.
I was interested to see that there were time-in-grade requirements. That at least would have prevented an overly, ambitious inexperienced commander from moving up without some experience.
The lore in the Army among noncommissioned officers is still the most dangerous commander is a new lieutenant without experience. I’d be interested to know if any noncommissioned officers during the Regency wrote memoirs.
Thanks, Nancy. Could men still raise regiments in the Regency?
“I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position.”
That would make sense, but I did come across something that said it created problems. So I don’t know.
A man became a half-pay officer when he didn’t have a job. In peacetime, regiments were reduced in size or sometimes closed down. The officers who weren’t needed could take half pay and remain available. Often they wouldn’t be able to sell out because of the reduction, which is why a half-pay officer was often a sorry fellow.
Re pensions, regiments had funds paid into by the men according to their rank, which paid out to legal dependents. I gather they generally had plenty of money because not many serving soldiers took wives and had legitimate children.
Thanks, Nancy. Could men still raise regiments in the Regency?
“I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position.”
That would make sense, but I did come across something that said it created problems. So I don’t know.
A man became a half-pay officer when he didn’t have a job. In peacetime, regiments were reduced in size or sometimes closed down. The officers who weren’t needed could take half pay and remain available. Often they wouldn’t be able to sell out because of the reduction, which is why a half-pay officer was often a sorry fellow.
Re pensions, regiments had funds paid into by the men according to their rank, which paid out to legal dependents. I gather they generally had plenty of money because not many serving soldiers took wives and had legitimate children.
Thanks, Nancy. Could men still raise regiments in the Regency?
“I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position.”
That would make sense, but I did come across something that said it created problems. So I don’t know.
A man became a half-pay officer when he didn’t have a job. In peacetime, regiments were reduced in size or sometimes closed down. The officers who weren’t needed could take half pay and remain available. Often they wouldn’t be able to sell out because of the reduction, which is why a half-pay officer was often a sorry fellow.
Re pensions, regiments had funds paid into by the men according to their rank, which paid out to legal dependents. I gather they generally had plenty of money because not many serving soldiers took wives and had legitimate children.
Thanks, Nancy. Could men still raise regiments in the Regency?
“I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position.”
That would make sense, but I did come across something that said it created problems. So I don’t know.
A man became a half-pay officer when he didn’t have a job. In peacetime, regiments were reduced in size or sometimes closed down. The officers who weren’t needed could take half pay and remain available. Often they wouldn’t be able to sell out because of the reduction, which is why a half-pay officer was often a sorry fellow.
Re pensions, regiments had funds paid into by the men according to their rank, which paid out to legal dependents. I gather they generally had plenty of money because not many serving soldiers took wives and had legitimate children.
Thanks, Nancy. Could men still raise regiments in the Regency?
“I think that when a man was promoted above the purchase ranks, he received the money paid out by the person who moved up to his vacated position.”
That would make sense, but I did come across something that said it created problems. So I don’t know.
A man became a half-pay officer when he didn’t have a job. In peacetime, regiments were reduced in size or sometimes closed down. The officers who weren’t needed could take half pay and remain available. Often they wouldn’t be able to sell out because of the reduction, which is why a half-pay officer was often a sorry fellow.
Re pensions, regiments had funds paid into by the men according to their rank, which paid out to legal dependents. I gather they generally had plenty of money because not many serving soldiers took wives and had legitimate children.
Thanks, Sonya. They did have to “stand fire”, but it was in fact safer than breaking and running. Most firearms weren’t very accurate, especially at a distance. You could still be killed, but probably not by someone aiming directly at you. A skilled rifleman was the most dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that in these times officers led from the front.In percentage terms, they were the most likely to die in battle, especially in attacks on garrisons and such.
Thanks, Sonya. They did have to “stand fire”, but it was in fact safer than breaking and running. Most firearms weren’t very accurate, especially at a distance. You could still be killed, but probably not by someone aiming directly at you. A skilled rifleman was the most dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that in these times officers led from the front.In percentage terms, they were the most likely to die in battle, especially in attacks on garrisons and such.
Thanks, Sonya. They did have to “stand fire”, but it was in fact safer than breaking and running. Most firearms weren’t very accurate, especially at a distance. You could still be killed, but probably not by someone aiming directly at you. A skilled rifleman was the most dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that in these times officers led from the front.In percentage terms, they were the most likely to die in battle, especially in attacks on garrisons and such.
Thanks, Sonya. They did have to “stand fire”, but it was in fact safer than breaking and running. Most firearms weren’t very accurate, especially at a distance. You could still be killed, but probably not by someone aiming directly at you. A skilled rifleman was the most dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that in these times officers led from the front.In percentage terms, they were the most likely to die in battle, especially in attacks on garrisons and such.
Thanks, Sonya. They did have to “stand fire”, but it was in fact safer than breaking and running. Most firearms weren’t very accurate, especially at a distance. You could still be killed, but probably not by someone aiming directly at you. A skilled rifleman was the most dangerous.
It’s also worth noting that in these times officers led from the front.In percentage terms, they were the most likely to die in battle, especially in attacks on garrisons and such.
Thanks,Lil!
Thanks,Lil!
Thanks,Lil!
Thanks,Lil!
Thanks,Lil!
There is definitely something about a man in uniform, yes!
There is definitely something about a man in uniform, yes!
There is definitely something about a man in uniform, yes!
There is definitely something about a man in uniform, yes!
There is definitely something about a man in uniform, yes!
Shannon, there are quite a few memoirs of the Napoleonic Wars by men in the ranks and non-commissioned officers. I don’t have references off the top of my head, but you should find some if you look.
They do mention officers, the good and the bad, but the general impression I have is that the new young ones were willing to be advised. They’d have to be stupid not to be. As they advanced up the ranks, weak officers were often more trouble than strict ones, but some were by nature tyrants and even insane.
However, senior officers were alert to this, because it would definitely reduce the effectiveness of a regiment.I remember reading of one case where an officer was shipped home from the Peninsula with a note not to send him back.
Even during the war there were places to send bad officers where they could do least damage, and perhaps even die of tropical diseases and such.
Shannon, there are quite a few memoirs of the Napoleonic Wars by men in the ranks and non-commissioned officers. I don’t have references off the top of my head, but you should find some if you look.
They do mention officers, the good and the bad, but the general impression I have is that the new young ones were willing to be advised. They’d have to be stupid not to be. As they advanced up the ranks, weak officers were often more trouble than strict ones, but some were by nature tyrants and even insane.
However, senior officers were alert to this, because it would definitely reduce the effectiveness of a regiment.I remember reading of one case where an officer was shipped home from the Peninsula with a note not to send him back.
Even during the war there were places to send bad officers where they could do least damage, and perhaps even die of tropical diseases and such.
Shannon, there are quite a few memoirs of the Napoleonic Wars by men in the ranks and non-commissioned officers. I don’t have references off the top of my head, but you should find some if you look.
They do mention officers, the good and the bad, but the general impression I have is that the new young ones were willing to be advised. They’d have to be stupid not to be. As they advanced up the ranks, weak officers were often more trouble than strict ones, but some were by nature tyrants and even insane.
However, senior officers were alert to this, because it would definitely reduce the effectiveness of a regiment.I remember reading of one case where an officer was shipped home from the Peninsula with a note not to send him back.
Even during the war there were places to send bad officers where they could do least damage, and perhaps even die of tropical diseases and such.
Shannon, there are quite a few memoirs of the Napoleonic Wars by men in the ranks and non-commissioned officers. I don’t have references off the top of my head, but you should find some if you look.
They do mention officers, the good and the bad, but the general impression I have is that the new young ones were willing to be advised. They’d have to be stupid not to be. As they advanced up the ranks, weak officers were often more trouble than strict ones, but some were by nature tyrants and even insane.
However, senior officers were alert to this, because it would definitely reduce the effectiveness of a regiment.I remember reading of one case where an officer was shipped home from the Peninsula with a note not to send him back.
Even during the war there were places to send bad officers where they could do least damage, and perhaps even die of tropical diseases and such.
Shannon, there are quite a few memoirs of the Napoleonic Wars by men in the ranks and non-commissioned officers. I don’t have references off the top of my head, but you should find some if you look.
They do mention officers, the good and the bad, but the general impression I have is that the new young ones were willing to be advised. They’d have to be stupid not to be. As they advanced up the ranks, weak officers were often more trouble than strict ones, but some were by nature tyrants and even insane.
However, senior officers were alert to this, because it would definitely reduce the effectiveness of a regiment.I remember reading of one case where an officer was shipped home from the Peninsula with a note not to send him back.
Even during the war there were places to send bad officers where they could do least damage, and perhaps even die of tropical diseases and such.
Thanks so much for explaining this as it’s something I’ve often wondered about.
How about doing a blog on the different aristocratic ranks and which ones inherited from another. I’m confused because of similar terms such as marquis and marquess. The rank system is something I still don’t understand.
Thanks so much for explaining this as it’s something I’ve often wondered about.
How about doing a blog on the different aristocratic ranks and which ones inherited from another. I’m confused because of similar terms such as marquis and marquess. The rank system is something I still don’t understand.
Thanks so much for explaining this as it’s something I’ve often wondered about.
How about doing a blog on the different aristocratic ranks and which ones inherited from another. I’m confused because of similar terms such as marquis and marquess. The rank system is something I still don’t understand.
Thanks so much for explaining this as it’s something I’ve often wondered about.
How about doing a blog on the different aristocratic ranks and which ones inherited from another. I’m confused because of similar terms such as marquis and marquess. The rank system is something I still don’t understand.
Thanks so much for explaining this as it’s something I’ve often wondered about.
How about doing a blog on the different aristocratic ranks and which ones inherited from another. I’m confused because of similar terms such as marquis and marquess. The rank system is something I still don’t understand.
Molly, I have always considered this the best online resource for the explanation of ranks during the regency era: http://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles02.html
As to Marquis/Marquess–the former is the French spelling the latter the English. However in the Early(/extended) Regency, the former was more commonly used than the latter(I base this on searches done in newspapers of the day). Off the top of my head I believe the switch to using Marquess consistently was about 1820(tho there was use of both spellings during/after this time)
Molly, I have always considered this the best online resource for the explanation of ranks during the regency era: http://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles02.html
As to Marquis/Marquess–the former is the French spelling the latter the English. However in the Early(/extended) Regency, the former was more commonly used than the latter(I base this on searches done in newspapers of the day). Off the top of my head I believe the switch to using Marquess consistently was about 1820(tho there was use of both spellings during/after this time)
Molly, I have always considered this the best online resource for the explanation of ranks during the regency era: http://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles02.html
As to Marquis/Marquess–the former is the French spelling the latter the English. However in the Early(/extended) Regency, the former was more commonly used than the latter(I base this on searches done in newspapers of the day). Off the top of my head I believe the switch to using Marquess consistently was about 1820(tho there was use of both spellings during/after this time)
Molly, I have always considered this the best online resource for the explanation of ranks during the regency era: http://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles02.html
As to Marquis/Marquess–the former is the French spelling the latter the English. However in the Early(/extended) Regency, the former was more commonly used than the latter(I base this on searches done in newspapers of the day). Off the top of my head I believe the switch to using Marquess consistently was about 1820(tho there was use of both spellings during/after this time)
Molly, I have always considered this the best online resource for the explanation of ranks during the regency era: http://www.chinet.com/~laura/html/titles02.html
As to Marquis/Marquess–the former is the French spelling the latter the English. However in the Early(/extended) Regency, the former was more commonly used than the latter(I base this on searches done in newspapers of the day). Off the top of my head I believe the switch to using Marquess consistently was about 1820(tho there was use of both spellings during/after this time)
If I remember rightly, Hawk married the young woman who “inherited” the Devil’s fortune.
If I remember rightly, Hawk married the young woman who “inherited” the Devil’s fortune.
If I remember rightly, Hawk married the young woman who “inherited” the Devil’s fortune.
If I remember rightly, Hawk married the young woman who “inherited” the Devil’s fortune.
If I remember rightly, Hawk married the young woman who “inherited” the Devil’s fortune.
As Kat says, Marquis and Marquess are the same thing, and pronounced the same way — marquess. That’s why I use marquess in novels because otherwise some people might read it as “markee”
As Kat says, Marquis and Marquess are the same thing, and pronounced the same way — marquess. That’s why I use marquess in novels because otherwise some people might read it as “markee”
As Kat says, Marquis and Marquess are the same thing, and pronounced the same way — marquess. That’s why I use marquess in novels because otherwise some people might read it as “markee”
As Kat says, Marquis and Marquess are the same thing, and pronounced the same way — marquess. That’s why I use marquess in novels because otherwise some people might read it as “markee”
As Kat says, Marquis and Marquess are the same thing, and pronounced the same way — marquess. That’s why I use marquess in novels because otherwise some people might read it as “markee”
I like your snippets of history because I like history to be honest. My lineage is part English. The Felsteads came to Australia in 1952. Actually they were shipwrecked of the coast of Sth Aust. They originated from Albany Hertfordshire. No Lords or Ladies but they survived.
I like your snippets of history because I like history to be honest. My lineage is part English. The Felsteads came to Australia in 1952. Actually they were shipwrecked of the coast of Sth Aust. They originated from Albany Hertfordshire. No Lords or Ladies but they survived.
I like your snippets of history because I like history to be honest. My lineage is part English. The Felsteads came to Australia in 1952. Actually they were shipwrecked of the coast of Sth Aust. They originated from Albany Hertfordshire. No Lords or Ladies but they survived.
I like your snippets of history because I like history to be honest. My lineage is part English. The Felsteads came to Australia in 1952. Actually they were shipwrecked of the coast of Sth Aust. They originated from Albany Hertfordshire. No Lords or Ladies but they survived.
I like your snippets of history because I like history to be honest. My lineage is part English. The Felsteads came to Australia in 1952. Actually they were shipwrecked of the coast of Sth Aust. They originated from Albany Hertfordshire. No Lords or Ladies but they survived.
I can’t wait for this next installment in the Rogues series! How much longer til it comes out? This is my all time favorite series! I have all of them and every time a new one comes out, I reread them all in order before allowing myself to read the new one!
I can’t wait for this next installment in the Rogues series! How much longer til it comes out? This is my all time favorite series! I have all of them and every time a new one comes out, I reread them all in order before allowing myself to read the new one!
I can’t wait for this next installment in the Rogues series! How much longer til it comes out? This is my all time favorite series! I have all of them and every time a new one comes out, I reread them all in order before allowing myself to read the new one!
I can’t wait for this next installment in the Rogues series! How much longer til it comes out? This is my all time favorite series! I have all of them and every time a new one comes out, I reread them all in order before allowing myself to read the new one!
I can’t wait for this next installment in the Rogues series! How much longer til it comes out? This is my all time favorite series! I have all of them and every time a new one comes out, I reread them all in order before allowing myself to read the new one!
This was very interesting. I was wondering how Mary Ann Clarke managed to sell promotions, and I’m still not sure as I thought promotions were supposed to be made by other than the Royal Family. Some of my ideas have been formed by what I have read in novels, and I suspect some of the information has been a bit dodgy. Oh well. I have also been interested in the Naval system, which was so very different from the Army at that time. Also the Naval prize system.
As for Hermione Merryhew – that would be Roger’s sister, and Roger was one of the original Rogues.
This was very interesting. I was wondering how Mary Ann Clarke managed to sell promotions, and I’m still not sure as I thought promotions were supposed to be made by other than the Royal Family. Some of my ideas have been formed by what I have read in novels, and I suspect some of the information has been a bit dodgy. Oh well. I have also been interested in the Naval system, which was so very different from the Army at that time. Also the Naval prize system.
As for Hermione Merryhew – that would be Roger’s sister, and Roger was one of the original Rogues.
This was very interesting. I was wondering how Mary Ann Clarke managed to sell promotions, and I’m still not sure as I thought promotions were supposed to be made by other than the Royal Family. Some of my ideas have been formed by what I have read in novels, and I suspect some of the information has been a bit dodgy. Oh well. I have also been interested in the Naval system, which was so very different from the Army at that time. Also the Naval prize system.
As for Hermione Merryhew – that would be Roger’s sister, and Roger was one of the original Rogues.
This was very interesting. I was wondering how Mary Ann Clarke managed to sell promotions, and I’m still not sure as I thought promotions were supposed to be made by other than the Royal Family. Some of my ideas have been formed by what I have read in novels, and I suspect some of the information has been a bit dodgy. Oh well. I have also been interested in the Naval system, which was so very different from the Army at that time. Also the Naval prize system.
As for Hermione Merryhew – that would be Roger’s sister, and Roger was one of the original Rogues.
This was very interesting. I was wondering how Mary Ann Clarke managed to sell promotions, and I’m still not sure as I thought promotions were supposed to be made by other than the Royal Family. Some of my ideas have been formed by what I have read in novels, and I suspect some of the information has been a bit dodgy. Oh well. I have also been interested in the Naval system, which was so very different from the Army at that time. Also the Naval prize system.
As for Hermione Merryhew – that would be Roger’s sister, and Roger was one of the original Rogues.
And then there was always the possibility of being shot by one of their own men.
Great blog, Jo.
And then there was always the possibility of being shot by one of their own men.
Great blog, Jo.
And then there was always the possibility of being shot by one of their own men.
Great blog, Jo.
And then there was always the possibility of being shot by one of their own men.
Great blog, Jo.
And then there was always the possibility of being shot by one of their own men.
Great blog, Jo.
That’s right, Diane. Clarissa in The Devil’s Heiress.
That’s right, Diane. Clarissa in The Devil’s Heiress.
That’s right, Diane. Clarissa in The Devil’s Heiress.
That’s right, Diane. Clarissa in The Devil’s Heiress.
That’s right, Diane. Clarissa in The Devil’s Heiress.
Fascinating family story, Kathleen.
Fascinating family story, Kathleen.
Fascinating family story, Kathleen.
Fascinating family story, Kathleen.
Fascinating family story, Kathleen.
Thanks for loving the Rogues, Angela! Too Dangerous for a Lady will be out in April.
Thanks for loving the Rogues, Angela! Too Dangerous for a Lady will be out in April.
Thanks for loving the Rogues, Angela! Too Dangerous for a Lady will be out in April.
Thanks for loving the Rogues, Angela! Too Dangerous for a Lady will be out in April.
Thanks for loving the Rogues, Angela! Too Dangerous for a Lady will be out in April.
Jenny, I read about how Mary Ann Clarke did it, but it still didn’t make sense that she could get away with it. It wasn’t anything to do with the royal family except for her connection to the Duke of York. She just knew who to talk to about things.
I believe it was mostly a matter of getting into, or transfered to, the desirable regiments. There was a big difference between them.
Yes indeed, Hermione is Roger’s sister. Good work!
Jenny, I read about how Mary Ann Clarke did it, but it still didn’t make sense that she could get away with it. It wasn’t anything to do with the royal family except for her connection to the Duke of York. She just knew who to talk to about things.
I believe it was mostly a matter of getting into, or transfered to, the desirable regiments. There was a big difference between them.
Yes indeed, Hermione is Roger’s sister. Good work!
Jenny, I read about how Mary Ann Clarke did it, but it still didn’t make sense that she could get away with it. It wasn’t anything to do with the royal family except for her connection to the Duke of York. She just knew who to talk to about things.
I believe it was mostly a matter of getting into, or transfered to, the desirable regiments. There was a big difference between them.
Yes indeed, Hermione is Roger’s sister. Good work!
Jenny, I read about how Mary Ann Clarke did it, but it still didn’t make sense that she could get away with it. It wasn’t anything to do with the royal family except for her connection to the Duke of York. She just knew who to talk to about things.
I believe it was mostly a matter of getting into, or transfered to, the desirable regiments. There was a big difference between them.
Yes indeed, Hermione is Roger’s sister. Good work!
Jenny, I read about how Mary Ann Clarke did it, but it still didn’t make sense that she could get away with it. It wasn’t anything to do with the royal family except for her connection to the Duke of York. She just knew who to talk to about things.
I believe it was mostly a matter of getting into, or transfered to, the desirable regiments. There was a big difference between them.
Yes indeed, Hermione is Roger’s sister. Good work!
Hmmmm, maybe the reason you could only buy colors/a commission between the ages of 16 and 18 is because they felt you were trainable. Much older than that and you’d be too opinionated or maybe think you really did know it all and didn’t really need to bend and do as you were told.
And that is very interesting because in so many Regencies (including those Georgette Heyer wrote) the young men who were bought colors and sent off, were way over the age of 18. My impression is more like 20 to 24 years old.
Hmmmm, maybe the reason you could only buy colors/a commission between the ages of 16 and 18 is because they felt you were trainable. Much older than that and you’d be too opinionated or maybe think you really did know it all and didn’t really need to bend and do as you were told.
And that is very interesting because in so many Regencies (including those Georgette Heyer wrote) the young men who were bought colors and sent off, were way over the age of 18. My impression is more like 20 to 24 years old.
Hmmmm, maybe the reason you could only buy colors/a commission between the ages of 16 and 18 is because they felt you were trainable. Much older than that and you’d be too opinionated or maybe think you really did know it all and didn’t really need to bend and do as you were told.
And that is very interesting because in so many Regencies (including those Georgette Heyer wrote) the young men who were bought colors and sent off, were way over the age of 18. My impression is more like 20 to 24 years old.
Hmmmm, maybe the reason you could only buy colors/a commission between the ages of 16 and 18 is because they felt you were trainable. Much older than that and you’d be too opinionated or maybe think you really did know it all and didn’t really need to bend and do as you were told.
And that is very interesting because in so many Regencies (including those Georgette Heyer wrote) the young men who were bought colors and sent off, were way over the age of 18. My impression is more like 20 to 24 years old.
Hmmmm, maybe the reason you could only buy colors/a commission between the ages of 16 and 18 is because they felt you were trainable. Much older than that and you’d be too opinionated or maybe think you really did know it all and didn’t really need to bend and do as you were told.
And that is very interesting because in so many Regencies (including those Georgette Heyer wrote) the young men who were bought colors and sent off, were way over the age of 18. My impression is more like 20 to 24 years old.