Mary Ann Clarke at War
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Mary Ann Clarke at War
MARY ANNE CLARKE, mistress of Frederick duke of York (2nds of G3 and commander-in-chief) is accused of selling his patronage; defending herself brilliantly she is acquitted
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Media ID 4320628
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10167685
1776 1852 Accused Acquitted Anne Brilliantly Chief Clarke Defending Frederick Mistress Patronage Selling
EDITORS COMMENTS
Mary Ann Clarke, Mistress of Frederick, Duke of York and Albany (1764-1827), is depicted in this 1852 print as she stands before a panel of judges, defending herself against accusations of selling the Duke's patronage. The Duke, who was the second son of King George III and the Commander-in-Chief of the British Army at the time, was embroiled in a scandal that threatened to tarnish his reputation and that of the royal family. Mary Ann Clarke, a former actress and the Duke's mistress, was accused of using her influence to sell military commissions and other patronage to men who paid her large sums of money. The scandal came to a head in 1809 when the Duke's military secretary, John Scott, exposed the scheme in a letter to the Prime Minister, Spencer Perceval. Despite the mounting evidence against her, Mary Ann Clarke put up a brilliant defense in her trial in 1810. She denied the allegations and claimed that she had only been acting as a go-between for the men who wanted to purchase military commissions and the Duke, who had the power to grant them. The jury found her not guilty, and the Duke was cleared of any wrongdoing. This historical print captures the drama and intrigue of the trial, as well as the determination of Mary Ann Clarke to clear her name. The image of the fiery and defiant woman standing before the judges is a testament to her courage and resilience in the face of adversity. The print also serves as a reminder of the complex and often scandalous relationships that existed between the royal court and the world of politics and patronage in 18th and 19th century England.
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