Description

General Arthur Wellesley minifigure depicts the British commander who became the Iron Duke, famed for his measured brilliance and ultimate triumph over Napoleon. Rising from service in India—where he honed his tactical skills during the battles of Assaye and Argaum—Wellesley built a reputation as a master of logistics, discipline, and defensive warfare. His ability to hold firm under pressure and exploit enemy mistakes made him one of Britain’s most celebrated military figures.

In the Peninsular War (1808–1814), Wellesley proved his mettle by leading Anglo-Portuguese and Spanish forces against some of Napoleon’s finest marshals. At Talavera, Salamanca, and Vitoria, his skilful use of terrain and coordination of coalition troops wore down French dominance in Iberia. The retreat from Portugal using the impregnable Lines of Torres Vedras in 1810 was a masterpiece of defensive preparation, baffling Marshal Masséna and forcing the French to withdraw in humiliation.

His crowning achievement came at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. There, Wellesley held his multinational army together under the weight of repeated French assaults, from the cavalry charges of Marshal Ney to the devastating advance of the Imperial Guard. Calm and composed, he anchored his men until Blücher’s Prussians arrived to crush Napoleon’s flank. The battle immortalized his phrase that it was “the nearest run thing you ever saw in your life,” underscoring just how close the contest had been.

Wellesley’s legacy extended beyond the battlefield. His later career as Prime Minister of Britain and his lifelong attention to discipline—he famously said his troops were “the scum of the earth,” yet trained them into Europe’s most professional fighting force—made him a figure both admired and feared. Unlike many generals of the time, he treated logistics and supply with as much seriousness as tactics, ensuring his soldiers could endure prolonged campaigns.

This minifigure captures Wellesley’s elegance and determination, perfect for collectors who want to recreate the Peninsular War or the climactic struggle at Waterloo. As the man who stood toe-to-toe with Napoleon and emerged victorious, the Iron Duke remains a central figure in Napoleonic history.

Includes:

• 1 General Arthur Wellesley minifigure disassembled
• 1 replica sword

Pcs: 9

Age rating: 14+