Memoir of the Early Campaigns of the Duke of Wellington in Portugal and Spain

The British Landing in Portugal, 1808 – A Turning Point in the Napoleonic Wars

The British landing in Portugal in 1808 and the beginning of the long Peninsular War marked the start of the decline of Napoleon’s empire. Though the Peace of Tilsit seemed to place all of Europe under his control, without full command of Spain and Portugal, the Emperor of the French could never hope for lasting peace.

For Britain, the war was of vital importance: securing dominance in the Mediterranean and maintaining Portugal as the essential gateway through which British goods continued to reach European markets, despite the Continental Blockade. The French presence beyond the Pyrenees posed a direct threat to London’s strategic and economic interests.

The Value of Lord Westmoreland’s Memoir

It is in this historical context that Memoir of the Early Campaigns of the Duke of Wellington in Portugal and Spain by Lord Westmoreland stands out as a work of particular significance. Written by an officer of modest rank but uniquely positioned thanks to close family ties—the Duke of Wellington was his wife’s uncle—the memoir offers a vivid and intimate portrait of the campaign.

With wit, immediacy, and the perspective of an eyewitness, the author recounts the hardships, victories, and setbacks of a struggle fought under the most challenging conditions. For scholars and enthusiasts of military history, this memoir is an invaluable primary source on the Peninsular War.

About the Author – Lord Westmoreland (1791–1859)

Lord Westmoreland, a British officer and later a politician, came from one of the most prominent aristocratic families of his age. He served with distinction during the Napoleonic Wars, gaining firsthand experience of the campaigns in Portugal and Spain.

Thanks to his family connection with Arthur Wellesley, the Duke of Wellington, he had exceptional access to key military and political leaders of the time. After his service, Westmoreland entered public life, continuing to shape British political and social affairs. His memoir remains a rare and insightful record of the Wellington campaigns.

The Limited Edition Book

Rambler Press edition of Memoir of the Early Campaigns of the Duke of Wellington in Portugal and Spain has been produced with the utmost attention to craftsmanship and detail:

Hand-bound in half-leather, with edges carefully tinted

Typeset in Brunel Text Roman No. 2

Printed on fine  cotton paper by Zuber Rieder

Strictly limited edition of only 25 copies

A true collector’s edition for bibliophiles, historians, and lovers of rare books