James Bringfeild

James Bringfeild also spelt Bringfield (1656–1706) was equerry to Prince George of Denmark and Aide-de-camp to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. He was killed in the Battle of Ramillies.

Colonel James Bringfeild
Engraving of a memorial tablet at Westminster Abbey by William Richardson. Presented to Abingdon School in 1905.
Born1656
Abingdon-on-Thames
Died(1706-05-23)May 23, 1706
Ramillies, Belgium

Education

Born in Abingdon, he was educated at John Roysse's Free School in Abingdon (now Abingdon School) from c.1666-c.1670.[1]

Career

He was commissioned as a Cornet with the Charles Talbot, 1st Duke of Shrewsbury's Regiment of Horse (1685). He was promoted to Captain 1st Troop of Life Guards, Major of Horse (1702) and then Lieutenant Colonel, 1st Life Guards.[1][2] He later became equerry to Prince George of Denmark and Aide-de-camp to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough during the Battle of Blenheim and Battle of Ramillies.[1] According to his will he was from the parish of St Margaret's, Westminster.[3]

Death
An 18th century playing card depicting the death of James Bringfeild

He was killed during the Battle of Ramillies on 23 May 1706. There is a memorial tablet to his memory in the north aisle of the nave at Westminster Abbey.[4] The account of the death was recorded by Captain Robert Parker of the Royal Regiment of Foot of Ireland, who wrote "His Grace (the Duke of Marlborough) had another narrow escape; when in shifting back from Captain Molesworth's horse to his own, Colonel Bringfield holding the stirrup, was killed by a cannon-shot from the village of Ramillies." The death is mentioned in the Duke's letter to his wife Sarah.[2] It is believed that the shot may have decapitated him and the manner of his death resulted in many poems and stories being compiled during the period.[2]

Family and other life

He was married to Clemence Bringfeild who was responsible for erecting the memorial tablet.[4] His coat of arms was an azure shield with three pears.[5]

His death highlighted the use of the Ramillies wig which subsequently became a fashion.[1] [6]

See also

References
  1. "OAs In Memoriam". Abingdon School.
  2. Verbeke, Demmy (2011). Journal of the Society for Army Historical Research Vol. 89, No. 358. Society for Army Historical Research. pp. 107–116.
  3. "Will of James Bringfield, Colonel of Saint Margaret Westminster , Middlesex". National Archives.
  4. "James Bringfield". Westminster Abbey.
  5. Kent, Samuel (1726). Abridgment of Guillim, being a compleat system of Heraldry. Royal Exchange Cornhill.
  6. "Pigtails and Ramillies". Fashion Encyclopedia.
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