Tuesday 25 January 2011

The Lion d’Or

Sir Stapleton Cotton was born in 1772 and entered the army as a second lieutenant aged 18, by the time he was 21 he was colonel of the 25th Light Dragoons. He saw action in India and later rose to prominence in the Peninsula where he became the commander of the British cavalry. He was personally thanked by Wellington for his role in the victory at Salamanca in 1812 but missed out on the top job at Waterloo because he was passed over in favour of Uxbridge (he was none to happy about this). Cotton was nicknamed the “Lion d’Or” for his bravery and love of over-the-top uniforms. He was in military service for a total of 73 years and fought in 17 battles finishing up as a field marshall.

The figure is a David Clayton produced casting of BN/255 Lieut-Gen Sir Stapleton Cotton in Hussar uniform and busby (on horse BNH/13). I have found that Clayton personality figure castings are almost indistinguishable from vintage castings and this one was in perfect condition. The uniform is based on a picture of Stapleton Cotton in my copy of Blandford’s Uniforms of the Peninsula War that seemed suitably ostentatious. I really enjoyed painting this one – the leopard skin in particular was a bit of a challenge.

I must confess that I had never heard of Sir Stapleton Cotton prior to acquiring his miniature likeness, as, despite having a reasonable amount of Napoleonic related literature, his is not a name that had registered in my mind. So I was more than a little surprised to read the facts about his impressive military career. I have decided therefore to put him in over all command of my Allied cavalry, a position he can hold without concern, as Uxbridge is one of the Hinton Hunt personality figures still missing from my collection.

So, not a bad start to the year – one rider and horse painted.

10 comments:

Fire at Will said...

His statue is outside the castle in Chester and titled 1st Viscount Combermere

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stapleton_Cotton,_1st_Viscount_Combermere

Anonymous said...

Now he is a little beauty. With a uniform like that he should be in charge of the French (Guard) cavalry!

Silly question and it is probably posted elsewhere but what is that green you use for your bases?


Matt

WSTKS-FM Worldwide said...

An extremely handsome figure!

Best Regards,

Stokes

Rafael Pardo said...

Hi
Beuatiful figure... He seems alike Murat with his amaranth coat!
Regards
Rafa

Stryker said...

Thanks for the comments chaps!

Matt - the green is Humbrol enamel 80 grass green.

Rafa - I think there are quite a few parallels with Murat, not least the love of fancy uniforms.

Lee said...

Lovely figure Ian and a great paint job!

Lee.

Paulalba said...

Hi Ian,
You've made a fine job of this dashing cavalryman. From his story the figure fits him well.
Cheers
Paul

littlejohn said...

I would do just about anything to get a hold of some Hinton Hunt Naps...one of my truly great desires in my wargaming life...if I could only have foreseen this 20 years ago....

Stryker said...

Hi Littlejohn - the rather silly prices the figures now command does make it hard to collect full units but its not impossible. I'm lucky that I started collecting them again about 5 years ago when you could still pick up figures for a quid($1.59)each. The moulds are still around somewhere so maybe we will see them back in production again someday - I hope so because they are great figures.

Ian

lewisgunner said...

Stunning little miniature Ian. Most impressive painting. It starts as a nice figure and you have done it more than justice!!
Roy