A large leather-bound three-handled despatch box for Prince Frederick, Duke of York, late 18th century

late 18th century

late 18th century
The rectangular wooden box of black leather with tooled anthemion leaf band to the top edge of the hinged lid, inscribed H.R.H. COMMANDER IN CHIEF in tooled gilt, the number '4' on the front edge, a green velvet interior, the 'Davies' patent' stamped triple lock with lozenge escutcheon and original key with red wool tassel, applied with three brass swing handles, 17.7cm high by 43.2cm long by 29.2cm wide Typical wear to leather (2)

Prince Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1763-1827) was the second son of King George III. A soldier by profession, Frederick was thrust into the British Army at a very early age and was appointed to high command at the age of thirty, when he was given command of a campaign during the War of the First Coalition, a continental war following the French Revolution. In 1795, his father appointed him as Commander-in-Chief of the British army in 1795 although the title was not confirmed until three years later. During the Napoleonic Wars, he oversaw the reorganisation of the British Army, establishing vital structural, administrative and recruiting reforms for which he is credited with having done "more for the army than any one man has done for it in the whole of its history."