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121-475: Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a fishing port on the Basque coast and now a famous resort, known for its architecture, sandy bay, the quality of the light and the cuisine. The town is located south of Biarritz , on the right bank of the river Nivelle ( French for Urdazuri) opposite to Ciboure . The port lies on the estuary just before the river joins the ocean. The summit of Larrun is about 8 km (5 mi) south-east of

242-404: A daymark was established there, called de la Haille , then de la Humade . The tower disappeared in 1856. Most of the documents, records and official agreements gathered in the archives from Biarritz mention whaling . This was the principal local industry. Consequently, the town's coat of arms features the image of a whale below a rowing boat manned by five sailors wearing berets , one of whom

363-497: A bandit, as his raids, expansion and threats to destabilise British authority suddenly increased in 1800. The death of Tipu Sultan had created a power vacuum and Waugh was seeking to fill it. Given independent command of a combined East India Company and British Army force, Wellesley ventured north to confront Waugh in June 1800, with an army of 8,000 infantry and cavalry, having learnt that Waugh's forces numbered over 50,000, although

484-410: A bitter war. Today, visitors of the cathedral can see that the main door is bricked off. Two legends circulate this oddity: First, it has been said that the door the couple passed through was later closed to represent the closing of the troubles between France and Spain. A more popular theory among the locals is that the king, Louis XIV, ordered the door to be closed off, so no other couple could walk into

605-507: A breach was opened in the main walls of the fortress of Seringapatam. An attack led by Major-General Baird secured the fortress. Wellesley secured the rear of the advance, posting guards at the breach and then stationed his regiment at the main palace. After hearing news of the death of the Tipu Sultan, Wellesley was the first at the scene to confirm his death, checking his pulse. Over the coming day, Wellesley grew increasingly concerned over

726-554: A considerable time, first with severe diarrhoea from the water and then with fever, followed by a serious skin infection caused by trichophyton . Wellesley was in charge of raising an Anglo-Indian expeditionary force in Trincomali in early 1801 for the capture of Batavia and Mauritius from the French. However, on the eve of its departure, orders arrived from England that it was to be sent to Egypt to co-operate with Sir Ralph Abercromby in

847-689: A few weeks later set sail for Calcutta with his regiment. Arriving in Calcutta in February 1797 he spent 5 months there, before being sent in August to a brief expedition to the Philippines , where he established a list of new hygiene precautions for his men to deal with the unfamiliar climate. Returning in November to India , he learnt that his elder brother Richard , now known as Lord Mornington, had been appointed as

968-623: A known figure after his victories at the Nile and Copenhagen, who was briefly in England after months pursuing the French Toulon fleet to the West Indies and back. Some 30 years later, Wellington recalled a conversation that Nelson began with him which Wellesley found "almost all on his side in a style so vain and silly as to surprise and almost disgust me". Nelson left the room to inquire who the young general

1089-551: A military career in earnest. He became a major by purchase in the 33rd Regiment in 1793. A few months later, in September, his brother lent him more money and with it he purchased a lieutenant-colonelcy in the 33rd. In 1793, the Duke of York was sent to Flanders in command of the British contingent of an allied force destined for the invasion of France. In June 1794, Wellesley with

1210-498: A palace on the beach (now the Hôtel du Palais ). European royalty, including British monarchs Queen Victoria and King Edward VII (who caused a minor scandal when he called H. H. Asquith to kiss hands at Biarritz in 1908 rather than return to London for the ceremony), and the Spanish king Alfonso XIII , were frequent visitors. Biarritz's casino (opened 10 August 1901) and beaches make

1331-497: A retreat, so Wellesley decided to launch an attack immediately. On 23 September, Wellesley led his forces over a ford in the river Kaitna and the Battle of Assaye commenced. After crossing the ford the infantry was reorganised into several lines and advanced against the Maratha infantry. Wellesley ordered his cavalry to exploit the flank of the Maratha army just near the village. During

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1452-597: A reward for his service in India he was made a Knight of the Bath in September. While in India, Wellesley had amassed a fortune of £42,000 (considerable at the time, equivalent to £4 million in 2023), consisting mainly of prize money from his campaign. When his brother's term as Governor-General of India ended in March 1805, the brothers returned together to England on HMS  Howe . Wellesley, coincidentally, stopped on his voyage at

1573-471: A visit and his use of a surfboard off Biarritz is recognized as the first time surfing was practised in Europe. Biarritz eventually became one of the most popular European spots for surfers from around the world, developing a nightlife and surfing-based culture. Cliffs and lookouts lie to the west of the main beach. Although Biarritz's economy was previously based on fishing, it now has a modern economy due to

1694-731: Is twinned with: Saint Martin's Day is celebrated on November 11. On this date, the new gentleman of the Confrérie de l'Operne de Biarritz is proclaimed. Its logo is the barnacle and people with an interest in ecology are chosen. Since Biarritz is a city based on tourism, there are activities during the whole summer, such as pelota, equestrian competitions, concerts and recitals, folklore festivals, acrobatic water skiing, sea trips, performances, rugby competitions, bullfights, and night parties. Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington Field Marshal Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington , ( né   Wesley ; 1 May 1769 – 14 September 1852)

1815-754: Is a city on the Bay of Biscay , on the Atlantic coast in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the French Basque Country in southwestern France . It is located 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the border with Spain . It is a luxurious seaside tourist destination known for the Hôtel du Palais (originally built for the Empress Eugénie c.  1855 ), its seafront casinos, and its surfing culture. Biarritz

1936-560: Is a common misconception that Luz would be the Spanish word for 'light' . The town is named after the frequent floodings which occurred in the area over the centuries. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is located on the Atlantic coast of France, just a few kilometres from the border with Spain. Its wealth stems from its port and its past, with the town being associated with both fishing , and with the capture of vessels by its own Basque corsaires , or pirates (English sailors used to call Saint-Jean-de-Luz

2057-552: Is also a tourism high school on the border of the Western neighborhood of La Négresse. Biarritz station is easily accessible from Paris by France's high-speed train , the TGV , and regionally from Bordeaux, by TGV or TER . Trains are also available to travel east towards Toulouse . Night trains regularly depart from Irun, south of Biarritz, and pass through the city before heading to Paris during an overnight trip. Many tourists and regulars to

2178-494: Is exemplary; he ultimately participated in some 60 battles during the course of his military career, and although not undefeated, he "never lost" a major engagement. Wellington is famous for his adaptive defensive style of warfare, resulting in several victories against numerically superior forces while minimising his own losses. He is regarded as one of the greatest commanders in the modern era , and many of his tactics and battle plans are still studied in military academies around

2299-526: Is located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques department in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region . It is part of the arrondissement of Bayonne , adjacent to Bayonne and Anglet and 35 kilometres (22 mi) from the border with Spain. The city is also in the traditional province of Labourd in the French Basque Country . Biarritz has a temperate oceanic climate , Cfb in the Köppen climate classification . It

2420-1059: Is one of the wettest cities in Metropolitan France. In Basque , its name is Biarritz or Miarritze. Its current Gascon name is Biàrrits. The name for an inhabitant of the city is Biarrot in French and Biarriztar or Miarriztar in Basque. The suffix -itz , as in Isturitz , is a Basque locative . Biarritz appears as Bearids and Bearriz in 1150, Beiarridz in 1165, Bearriz and Beariz in 1170, Bearidz (1186), Bearriz and Beariz (12th century), lo port de Beiarriz and Bearridz in 1261 (cartulaire de Bayonne). Other forms include Beiarid (1199), Bearritz (1249), Beiarriz and Beiarrids (1261), Bearridz (1281), Bearrits (1338), (rôles gascons), Bearritz (1498, chapitre de Bayonne), Sanctus Martinus de Biarriz (1689, collations du diocèse de Bayonne, Mearritcen (1712), Biarrits (1863, Dictionnaire topographique Béarn-Pays basque), as well as Biarritze and Miarritze . Analysis of stones from

2541-521: Is preparing to throw a harpoon. It bears the inscription: Aura, sidus, mare, adjuvant me (The air, the stars and the seas are helping me). Biarritz has long made its living from the sea. After the 7th century, Biarritz had many confrontations with Bayonne, with the Kingdom of England – Lapurdi was under English control – and with the Bishop of Bayonne. Almost all of the disputes were about whale hunting. In 1284,

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2662-573: The Duchy of Aquitaine . Prince Edward, the oldest son of Henry III of England, was invested with the duchy and betrothed to Eleanor of Castile , who brought him rights over Gascony . Two population centers are attested in the Middle Ages. On the one hand, the église Saint-Martin was active in the neighborhoods in the territory's interior, which were: On the other hand, the château of Belay (first mentioned in 1342), also called château de Ferragus, protected

2783-494: The Duke of Rutland (then Lord Lieutenant of Ireland ) to consider Arthur for a commission in the Army. Soon afterward, on 7 March 1787, he was gazetted ensign in the 73rd Regiment of Foot . In October, with the assistance of his brother, he was assigned as aide-de-camp , on ten shillings a day (twice his pay as an ensign), to the new Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Lord Buckingham . He

2904-543: The East India Company having pursued and destroyed his forces once already, forcing him into retreat in August 1799, he raised a sizeable force composed of disbanded Mysore soldiers, captured small outposts and forts in Mysore, and was receiving the support of several Maratha killedars opposed to British occupation. This drew the attention of the British administration, who were beginning to recognise him as more than just

3025-725: The Etxeberri , Isaka and Xantako streams. There is also the Basarun , and its smaller tributary the Mendi , which passes directly through Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The river has been made accessible to boats and it joins the sea by the Erromardia beach. A branch of the Uhabia , an emblematic river in the neighbouring Bidart district, and its smaller Amisola tributary, also pass to the sea through St Jean de Luz. Saint-Jean-de-Luz straddles Route départementale D810,

3146-528: The Merrion Hotel . His mother, Anne, Countess of Mornington, recalled in 1815 that he had been born at 6 Merrion Street . His family's home at Dangan Castle , Dangan near Summerhill , County Meath has also been purported to have been his birthplace. In his obituary, published in The Times in 1852, it was reported that Dangan was unanimously believed to have been the place of his birth, though suggested it

3267-622: The Middle Paleolithic shows that the Biarritz area was inhabited at that time. The oldest mention of the city appears in a cartulary , Bayonne's Golden book , from 1186, where it is named Bearids; some years later the name used was Beiarrids. The first urban development was to the south, at the top, and at the interior. Today this is near the location of the église Saint-Martin, the oldest church in Biarritz. In 1152, Eleanor of Aquitaine married Henry II of England , who became suzerain of

3388-714: The Peninsular War . These included a strong sense of discipline through drill and order, the use of diplomacy to gain allies, and the vital necessity of a secure supply line. He also established high regard for the acquisition of intelligence through scouts and spies. His personal tastes also developed, including dressing himself in white trousers, a dark tunic, with Hessian boots and black cocked hat (that later became synonymous as his style). Wellesley had grown tired of his time in India, remarking "I have served as long in India as any man ought who can serve anywhere else". In June 1804 he applied for permission to return home and as

3509-552: The Roxy Pro event, a tournament in the ASP Women's World Tour . The town is home to a prominent rugby union club, Biarritz Olympique , who have won five French championships and two European Cups . Basque pelota is a very popular sport in the Basque country. Several local and international competitions take place in Biarritz. The golf course near the lighthouse (Le Phare) was established in 1888 by British residents. In addition,

3630-717: The Seventh Coalition defeated Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815. Wellesley was born into a Protestant Ascendancy family in Ireland . He was commissioned as an ensign in the British Army in 1787, serving in Ireland as aide-de-camp to two successive lords lieutenant of Ireland . He was also elected as a member of Parliament in the Irish House of Commons . Rising to the rank of colonel by 1796, Wellesley saw service in

3751-461: The rotten borough of Trim to speak against the granting of the title " Freeman " of Dublin to the parliamentary leader of the Irish Patriot Party , Henry Grattan . Succeeding, he was later nominated and duly elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Trim in the Irish House of Commons . Because of the limited suffrage at the time, he sat in a parliament where at least two-thirds of

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3872-602: The "Viper's Nest"). This prosperity reached its height during the 17th Century, which is still considered as the town's "Golden Age." During this period, Saint-Jean-De-Luz became the second largest town in the Labourd region with a population or around 12,000, just behind Bayonne . Saint-Jean-de-Luz is known for its royal wedding connection. In 1659, Cardinal Mazarin spent several months in Saint-Jean-de-Luz, from where he would embark on almost daily trips to Pheasant Island in

3993-547: The 33rd regiment set sail from Cork bound for Ostend as part of an expedition bringing reinforcements for the army in Flanders. They arrived too late to participate, and joined the Duke of York as he was pulling back towards the Netherlands. On 15 September 1794, at the Battle of Boxtel , east of Breda , Wellington, in temporary command of his brigade, had his first experience of battle. During General Abercromby's withdrawal in

4114-539: The 33rd sailed to join them in August. After extensive and careful logistic preparation (which would become one of Wellesley's main attributes) the 33rd left with the main force in December and travelled across 250 miles (402 km) of jungle from Madras to Mysore. On account of his brother, during the journey, Wellesley was given an additional command, that of chief advisor to the Nizam of Hyderabad 's army (sent to accompany

4235-463: The Académie Ravel, usually in the auditorium of the same name. There is a film festival dedicated to young filmmakers, a surfing film festival and Basque Pelota championships. The origin of Basque Trials of Strength is found in the daily tasks carried out across the region. For centuries, young Basque farmers pitted themselves against each other in physical challenges. Labouring in the forests of

4356-628: The Basque Country fell in the German occupation area. Before the agreement was enforced, a retreating Polish Army was evacuated from the town in mid June 1940. After 1945, some of the traditional fishing-based industries of the Fargeot district gradually disappeared, mainly by overfishing and competition from elsewhere. The change strengthened the transformation of the town towards more luxury and tourism industries. In Saint-Jean-de-Luz over 40% of dwellings of

4477-606: The Basque coast has seen a degree of development, the area between Fort Socoa and the Abbadia nature reserve and castle remains in its natural state. The town features a large number of residences built in the 17th and 18th centuries along the Quai de L'Infante, Rue Mazarin, Rue Gambetta and at the Place Louis XIV. In some respects this is testament to the families, shipowners and Basque merchants from this period. One of these, built alongside

4598-419: The Basque country gave rise to the challenge known as aizkolariak (based on lumberjacks working with an ax or arpanariak ), as well as athletic sawing of tree stumps and wood. The construction of buildings, often based on large stones for the cathedrals and monasteries led to the development of the challenge known as arrijasotzaileak – literally those who lift stones. Several events originate from working in

4719-463: The British advance. On 10 September, at the Battle of Conaghul , Wellesley personally led a charge of 1,400 British dragoons and Indian cavalry, in single line with no reserve, against Dhoondiah and his remaining 5,000 cavalry. Dhoondiah was killed during the clash; his body was discovered and taken to the British camp tied to a cannon. With this victory, Wellesley's campaign was concluded, and British authority had been restored. Wellesley then paid for

4840-400: The British force). This position was to cause friction among many of the senior officers (some of whom were senior to Wellesley). Much of this friction was put to rest after the Battle of Mallavelly , some 20 miles (32 km) from Seringapatam, in which Harris' army attacked a large part of the sultan's army. During the battle, Wellesley led his men, in a line of battle of two ranks, against

4961-522: The Forces until his death . Wellesley was born into an aristocratic Anglo-Irish family, belonging to the Protestant Ascendancy , beginning life as The Hon. Arthur Wesley. Wellesley was born the son of Anne, Countess of Mornington , and Garret Wesley, 1st Earl of Mornington . His father was himself the son of Richard Wesley, 1st Baron Mornington , and had a short career in politics representing

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5082-542: The French Royal Academy of Equitation in Angers , where he progressed significantly, becoming a good horseman and learning French, which later proved very useful. Upon returning to England later the same year, he astonished his mother with his improvement. Despite his new promise, Wellesley had yet to find a job and his family was still short of money, so upon the advice of his mother, his brother Richard asked his friend

5203-403: The French and Spanish aristocracy. By the early 1900s, it turned into the scene of Carlist conspiratorial activities. The composer Maurice Ravel , a native of the nearby town of Ciboure , frequently vacationed at Saint-Jean-de-Luz from Paris , where he was centered for almost his entire life. Following Marshal Pétain 's call for an armistice on the outset of World War II, a coastal fringe of

5324-639: The Low Countries and India , where he fought in the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War at the Siege of Seringapatam . He was appointed governor of Seringapatam and Mysore in 1799 and, as a newly appointed major-general , won a decisive victory over the Maratha Confederacy at the Battle of Assaye in 1803. Rising to prominence as a general officer during the Peninsular War , Wellesley was promoted to

5445-579: The Quai de L'Infante around 1640, is called the "Maison Joanoenea", and it is here that the Queen Mother, Anne of Austria , stayed before the marriage of Louis XIV to Maria Theresa, the Infanta of Spain on 8 May 1660. The Infanta stayed there on 7 June. Locally this house is referred to as the "Maison de l'Infante", and it has become a popular tourist attraction and museum. A monument in the Verdun Square honours

5566-517: The affair affected Wellesley. He resolved "never to attack an enemy who is preparing and strongly posted, and whose posts have not been reconnoitred by daylight". Lewin Bentham Bowring gives this alternative account: One of these groves, called the Sultanpet Tope, was intersected by deep ditches, watered from a channel running in an easterly direction about a mile from the fort. General Baird

5687-403: The ban on fishing off the coasts of North America and the steely competence of English and Dutch fishermen, the number of fishing boats from Biarritz diminished, and nowadays the Biarritz fishing industry in these areas has come to an end. The first lighthouse in the village was built in 1650. Biarritz was an independent municipality until 1784 with a clergyman and four aldermen, and the city

5808-457: The battle Wellesley himself came under fire; two of his horses were shot from under him and he had to mount a third. At a crucial moment, Wellesley regrouped his forces and ordered Colonel Maxwell (later killed in the attack) to attack the eastern end of the Maratha position while Wellesley himself directed a renewed infantry attack against the centre. An officer in the attack wrote of the importance of Wellesley's personal leadership: "The General

5929-610: The beach at the limit of Bidarte (Plage des Basques), to the cape of Saint Martin. There a 44 metres (144 feet) tall white lighthouse can be found, constructed in 1834 to replace the one Louis XIV had ordered built. Various hotels appeared, as did a municipal casino, the Belleuve club, the casino, the thalassotherapy house, and wonderful luxury houses. Luxurious branches of shops from London and Paris were also set up, and 36 small newspapers were published. Biarritz gained renown in 1854 when Empress Eugenie (the wife of Napoleon III ) built

6050-436: The book Atlas Linguistique de Gascogne , Biarritz is considered a Gascon town. However, in 1863, Louis Lucien Bonaparte located the northern frontier of Basque in Biarritz, and in some neighborhoods it was without any doubt the most used language. However, over the course of the 20th century, French became the main language. Beginning in the 1990s, the municipal government of Biarritz has promoted Basque language and culture. At

6171-481: The cemetery. Biarritz had around 1,700 citizens at this time. In the 18th century, doctors claimed that the ocean at Biarritz had therapeutic properties, inspiring patients to make pilgrimages to the beach for alleged cures for their ailments. The city began to transition into a world-famous spa town in the mid-1700s. From 1784 onwards, after the French Revolution , bathing in the sea was no longer reserved for

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6292-402: The church to be married in his footsteps. The Duke of Wellington set up his winter headquarters in the town during the Peninsular War , 1813–14. At the end of the nineteenth century, Saint-Jean-de-Luz became a popular beachside resort town for the surrounding high-society. Like Biarritz (called "The queen of the beaches, the beach of kings"), Saint-Jean-de-Luz was particularly appreciated by

6413-548: The city have begun using the night train to take weekend trips to Biarritz and saving travel time by traveling at night. The Biarritz – Anglet – Bayonne Airport is located about four kilometres (2.5 miles) from the city. It is near the N10 road towards Anglet and is served by airlines from France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Ireland and Germany. Biarritz was the birthplace of: Other notable people associated with Biarritz: Biarritz

6534-469: The coast and the current Port-Vieux (old port), while religious life and community assemblies took place at Notre-Dame-de-Pitié (a chapel mentioned in 1498), dominating the Port-des-Pêcheurs, or fishing port. A document dated May 26, 1342, attested to this fishing activity, authorising les Biarrots to "(…) remit to Bayonne all the fresh fish that we and succeeding inhabitants of Biarritz can fish from

6655-410: The constituency of Trim in the Irish House of Commons before succeeding his father as Baron Mornington in 1758. Garret Mornington was also an accomplished composer , and in recognition of his musical and philanthropic achievements was elevated to the rank of Earl of Mornington in 1760. Wellesley's mother was the eldest daughter of Arthur Hill-Trevor, 1st Viscount Dungannon , after whom Wellesley

6776-575: The cost of only 361 British casualties. A further successful attack at the fortress at Gawilghur , combined with the victory of General Lake at Delhi , forced the Maratha to sign a peace settlement at Anjangaon (not concluded until a year later) called the Treaty of Surji-Anjangaon . Military historian Richard Holmes remarked that Wellesley's experiences in India had an important influence on his personality and military tactics, teaching him much about military matters that would prove vital to his success in

6897-460: The damp environment. Though the campaign was to end disastrously, with the British army driven out of the United Provinces into the German states, Wellesley became more aware of battle tactics, including the use of lines of infantry against advancing columns, and the merits of supporting sea-power. He understood that the failure of the campaign was due in part to the faults of the leaders and

7018-405: The daughter of Edward Pakenham, 2nd Baron Longford . She was described as being full of 'gaiety and charm'. In 1793, he proposed, but was turned down by her brother Thomas , 2nd Earl of Longford , who considered Wellesley to be a young man, in debt, with very poor prospects. An aspiring amateur musician, Wellesley, devastated by the rejection, burnt his violins in anger, and resolved to pursue

7139-419: The enemy to a gentle ridge and gave the order to fire. After an extensive repetition of volleys, followed by a bayonet charge, the 33rd, in conjunction with the rest of Harris's force, forced Tipu's infantry to retreat. Immediately after their arrival at Seringapatam on 5 April 1799, the Battle of Seringapatam began and Wellesley was ordered to lead a night attack on the village of Sultanpettah, adjacent to

7260-548: The expulsion of the French from Egypt . Wellesley had been appointed second in command to Baird, but owing to ill health did not accompany the expedition on 9 April 1801. This was fortunate for Wellesley, since the vessel on which he was to have sailed sank in the Red Sea. He was promoted to brigadier-general on 17 July 1801. He took residence within the Sultan's summer palace and reformed

7381-404: The face of superior French forces, the 33rd held off enemy cavalry, allowing neighbouring units to retreat safely. During the extremely harsh winter that followed, Wellesley and his regiment formed part of an allied force holding the defence line along the Waal River . The 33rd, along with the rest of the army, suffered heavy losses from attrition and illness. Wellesley's health was also affected by

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7502-439: The fields, the best known of which is lastoaltxatzea , the lifting of straw bales. This is done either using a pitchfork or a pulley, and is often organized in tandem with joko (cart-lifting), zakulasterka (individual relay or sack races), and untziketariak , a race involving pitchers of milk. Also well-known is soka-shot , or tug-of-war, which is an internationally recognised discipline celebrated in fourteen countries. During

7623-412: The fortress to clear the way for the artillery. Because of a variety of factors including the Mysorean army's strong defensive preparations and the darkness the attack failed with 25 casualties due to confusion among the British. Wellesley suffered a minor injury to his knee from a spent musket-ball. Although they would re-attack successfully the next day, after time to scout ahead the enemy's positions,

7744-456: The future upkeep of Dhoondiah's orphaned son. In September 1802, Wellesley learnt that he had been promoted to the rank of major-general . He had been gazetted on 29 April 1802, but the news took several months to reach him by sea. He remained at Mysore until November when he was sent to command an army in the Second Anglo-Maratha War . When he determined that a long defensive war would ruin his army, Wellesley decided to act boldly to defeat

7865-411: The ground and bound along in a serpentine motion until their force was spent. According to one British observer, a young English officer named Bayly: "So pestered were we with the rocket boys that there was no moving without danger from the destructive missiles ...". He continued: The rockets and musketry from 20,000 of the enemy were incessant. No hail could be thicker. Every illumination of blue lights

7986-443: The hills, railings in the dunes, kiosks in the rocks, seats in the caves, trousers worn on tourists." For good or for ill, Hugo's prophecy was fulfilled. Biarritz planted poplars , tamarinds , hydrangeas , roses and pittosporums on the slopes and the hills, set railings on the dunes, covered moats with elegant stairs and polluted with land speculation and hunger for money. Tourists have long been drawn to Biarritz's coast, from

8107-456: The infamous Atlantic Wall , German defences against the anticipated Allied invasion of Westen France. Some remains are still visible on the Santa-Barbe promenade. Nowadays, St-Jean-de-Luz depends strongly on tourism with safe clean beaches, notable high quality hotels and a seawater spa, swimming pools, a casino, golf courses and a conference centre that is under construction. The town also benefits from regional tourism, with many attracted by

8228-442: The island of Saint Helena and stayed in the same building in which Napoleon I would live during his later exile. In September 1805, Major-General Wellesley was newly returned from his campaigns in India and was not yet particularly well known to the public. He reported to the office of the Secretary of State for War and the Colonies to request a new assignment. In the waiting room, he met Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson , already

8349-400: The lack of discipline among his men, who drank and pillaged the fortress and city. To restore order, several soldiers were flogged and four hanged . After battle and the resulting end of the war, the main force under General Harris left Seringapatam and Wellesley, aged 30, stayed behind to command the area as the new Governor of Seringapatam and Mysore. While in India, Wellesley was ill for

8470-561: The launch of the Paris– Hendaye train led Biarritz to become one of the most outstanding tourist areas in Europe. The queen of the beaches became the beach of the kings and queens: Oscar II of Sweden , Leopold of Belgium , empress of Russia Maria Feodorovna , mother of Nicholas II of Russia , Empress Elisabeth of Austria , Natalie of Serbia and her son Alexander I of Serbia , George V from Britain, Edward VII and Britain's Queen Victoria , Alfonso XIII of Spain , as well aristocrats, rich people and actors from Europe and South America. In

8591-418: The light works made by Pierre Bideau can be seen at night on the cliff. Two film festivals of cinema are celebrated in Biarritz: Surfing in Biarritz is of a world-class standard and first appeared in 1957. The town has a strong surfing culture, and is known worldwide for its surfing scene and the competitions it hosts yearly, including the Quiksilver/Roxy Jam tournament. In July 2011, Biarritz also hosted

8712-432: The main battle, rocketeers maneuvered to the rear of the British encampment, then 'threw a great number of rockets at the same instant' to signal the beginning of an assault by 6,000 Indian infantry and a corps of Frenchmen, all ordered by Mir Golam Hussain and Mohomed Hulleen Mir Miran. The rockets had a range of about 1,000 yards. Some burst in the air like shells . Others, called ground rockets, would rise again on striking

8833-464: The majority (around 30,000) were irregular light cavalry and unlikely to pose a serious threat to British infantry and artillery. Throughout June–August 1800, Wellesley advanced through Waugh's territory, his troops escalading forts in turn and capturing each one with "trifling loss". The forts generally offered little resistance due to their poor construction and design. Wellesley did not have sufficient troops to garrison each fort and had to clear

8954-552: The members owed their election to the landowners of fewer than a hundred boroughs. Wellesley continued to serve at Dublin Castle , voting with the government in the Irish parliament over the next two years. He became a captain on 30 January 1791, and was transferred to the 58th Regiment of Foot . On 31 October, he transferred to the 18th Light Dragoons and it was during this period that he grew increasingly attracted to Kitty Pakenham ,

9075-464: The memory of the fallen soldiers from World War I and World War II , and another monument on the Quai L'Infante is dedicated to the resistance movement Orion. This second plaque commemorates the importance of the work of French escape networks which helped people evade capture in Occupied France during World War II. Finally, there are some bunkers still visible along the coast. These formed part of

9196-498: The mentally ill; sea-baths became fashionable. In 1808, Napoleon himself broke with prejudices and bathed in the Basque Country's coastal waters. In 1840, the Municipality of Biarritz started an initiative to attract tourists to the seaside. Victor Hugo , who visited in 1843, wrote glowingly of Biarritz in his book Alpes et Pyrénées : "I have not met in the world any place more pleasant and perfect than Biarritz. I have never seen

9317-463: The metropolitan location of Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz. Together with Bayonne and Anglet, Biarritz takes part in the management of the BAB Airport. The most important economic activities are: As in the cases of Anglet and Bayonne, also located in the approximate cultural border between Gascony and the Basque Country, it is uncertain if the historic language of Biarritz was Basque or Gascon. According to

9438-577: The new Governor-General of India . In 1798, he changed the spelling of his surname to "Wellesley"; up to this time he was still known as Wesley, which his eldest brother considered the ancient and proper spelling. As part of the campaign to extend the rule of the British East India Company , the Fourth Anglo-Mysore War broke out in 1798 against the Sultan of Mysore , Tipu Sultan . Arthur's brother Richard ordered that an armed force be sent to capture Seringapatam and defeat Tipu. During

9559-466: The numerically larger force of the Maratha Empire . With the logistic assembly of his army complete (24,000 men in total) he gave the order to break camp and attack the nearest Maratha fort on 8 August 1803. The fort surrendered on 12 August after an infantry attack had exploited an artillery-made breach in the wall. With the fort now in British control Wellesley was able to extend control southwards to

9680-719: The old Route nationale 10. The town can be reached from the A63 motorway, Exit 3 (Saint-Jean-de-Luz Nord) and Exit 2 (Saint-Jean-de-Luz Sud). The Saint-Jean-de-Luz-Ciboure station is served by the SNCF Bordeaux–Irun railway . Biarritz Airport is the closest airport to Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Saint-Jean-de-Luz is the French adaptation of the Labourdine Basque Donibane Lohizune – from done 'saint', Ibane 'John' and lohi 'mud' + -z 'made of' + -une 'place of'; thus meaning 'Saint John's swamp'. It

9801-486: The old Neptune throwing joy and glory with such a force in the old Cybele. All this coast is full of humming. Gascony's sea grinds, scratches, and stretches on the reefs its never-ending whisper. Friendly population and white cheerful houses, large dunes, fine sand, great caves and proud sea, Biarritz is amazing. My only fear is Biarritz becoming fashionable. Whether this happens, the wild village, rural and still honest Biarritz, will be money-hungry. Biarritz will put poplars in

9922-479: The pedestrian area full of shops open all year round. It also attracts a large number of visitors from Basque Country , Spain, or Gipuzkoa along with many from nearby Bayonne and the rest of southwestern France. The city is particularly attractive to retired people, many of whom come to settle there from other areas across France. Many cultural and sporting events are held throughout the year. There are internships and public concerts of classical music organized by

10043-415: The poor organisation at headquarters. He remarked later of his time in the Netherlands that "At least I learned what not to do, and that is always a valuable lesson". Returning to England in March 1795, he was reinstated as a member of parliament for Trim. He hoped to be given the position of secretary of war in the new Irish government but the new lord-lieutenant, Lord Camden , was only able to offer him

10164-519: The post of Surveyor-General of the Ordnance . Declining the post, he returned to his regiment, now at Southampton preparing to set sail for the West Indies . After seven weeks at sea, a storm forced the fleet back to Poole . The 33rd was given time to recuperate and a few months later, Whitehall decided to send the regiment to India. Wellesley was promoted full colonel by seniority on 3 May 1796 and

10285-642: The rank of field marshal after leading British-led forces to victory against the French at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813. Following Napoleon's first exile in 1814, he served as the British ambassador to France and was made Duke of Wellington . During the Hundred Days campaign in 1815, Wellington commanded another British-led army which, together with the Prussian Army under Field Marshal Gebhard von Blücher , defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. Wellington's battle record

10406-451: The river Bidassoa (near modern-day Hendaye ) for Franco-Spanish meetings that resulted in the Treaty of the Pyrenees , one clause of which was the marriage of Louis XIV to Maria Theresa, the Infanta of Spain . Saint-Jean-de-Luz and its church were chosen to host the royal wedding on 9 June 1660. The marriage is one of the most important political marriages in history that brought an end to

10527-482: The river Godavari . Splitting his army into two forces to pursue and locate the main Marathas army (the second force, commanded by Colonel Stevenson was far smaller), Wellesley was preparing to rejoin his forces on 24 September. His intelligence, however, reported the location of the Marathas' main army, between two rivers near Assaye . If he waited for the arrival of his second force, the Marathas would be able to mount

10648-484: The salt sea". Construction of the château de Ferragus was initiated by the English, on the foundations of a Roman work, at the summit of the promontory overlooking the sea, named Atalaye, used as a whale-observation post. This château had a double crenulated wall two meters thick, a drawbridge and four towers. Mentions of this château occur as late as 1603, in the letters patent of Henry IV . One tower remained as of 1739 when

10769-717: The same contemporary newspaper evidence, which states that he was born on 1 May 1769, the day before he was baptised in St. Peter's Church on Aungier Street in Dublin. However, Ernest Lloyd states "registry of St. Peter's Church, Dublin, shows that he was christened there on 30 April 1769". His baptismal font was donated to St. Nahi's Church in Dundrum, Dublin , in 1914. Wellesley may have been born at his parents' townhouse, Mornington House at 6 Merrion Street (the address later became known as 24 Upper Merrion Street), Dublin, which now forms part of

10890-576: The same time, Gascon has been promoted by various private institutions, for instance the Gascon cultural association, Ací Gasconha. [19] The city has the Ballet of Biarritz, an important centre of French dance. It is also home to the cultural centre Atabal and the chorus Oldarra, created in 1946. The emperors Napoleon III and Eugene of Montijo brought the sea-theater on the Old Port neighborhood into fashion. Nowadays,

11011-717: The second Dangan Castle , 3 miles (5 km) north of Summerhill in County Meath . In 1781, Arthur's father died and his eldest brother Richard inherited his father's earldom. He went to the diocesan school in Trim when at Dangan, Mr Whyte's Academy when in Dublin, and Brown's School in Chelsea when in London. He then enrolled at Eton College , where he studied from 1781 to 1784. His loneliness there caused him to hate it, and makes it highly unlikely that he actually said "The Battle of Waterloo

11132-555: The start of the 20th century, most of its workers spoke English. At the end of World War II in Europe, the U.S. Army's Information and Educational Branch was ordered to establish an overseas university campus for demobilized American servicemen and women in the French resort town of Biarritz. Under General Samuel L. McCroskey, the hotels and casinos of Biarritz were converted into quarters, labs, and class spaces for U.S. service personnel. The University opened on 10 August 1945 and about 10,000 students attended an eight-week term. This campus

11253-563: The summer, demonstrations of Force Basque are organised by the local Xiste organization, often at the main municipal arena in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Biarritz Biarritz ( UK : / b ɪəˈr ɪ t s , ˈ b ɪər ɪ t s / beer- ITS , BEER -its , US : / ˌ b iː ə ˈ r ɪ t s , ˈ b iː ə r ɪ t s / BEE -ə- RITS , -⁠rits , French: [bjaʁits] , Basque: [bi.arits̻] ; also spelled Miarritze [mi.arits̻e] ; Occitan : Biàrritz [ˈbjarits] )

11374-468: The summer, people of high status gathered in Biarritz. The population thereby increased considerably, from 5,000 to 18,000. At the end of the 19th century, 50,000 vacationers were gathering in Biarritz. During the Belle Époque of European peace and prosperity, in 1894, a department store called Biarritz Bonheur was created. It was enlarged twice (in 1911 and 1926). It became the temple of luxury and fashion. By

11495-457: The surrounding area of insurgents before advancing to the next fort. On 31 July, he had "taken and destroyed Dhoondiah's baggage and six guns, and driven into the Malpoorba (where they were drowned) about five thousand people". Dhoondiah continued to retreat, but his forces were rapidly deserting, he had no infantry and due to the monsoon weather flooding river crossings he could no longer outpace

11616-481: The tax and justice systems in his province to maintain order and prevent bribery. In 1800, whilst serving as Governor of Mysore, Wellesley was tasked with putting down an insurgency led by Dhoondiah Waugh , formerly a Patan trooper for Tipu Sultan . Having escaped after the fall of Seringapatam he became a powerful brigand, raiding villages along the Maratha–Mysore border region. Despite initial setbacks,

11737-499: The theory that he was born in Dublin is generally accepted but by no means proved". Other places that have been put forward as the location of his birth include a coach between Meath and Dublin, the Dublin packet boat and the Wellesley townhouse in Trim, County Meath. Wellesley spent most of his childhood at his family's two homes, the first a large house in Dublin, Mornington House , and

11858-456: The tope, was at once attacked in the darkness of night by a tremendous fire of musketry and rockets. The men, floundering about amidst the trees and the water-courses, at last broke, and fell back in disorder, some being killed and a few taken prisoners. In the confusion Colonel Wellesley was himself struck on the knee by a spent ball, and narrowly escaped falling into the hands of the enemy. A few weeks later, after extensive artillery bombardment,

11979-577: The tower disappeared. In the 16th century, as a consequence of hunting in the area, or for other reasons, the whales migrated elsewhere. Whale hunters from Lapurdi, therefore, crossed the Atlantic Ocean in pursuit of them and spent over a century in the Labrador Peninsula and on Newfoundland . Later, instead of hunting whales, they started to fish for cod in Newfoundland. A century later, due to

12100-485: The town a notable tourist centre for Europeans and East Coast North Americans. Opened in June 1893, Biarritz's salt baths were designed and built by the architect Lagarde. Sourced from the gatzagas of Beskoitz and passing through a 20-kilometre (12 mi) pipe, water ten times saltier than the sea was used. The baths were closed in 1953 and demolished in 1968. The presence of the French Republic 's authorities and

12221-526: The town are second homes. In the 1960s, the town expanded northwards (Avenue de l'Ocean) and also southwards in the direction of (the Urdazuri district). Since the 1970s, St Jean de Luz has been connected to Bordeaux to the north and Spain to the south by the motorway, and more recently by the TGV railway . St-Jean-de-Luz boasts extensive and attractive land and scenery, as well as a well-preserved coastline which has so far escaped urbanization . Although some of

12342-518: The town from the full savagery of the Atlantic Ocean, it has become a favorite for bathers across the Basque Coast. Although the seaside resort is relatively recent, the port itself is centuries old, with the most prominent point in its history being the marriage in 1660 of Louis XIV and the Spanish princess Maria Teresa. Water from the area flows into the town from the Nivelle and its smaller tributaries,

12463-477: The town has a large circular golf range area on the border with Illbaritz. The Hippodrome des fleurs is a horse racing venue . It is a trotting racecourse with an 803 m sand track with a right-hand rope. It is one of the shortest tracks in France . The city has two public schools (Villa Fal and Jean Rostand) and one private school (Immaculée-Conception). Malraux High School is the only one in Biarritz. There

12584-498: The town's right to hunt whales was reinstated by the authorities of Lapurdi and the Duchy of Aquitaine . During the Middle Ages and early modern period , a watchtower looked down over the sea at Biarritz, from "La Humade", waiting for the sight of a whale. Whenever those keeping watch saw a whale, they would burn wet straw to create a large amount of smoke and thus communicate the news to their fellow countrymen. Eventually, however,

12705-649: The town. The summit can be reached by the Petit train de la Rhune , which starts from the Col de Saint-Ignace, 10.5 km (6.5 mi) east of the town on the D4 road to Sare . It is in the traditional province of Lapurdi of the Basque Country . Saint-Jean-de-Luz bay is a natural harbour in the south-east of the Bay of Biscay . It is the only sheltered bay between Arcachon and Spain. Thanks to its strong sea walls or dykes that protect

12826-434: The war, rockets were used on several occasions. Wellesley was almost defeated by Tipu's Diwan, Purnaiah , at the Battle of Sultanpet Tope . Quoting Forrest, At this point (near the village of Sultanpet, Figure 5) there was a large tope, or grove, which gave shelter to Tipu's rocketmen and had obviously to be cleaned out before the siege could be pressed closer to Srirangapattana island. The commander chosen for this operation

12947-669: The world. After the end of his active military career, Wellington returned to politics. He was twice British prime minister as a member of the Tory party from 1828 to 1830 and for a little less than a month in 1834. Wellington oversaw the passage of the Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829 , while he opposed the Reform Act 1832 . He continued to be one of the leading figures in the House of Lords until his retirement and remained Commander-in-Chief of

13068-429: Was Col. Wellesley, but advancing towards the tope after dark on the 5th April 1799, he was set upon with rockets and musket-fires, lost his way and, as Beatson politely puts it, had to "postpone the attack" until a more favourable opportunity should offer. The following day, Wellesley launched a fresh attack with a larger force, and took the whole position without any killed in action. On 22 April 1799, twelve days before

13189-411: Was accompanied by a shower of rockets, some of which entered the head of the column, passing through to the rear, causing death, wounds, and dreadful lacerations from the long bamboos of twenty or thirty feet, which are invariably attached to them. Under the command of General Harris , some 24,000 troops were dispatched to Madras (to join an equal force being sent from Bombay in the west). Arthur and

13310-399: Was also transferred to the new 76th Regiment forming in Ireland and on Christmas Day, 1787, was promoted lieutenant . During his time in Dublin his duties were mainly social; attending balls, entertaining guests and providing advice to Buckingham. While in Ireland, he overextended himself in borrowing due to his occasional gambling, but in his defence stated that "I have often known what it

13431-575: Was an Anglo-Irish military officer and statesman who was one of the leading military and political figures in Britain during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, serving twice as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom . He is among the commanders who ended the Anglo-Mysore Wars when Tipu Sultan was killed in the fourth war in 1799 and among those who ended the Napoleonic Wars in a victory when

13552-416: Was and, on his return, switched to a very different tone, discussing the war, the state of the colonies, and the geopolitical situation as between equals. On this second discussion, Wellington recalled, "I don't know that I ever had a conversation that interested me more". This was the only time that the two men met; Nelson was killed at his victory at Trafalgar seven weeks later. Wellesley then served in

13673-497: Was directed to scour this grove and dislodge the enemy, but on his advancing with this object on the night of the 5th, he found the tope unoccupied. The next day, however, the Mysore troops again took possession of the ground, and as it was absolutely necessary to expel them, two columns were detached at sunset for the purpose. The first of these, under Colonel Shawe, got possession of a ruined village, which it successfully held. The second column, under Colonel Wellesley, on advancing into

13794-400: Was governed by twelve deputies. Deputies were democratically chosen: there were four districts (Portua, Bustingorri, Hurlaga and Alto), and three deputies had to be chosen from each of them. However, deputies were chosen by the abbot and aldermen. Since there was no Town Hall, they gathered in a ward near the church. As there was not enough space for all in attendance, they held their meetings in

13915-535: Was in the thick of the action the whole time ... I never saw a man so cool and collected as he was ... though I can assure you, till our troops got the order to advance the fate of the day seemed doubtful ..." With some 6,000 Marathas killed or wounded, the enemy was routed, though Wellesley's force was in no condition to pursue. British casualties were heavy: the British losses amounted to 428 killed, 1,138 wounded and 18 missing (the British casualty figures were taken from Wellesley's own despatch). Wellesley

14036-454: Was named. Through Elizabeth of Rhuddlan , Wellesley was a descendant of Edward I . Wellesley was the sixth of nine children born to the Earl and Countess of Mornington. His siblings included Richard, Viscount Wellesley , later 1st Marquess Wellesley , 2nd Earl of Mornington , and Baron Maryborough . The exact date and location of Wellesley's birth is not known, but biographers mostly follow

14157-496: Was set up to provide a transition between army life and subsequent attendance at a university in the US, so students attended for just one term. After three successful terms, the G.I. University closed in March 1946 (see G. I. American Universities ). In 1957, American film director Peter Viertel was in Biarritz with his British wife, actress Deborah Kerr , working on the film The Sun Also Rises . One of his Californian friends came for

14278-400: Was to be in want of money, but I have never got helplessly into debt". On 23 January 1788, he transferred into the 41st Regiment of Foot , then again on 25 June 1789 he transferred to the 12th (Prince of Wales's) Regiment of (Light) Dragoons and, according to military historian Richard Holmes , he also reluctantly entered politics. Shortly before the general election of 1789, he went to

14399-501: Was troubled by the loss of men and remarked that he hoped "I should not like to see again such loss as I sustained on 23 September, even if attended by such gain". Years later, however, he remarked that Assaye and not Waterloo was the best battle he ever fought. Despite the damage done to the Maratha army, the battle did not end the war. A few months later in November, Wellesley attacked a larger force near Argaum , leading his army to victory again, with an astonishing 5,000 enemy dead at

14520-426: Was unlikely, but not impossible, that the family had travelled to Dublin for his baptism. A pillar was erected in his honour near Dangan in 1817. The place of his birth has been much disputed following his death, with Sir J.B. Burke writing the following in 1873: "Isn't it remarkable that until recently all the old memoirs of the Duke of Wellington seemed to infer that County Meath was the place of birth. Nowadays

14641-531: Was won on the playing fields of Eton", a quotation which is often attributed to him. Moreover, Eton had no playing fields at the time. In 1785, a lack of success at Eton, combined with a shortage of family funds due to his father's death, forced the young Wellesley and his mother to move to Brussels . Until his early twenties, Arthur showed little sign of distinction and his mother grew increasingly concerned at his idleness, stating, "I don't know what I shall do with my awkward son Arthur." In 1786, Arthur enrolled in

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