Lot Essay
This pot reputedly belonged to Lord Paget, later Earl of Uxbridge, and used by him on campaign with Sir John Moore's army in Spain in 1808-1809. Further Peninsula service under Wellington proved impossible due to Paget's liaison with Lady Charlotte, wife of Henry Wellesley, the Duke's brother. Despite the continued resentment regarding Lady Charlotte, he was commander of cavalry under Wellington at Quatre Bras and Waterloo where he led the flanking charge of the British heavy cavalry against the Comte d'Erlon's Corps. He was hit in the right leg by grape shot towards the end of the battle necessitating its amputation, the injury causing the famous exchange with Wellington: "By God , Sir, I've lost my leg" - "By God, Sir, so you have!"