Early life
William was born in Leicester House, in Leicester Fields (now Leicester Square),Early military career
From childhood, he showed physical courage and ability, and became his parents' favourite. He was enrolled in the 2nd Foot Guards and made a Knight of the Bath aged four.Van der Kiste, p. 78 He was intended, by the King and Queen, for the office of Lord High Admiral, and, in 1740, he sailed, as a volunteer, in the fleet under the command of Sir John Norris, but he quickly became dissatisfied with the Navy, and, instead secured the post ofWar of the Austrian Succession
In December 1742, he became a major-general, and, the following year, he first saw active service inJacobite rebellion – "The Forty-Five"
As the leading British general of the day, he was chosen to put a decisive stop toCulloden
Arriving in"Butcher Cumberland"
Following Culloden, Cumberland was nicknamed "Sweet William" by his Whig supporters and "The Butcher" by his Tory opponents the latter being a taunt first recorded in theReturn to the Continent
The Duke took no part in the Flanders campaign of 1746, during which the French made huge advances capturing Brussels and defeating the Allies at Rocoux. In 1747, Cumberland returned to the Continent and he again opposed the still-victorious Marshal Saxe and received a heavy defeat at the Battle of Lauffeld, or Val, nearPeacetime
Cumberland's unpopularity, which had steadily increased since Culloden, interfered greatly with his success in politics, and when the death of theAttempts at army reform
Whilst in the office of Commander-in-Chief Cumberland attempted to reform the peacetime army with the support of his father. He wished to wrest control over promotions from the government to the army itself and to limit or curtail the practise ofSeven Years' War
North America
In 1754, the simmering colonial rivalry between Britain and France over competing territorial claims in North America developed into war. France asserted its claim to Ohio Valley by building a network of powerful fortifications. The government ministry led by Newcastle initially proposed a limited military response in which a Highland regiment supported by colonial forces would drive the French from the Ohio Valley.Tucker, p. 89Cusick, p. 21 Cumberland believed the plan was not decisive enough to protect British interests in North America and expanded the plan to include a four pronged assault against New France, with forces striking simultaneously at Duquesne, Crown Point, Niagara, and Beauséjour.Hall, p. 66 Cumberland proposed that only overwhelming force would defeat France in America, which was contradictory to Newcastle's own proposals and previous government strategies which advocated limited offensive operations. Further he proposed a role of commander in chief for forces in America, who would have the power to levy local troops and direct local strategy. A 3,500 strong mixed force of regulars, militia, and allied natives would be assembled and would cross the Virginia mountains and strike Duquesne, two regiments drawn from Ireland were given this task. An officer who had impressed Cumberland on previous campaigns, Edward Braddock, was given command of all crown forces in America, to the surprise of many in the army as Braddock was relatively unknown. Newcastle approved the bolder plan, which met with limited success. In his role as army Commander-in-Chief, Cumberland advised on the conduct of the war in North America. He believed the war should be principally conducted by the colonies themselves and that regular troops should only play a supporting role. He was influential in the appointment of Loudoun, another favorite and an officer who had served in Cumberland's army during the Jacobite rebellion. Cumberland advised Loudoun to expose his officers and soldiers to scouting expeditions, so that they might "learn to beat the woods". Cumberland approved the plan to develop light infantry in the British army.Invasion of Hanover
In 1757, the war having spread to the continent, Cumberland was placed at the head of the Hanoverian Army of Observation, intended to defend Hanover (of which George II was Elector) from a French invasion. At the Battle of Hastenbeck, nearFinal years
Cumberland's final years were lived out during the first five years of the reign of his nephew,Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
* 26 April 1721 – 27 July 1726: ''His Highness'' Prince William * 27 July 1726 – 31 October 1765: ''His Highness'' The Duke of Cumberland The Duke's full style as proclaimed at his funeral by Garter King-of-Arms was: "the ..most High, most Mighty, and most Illustrious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, and Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Marquess of Berkhamstead, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon, Baron of the Isle of Alderney, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and First and Principal Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, third Son of His late most Excellent Majesty King George the Second".Honours
British Honours * KG: Knight of the Garter, ''1730'' * KB: Knight of the Bath, ''1725'' * PC: Privy Counsellor, ''1742'' Academic * 1751–1765: Chancellor of Trinity College, Dublin *Chancellor ofArms
On 20 July 1725, as a grandchild of the sovereign, William was granted use of the arms of the realm, differenced by a ''label argent of five points, the centre point bearing a cross gules, the first, second, fourth and fifth each bearing a canton gules''. On 30 August 1727, as a child of the sovereign, William's difference changed to a ''label argent of three points, the centre point bearing a cross gules''.Legacy
Prince William County, Virginia is named for him, as well as Cumberland County, Maine, Cumberland County, New Jersey,Notes
References
Sources
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