a-hulder: Portrait of Jane, Duchess of Gordon by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1775)The charismatic Jane Maxw
a-hulder: Portrait of Jane, Duchess of Gordon by Sir Joshua Reynolds (1775)The charismatic Jane Maxwell was known for her looks, charm, infectious laughter, intelligence and ambition. As a child it was said she would ride through the streets of Edinburgh on a pig and her energic and adventures character continued into lofty adulthood:“She made everyone dance Scottish dances. King George III adored her, and she supported the King, so she was allowed to promote her Scottish heritage more than others would have dared. She gave a ball at which she and the Duchess of York dressed in tartan when it was officially banned, and she arranged for the King to inspect troops dressed in tartan in Hyde Park.”“ In 1793, the French Revolutionary Government declared war on Great Britain. At that time the British army was short of recruits, since the military service was not very popular among the young men. As a consequence, the Government asked Jane’s husband, the Duke of Gordon, to raise another regiment. The outcome of this was a bet between Jane and the Prince of Wales, the future King George IV. Jane bet with the Prince that she could raise more men than he, meaning the Government. Although 45 by then, she was still extremely attractive. Her recruiting technique was, to say the least, unusual. She wore a military uniform and a large black feathered hat (highland bonnet), touring Scotland to organise reels. Anyone who joined the reel joined the army and received the King’s shilling, the recruiting payment, from between the Duchess’ lips by kissing her. This was how the Gordon Highlanders were founded. Her total was 940 men. “ -- source link