Cardigan, James Brudenell, 7th earl of

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Cardigan, James Brudenell, 7th earl of (1797–1868). Born at Hambledon Manor (Bucks.), as Lord Brudenell he was commissioned in the 8th Hussars in 1824, purchased command of the 15th Hussars in 1832, and was removed for misconduct in 1834. Nothing daunted, in 1836 he purchased command of the 11th Hussars, and in 1837 succeeded to the family title. In 1841 he was tried by the House of Lords for fighting a duel, and acquitted on a technicality. He survived repeated scandals over both his military and private life, marrying twice, first in 1826 the divorcée Elizabeth Johnstone (née Tollemache), from whom he separated in 1846, then in 1858 Adeline de Horsey immediately following his first wife's death. Cardigan's fame and notoriety rest with his command of the light cavalry brigade in the Crimean War, particularly the Charge of the Light Brigade’ at Balaclava in 1854. He was inspector-general of cavalry 1855–60, and gave his name to the woollen ‘Cardigan’ jacket popularized by the war.

Stephen Badsey

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