Early life
William was born in Leicester House, in Leicester Fields (nowEarly military career
From childhood, he showed physical courage and ability, and became his parents' favourite. He was enrolled in the 2nd Foot Guards and made aWar of the Austrian Succession
In December 1742, he became aJacobite rebellion – "The Forty-Five"
As the leading British general of the day, he was chosen to put a decisive stop toCulloden
Arriving in"Butcher Cumberland"
Following Culloden, Cumberland was nicknamed "Sweet William" by his Whig supporters and "The Butcher" by hisReturn to the Continent
The Duke took no part in the Flanders campaign of 1746, during which the French made huge advances capturing Brussels and defeating the Allies at Rocoux. In 1747, Cumberland returned to the Continent and he again opposed the still-victoriousPeacetime
Cumberland's unpopularity, which had steadily increased since Culloden, interfered greatly with his success in politics, and when the death of theAttempts at army reform
Whilst in the office of Commander-in-Chief Cumberland attempted to reform the peacetime army with the support of hisSeven Years' War
North America
In 1754, the simmering colonial rivalry between Britain and France over competing territorial claims in North America developed into war. France asserted its claim to Ohio Valley by building a network of powerful fortifications. The government ministry led byInvasion of Hanover
In 1757, theFinal years
Cumberland's final years were lived out during the first five years of the reign of his nephew,Titles, styles, honours and arms
Titles and styles
* 26 April 1721 – 27 July 1726: ''His Highness'' Prince William * 27 July 1726 – 31 October 1765: ''His Highness'' The Duke of Cumberland The Duke's full style as proclaimed at his funeral by Garter King-of-Arms was: "the ..most High, most Mighty, and most Illustrious Prince William Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, and Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh, Marquess of Berkhamstead, Earl of Kennington, Viscount Trematon, Baron of the Isle of Alderney, Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter, and First and Principal Companion of the most Honourable Order of the Bath, third Son of His late most Excellent Majesty King George the Second".Honours
British Honours * KG:Arms
On 20 July 1725, as a grandchild of the sovereign, William was granted use of the arms of the realm, differenced by a ''label argent of five points, the centre point bearing a cross gules, the first, second, fourth and fifth each bearing a canton gules''. On 30 August 1727, as a child of the sovereign, William's difference changed to a ''label argent of three points, the centre point bearing a cross gules''.Legacy
Notes
References
Sources
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