Resolution: Two Brothers. A Nation in Crisis. A World at War

David Rutland · Emma Ellis

Apr 2017 · Head of Zeus Ltd

About this ebook

John Manners, Marquis of Granby, famously led a cavalry charge during the Seven Years War in 1760, losing both hat and wig. A commander of skill and courage, he was cherished by his men and lauded by the British public as an authentic military hero.

Granby predeceased his father, the 3rd Duke of Rutland, and never inherited his title, but left two sons whose contrasting fortunes and tragically short lives are the subject of this meticulously researched and richly illustrated book. Charles became 4th Duke in 1779, sought reconciliation with the American colonies and was Viceroy of Ireland; Robert embarked on a naval career, became flag captain of the Resolution and died of injuries sustained at the Battle of the Saintes.

Based upon the detailed archives held at Belvoir Castle, Resolution is both an enthralling saga of two generations of the Manners family and a finely delineated portrait of aristocratic, political and naval life in mid-Georgian England.

About the author

David Rutland is 11th Duke of Rutland. He succeeded his father to the title on 4 January 1999 and lives at Belvoir Castle, ancestral home of the dukes of Rutland in northern Leicestershire. As a young boy, David used to read Robert Manners' letters, written whilst serving in the Royal Navy from 1772-82, and wanted to find out more about his life and the interesting relationship he had with his older brother Charles. Resolution took four years to write, using original documents in the archives at Belvoir Castle, as well as ships' log books and other naval records held at The National Archives at Kew and the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich. Emma Ellis completed a degree in politics in 1992 and then 'ran away to sea' for a few years, undertaking numerous voyages including to Antarctica and Greenland. She became interested in the history of maritime exploration during the course of a circumnavigation of New Zealand. She subsequently undertook a Masters Degree in naval and merchant naval history at the Greenwich Maritime Centre, University of Greenwich. Resolution is her first book.