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1797 - Born on October 16th at Hambleden, Buckinghamshire. James Thomas Brudenell was the only son of Robert, sixth earl of Cardigan and his wife Penelope Anne Cooke.
- British general who led the charge of the Light Brigade of British cavalry against the Russians in the Battle of Balaklava.
1818 - He became MP for Marlborough.
1823 - Brudenell met and fell in love with Elizabeth Johnstone, the wife of a Captain Johnstone who had left her husband.
1824 - Brudenell joined the army as a Cornet in the 8th Hussars through the influence of the Duke of York.
1825-1830 - He then proceeded to make full use of the purchase system for commissions: he became a Lieutenant, a Captain, a Major.
- Married to Elizabeth Johnstone.
- Brudenell became a Lieutenant-Colonel.
1832 - He fought a very expensive election for North Northamptonshire, and was returned along with Lord Milton, the heir to the Fitzwilliam estates.
1833 - He illegally ordered one of his officers, Captain Wathen, into custody at Cork.
1836 - He went to India but the regiment was ordered home quite soon afterwards.
1854 - Cardigan was acquitted on a technicality and retained the command of his regiment until he was promoted to Major-General on June 20th.
- Cardigan was sent out in command of a cavalry brigade in Major-General Lord Lucan's division.
- He commanded a cavalry brigade in the Crimea, and led the fatal charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.
1855 - He returned to England in January as a hero and was showered with honours.
- He was made Inspector-General of Cavalry.
- He was created a K.C.B., a Commander of the Legion of Honour and Knight of the second class of the Order of the Medjidie.
1861 - He was made Colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards and was promoted to Lieutenant-General.
1868 - He died from injuries caused by a fall from his horse on March 28th.
- The woolen jacket known as a cardigan is named after him.
- British general who led the charge of the Light Brigade of British cavalry against the Russians in the Battle of Balaklava.
1818 - He became MP for Marlborough.
1823 - Brudenell met and fell in love with Elizabeth Johnstone, the wife of a Captain Johnstone who had left her husband.
1824 - Brudenell joined the army as a Cornet in the 8th Hussars through the influence of the Duke of York.
1825-1830 - He then proceeded to make full use of the purchase system for commissions: he became a Lieutenant, a Captain, a Major.
- Married to Elizabeth Johnstone.
- Brudenell became a Lieutenant-Colonel.
1832 - He fought a very expensive election for North Northamptonshire, and was returned along with Lord Milton, the heir to the Fitzwilliam estates.
1833 - He illegally ordered one of his officers, Captain Wathen, into custody at Cork.
1836 - He went to India but the regiment was ordered home quite soon afterwards.
1854 - Cardigan was acquitted on a technicality and retained the command of his regiment until he was promoted to Major-General on June 20th.
- Cardigan was sent out in command of a cavalry brigade in Major-General Lord Lucan's division.
- He commanded a cavalry brigade in the Crimea, and led the fatal charge of the Light Brigade at Balaclava.
1855 - He returned to England in January as a hero and was showered with honours.
- He was made Inspector-General of Cavalry.
- He was created a K.C.B., a Commander of the Legion of Honour and Knight of the second class of the Order of the Medjidie.
1861 - He was made Colonel of the 5th Dragoon Guards and was promoted to Lieutenant-General.
1868 - He died from injuries caused by a fall from his horse on March 28th.
- The woolen jacket known as a cardigan is named after him.
  | Page last updated: 1:46am, 01st Sep '07 |
