The Grand Old Duke of York and Mary Anne Clarke - A Right Royal Scandal
Dr Graham Cope
- Organisation:
- NA
- Regions:
- England, Somerset, Wiltshire, Bristol, Vale of Glamorgan, Bridgend, Cardiff, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Caerphilly, Monmouthshire, Newport, Merthyr Tydfil, Pembrokeshire, Torfaen, Neath Port Talbot, Swansea
- Notice Period:
- Regular (more than one month's notice)
- Type:
- Professional
- Fee:
- Paid: £75 + milage
- Category:
- History
- Updated:
- 19th June 2026
- Tagged:
- 1800S | Royalty Scandal | Georgian
Prince Frederick, the Duke of York was a soldier and commanded the British army against the French revolutionaries when only 29 years old. From Horse Guards he set about improving the army to be the best in Europe until they defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. But York had many mistresses. One was Mary Anne Clarke, an ambitious social climber. When the affair turned sore she caused a major scandal when she and others accused the Duke of selling army promotions for his own financial gain. The story is one of treachery, deceit, political shenanigans and a major enquiry in Parliament which rocked the country for several weeks and resulted in the resignation of the Duke.
Views: 10 | Enquiries: 0About Dr Graham Cope
After a long career as a medical scientist, I like to talk in an entertaining and accessible way about important healthcare issues such as antibiotic resistance, ‘guts’, inflammation and vaping. I have researched the history of the late Georgian period and I talk about the Royal scandal involving the Grand Old Duke of York and his mistresses Mary Anne Clarke. I talk about Wilberforce and the abolition of slave trade and the role played by the Welsh industries that fuelled the growth of slavery. Also, I have a talk about General Picton, who came from West Wales and died at Waterloo. A talk about the last invasion of Britain at Fishguard, Pembrokeshire is also available. Finally, my new talk is about the history, both factual and personal, of my military history novel set in the late 18th century.
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