William Henry WELDON

1837 (age 82)

Weldon"s career at the College of Arms began in 1870 with his appointment as Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary. This was followed in 1880 with an appointment as Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary. He was appointed Norroy King of Arms in 1894 and served in that post until 1911, when he was made Clarenceux King of Arms. Weldon served in the final post until 1919. Weldon is most unusual among the heralds of the College of Arms for having once been the owner of a circus. They later lived in Tavistock House in Bloomsbury, London, and for a period the French composer Charles Gounod lodged with them. There were rumours that Gounod and Mrs Weldon were lovers. Georgina was seen by the necessary two doctors, who obtained an interview with her under false pretences, pretending they were interested in her musical orphanage, and they signed the lunacy order. Georgina realised that something was wrong and, when people from the asylum arrived to take her away by force, she escaped and evaded capture for the seven days that the order remained valid. Between 1883 and 1888 she successfully sued all those involved in trying to have her committed in 1878. On his death in 1919 he left his widow £7565 17s 4d.

William Henry WELDON

Edit Profile

registrar

Background

WELDON, William Henry was born in 1837. Son of William Weldon of Bramley Hall, Yorkshire.

Education

Harrow. Norroy King-of-Arrns since 1894.

Career

Weldon"s career at the College of Arms began in 1870 with his appointment as Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary. This was followed in 1880 with an appointment as Windsor Herald of Arms in Ordinary. He was appointed Norroy King of Arms in 1894 and served in that post until 1911, when he was made Clarenceux King of Arms.

Weldon served in the final post until 1919.

Weldon is most unusual among the heralds of the College of Arms for having once been the owner of a circus. They later lived in Tavistock House in Bloomsbury, London, and for a period the French composer Charles Gounod lodged with them.

There were rumours that Gounod and Mrs Weldon were lovers. Georgina was seen by the necessary two doctors, who obtained an interview with her under false pretences, pretending they were interested in her musical orphanage, and they signed the lunacy order.

Georgina realised that something was wrong and, when people from the asylum arrived to take her away by force, she escaped and evaded capture for the seven days that the order remained valid.

Between 1883 and 1888 she successfully sued all those involved in trying to have her committed in 1878. On his death in 1919 he left his widow £7565 17s 4d.

Membership

Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. Clubs: Army and Navy, Garrick.

Interests

Boat-sailing and motor-boating.

Connections

Partner:: Annie Stanley Dobson

View map

Born

1837
Died

August 25, 1919 (aged 82)

Bloomsbury
Nationality
British

Official Titles

Commander of the Royal Victorian Order 1902.

Awards

Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order

Main Photo