.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
THE GIFT OF HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUKE OF KENT TO CAPTN PARKER, Commander of His Majesty's Ship Amazon as a token of regard and an acknowledgment of his polite attention to himself and suit on the Passage from GIBRALTAR to ENGLAND in May 1803
The Royal arms are those of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820). The crest is that of Parker, as borne by Sir William Parker, 1st baronet (1781-1866).
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (1767-1820) is best known as the father to Queen Victoria, and the fourth son of George III. Dubbed the "forgotten son," the Duke of Kent spent many years abroad, with postings in Geneva, Gibraltar, Quebec and Halifax, where he served as the Commander in Chief of British Forces in North America. In 1802 he was reappointed to Gibraltar, to serve as the Governor and to reform the garrison there. The Duke of Kent was known for his harsh treatment of soldiers: "His Royal Highnesses' Discipline was strict almost to the point of severity," and these methods resulted in a mutiny. The uprising was quelled and three were put to death. When news of the mutiny reached London, Prince Edward was recalled. On May 1st, 1803 the Duke of Kent boarded the Amazon, commanded by Admiral Parker, who received this silver tureen as a mark of gratitude.
The Gibraltar episode marked the end of the Prince's career in active duty. In 1818, his domestic life with his companion of 27 years, Julie St. Laurent, was forever ruptured when he married Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Saalfeld, to ensure an heir to the throne. Princess Victoria was born in 1819, and the Duke died seven months later.
The Royal arms are those of Prince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn (1767-1820). The crest is that of Parker, as borne by Sir William Parker, 1st baronet (1781-1866).
Prince Edward, Duke of Kent (1767-1820) is best known as the father to Queen Victoria, and the fourth son of George III. Dubbed the "forgotten son," the Duke of Kent spent many years abroad, with postings in Geneva, Gibraltar, Quebec and Halifax, where he served as the Commander in Chief of British Forces in North America. In 1802 he was reappointed to Gibraltar, to serve as the Governor and to reform the garrison there. The Duke of Kent was known for his harsh treatment of soldiers: "His Royal Highnesses' Discipline was strict almost to the point of severity," and these methods resulted in a mutiny. The uprising was quelled and three were put to death. When news of the mutiny reached London, Prince Edward was recalled. On May 1st, 1803 the Duke of Kent boarded the Amazon, commanded by Admiral Parker, who received this silver tureen as a mark of gratitude.
The Gibraltar episode marked the end of the Prince's career in active duty. In 1818, his domestic life with his companion of 27 years, Julie St. Laurent, was forever ruptured when he married Victoria of Saxe-Coburg and Saalfeld, to ensure an heir to the throne. Princess Victoria was born in 1819, and the Duke died seven months later.