Helmet, Maidenhead Cavalry, about 1815

Helmet, Maidenhead Cavalry, about 1815

Museum ID: WNDRB : 2000.2.1.1-2

This black Tarleton helmet with the red and white plumage belonged to a member of The Maidenhead Cavalry: a voluntary cavalry regiment raised as part of a home-defence unit during the Napoleonic Wars. Of course, Napoleon never crossed the English Channel so the Maidenhead Cavalry never actually had to do any proper fighting, as such. They did, however, patrol the notorious Maidenhead Thicket area; a place renowned far and wide for its highway robberies. Dick Turpin, Britain’s most infamous highwayman, reportedly operated there for a time. Windsor, too, had its own home-defence unit during the Napoleonic Wars: The Windsor Volunteers. Their silk embroidered flag is in the Guildhall.

Measurements: 420 x 320 x 430

Materials:

Categorised under: