The Duke of Wellington and the History of the Wellington Boot

The 1st Duke of Wellington - Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley (from ThePeerage.com), actually an Irishman (born in Dublin), played a central part in a pivotal moment in English history. All this fuss centres on the humble Wellington Boot - the reasons for creating it in the first place - why - when - how - and who? If it weren't for this great military strategist, the 1st Duke of Wellington (Arthur Wellesley) - and his choice of boot design - many things in the world would almost certainly be different - your rain boots might be called Napoleon Boots for example! :) The continent of Australia might be called New France and instead of Beef Wellington, you might be having Beef Waterloo at the pub. It all boils down to soldiers and their boots...

Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine
Who Do You Think You Are? Magazine

Boot History Books

Shoes and Boots Through History
Shoes and Boots Through History
A Short History of the Wellington Boot
A Short History of the Wellington Boot
War Made New: Technology, Warfare, and the Course of History: 1500 to Today
War Made New: Technology, Warfare, and the Course of History: 1500 to Today
Napoleon sitting wearing boots
Napoleon after being defeated by The Duke of Wellington

Boots and Wars

Boots reflect social standing in the army, and one of the most important tasks a solider has to perform, is to polish his boots. It will not surprise you then - that Wellington Boots were designed, by the very smart British nobleman - Arthur Wellesley (1769 - 1852) - for the precise need to elevate his troops status in battle - fighting Napoleon.

Compare the scruffy looking (yet functional) knee high riding boots worn by Napoleon (on right) - Napoleon style boots (see picture of Napoleon sitting) and the Duke of Wellington's worn below.

Transition to rubber wellies

The transition from leather to rubber occurred in 1852 when Hiram Hutchinson was granted manufacturing rights by Charles Goodyear to create Wellington Boots in rubber using Goodyear's vulcanisation process. Hutchinson formed the Aigle company in France to manufacture the first rubber wellies.

Duke of Wellington Books

Wellington: The Iron Duke
Wellington: The Iron Duke rating
Rifles: Six Years with Wellington's Legendary Sharpshooters
Rifles: Six Years with Wellington's Legendary Sharpshooters rating
Wellington: A Personal History
Wellington: A Personal History ratings

Duke of Wellington riding horse wearing Wellington Boots

The Duke of Wellington riding horse wearing wellie boots

The Duke of Wellington's riding his horse and displaying Wellington Boots. (Poster available from AllPosters.co.uk - click image)

Duke of Wellington standing showing Wellington Boots

	 Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) Duke of Wellington after an Original by Sir Thomas Lawrence

Arthur Wellesley (1769-1852) Duke of Wellington after an Original by Sir Thomas Lawrence standing showing Wellington boots. Buy this poster of Arthur Wellesley from Amazon.

Modern Wellington Boots

Tall knee, Reinforced rubber boot
Tall knee, Reinforced
black wellington riding boot short knee
Short knee, Steel Toe
Neoprene Wellington boot
Modern Neoprene Wellington Boot

A Short History of the Wellington Boot (Book) New

History of the Wellington Boot (Book Cover)
"Wild, wry and witty, it's a galvanising - or should that be vulcanising?, B.B. Gloucestershire, 5 stars
The Wellington boot has been at the epicentre of global affairs ever since its invention in 1817, when the Duke of Wellington, freshly back from beating Napoleon, found his old boots most uncomfortable when worn with new-fangled trousers. He instructed his shoemaker to make a simple modification - and the rest is history. The history of the Wellington Boot, told here for the first time, is also the history of the world. It is an epic tale, encompassing the rise and fall of empires, corporate piracy, fetish wear, transatlantic rivalry, and such iconic figures as Christopher Columbus, Beau Brummel, Princess Diana and Kate Moss ... Entertaining and eccentric history-cum-humour for the Christmas market.

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Art print poster - Duke of Wellington (Restrike Etching) by Other/Unknown pixel

The Duke of Wellington

Praised by Queen Victoria as the ‘greatest man this country has ever produced,’ the Duke of Wellington possessed an unmatched career in Britain as a soldier, politician, and statesman. He was honoured by his countrymen who saw him as "the highest incarnation of English character".

The Duke Of Wellington (1769-1852) 1814 stretched canvas art print by Thomas Phillips

Portrait

The Duke Of Wellington (1769-1852) 1814 stretched canvas art print by Thomas Phillips

The Duke Of Wellington (1769-1852) 1815 stretched canvas art print by Robert Alexander Hillingford

Wellington in Battle

The Duke Of Wellington (1769-1852) 1815 stretched canvas art print by Robert Alexander Hillingford

Statue of the Duke of Wellington

Photo of Statue of Duke of Wellington at Hyde Park

The Duke of Wellington's victories are celebrated to this day by the large monument on Hyde Park Corner, on London, England, United Kingdom. (Poster available from AllPosters.co.uk - click image)

Duke of Wellington Art Prints

Duke of Wellington riding horse showing Wellington Boots
Duke of Wellington in battle, riding horse, showing Wellington Boots
Portrait of The Duke of Wellington (Restrike Etching) by Sir Thomas Lawrence
Portrait of The Duke of Wellington (Restrike Etching) by Sir Thomas Lawrence
Uniforms of The Army & Navy (Restrike Etching) - with the Duke of Wellington
Uniforms of The Army & Navy (Restrike Etching) - with the Duke of Wellington
National Archives - Learning Curve
National Archives - Learning Curve - search for the 'Duke of Wellington'
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Information and Articles

History Magazines

BBC History Magazine

BBC History Magazine: Britain's best-selling monthly magazine. BBC History Magazine is rich and resonant, entertaining and informative. In each issue leading historians offer fresh insights into every era from the archaeology of the ancient world to the background to today's current affairs.

History TODAY Magazine

History TODAY Magazine: Follow an essential signpost to the present from the past with History TODAY Magazine, the magazine that spans the ages. Every issue is a visual and literary feast of well-written features, absorbing analysis and fascinating images. Packed with intelligent writing, History TODAY Magazine never prejudges an issue.