George Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, English field marshal and politician (d. 1888)

George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan, a figure whose life intertwined with pivotal moments in 19th-century British and Irish history, was an Anglo-Irish aristocrat and a distinguished British Army officer. Born on April 16, 1800, and passing away on November 10, 1888, he carried the title Lord Bingham before inheriting the earldom in 1839, marking a career that spanned nearly the entire century and left behind a multifaceted, often controversial, legacy. His life encompassed high military command, a notorious landlordism during Ireland's darkest hour, and an unexpected role in advancing civil liberties.

A Military Life and the Fateful Charge

Lord Lucan's military career reached its most scrutinised point during the Crimean War (1853–1856), a conflict often remembered for its logistical failures and the heroism of its soldiers. Serving as commander of the Cavalry Division, he was present at the Battle of Balaclava in October 1854, an engagement etched into history by a single, catastrophic order. Alongside the overall commander, Lord Raglan, and Captain Louis Edward Nolan, the aide-de-camp who delivered the controversial instruction, Lucan was implicated in the chain of events that led to the infamous Charge of the Light Brigade.

The order, ambiguous in its original phrasing and misinterpreted in the chaos of battle, directed the Light Brigade to advance into a heavily defended valley, directly against Russian artillery. Lucan, tasked with executing the order and having some discretion as the cavalry division commander, conveyed it to his brother-in-law, James Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan, who commanded the Light Brigade. Despite their personal animosity, Cardigan led his men forward into a suicidal assault, resulting in devastating casualties. While Lucan protested the order to Nolan, he ultimately passed it on, a decision for which he faced considerable public and military criticism, though he maintained he was merely obeying a direct command.

Despite the immense controversy and the profound loss of life at Balaclava, Lucan’s military career continued, culminating in his promotion to the highest rank in the British Army: Field Marshal. This promotion, a testament to his longevity and continued service, occurred much later in his life, long after the immediate furor of the Crimean War had subsided, demonstrating a complex official reckoning with his past actions.

The Ruthless Landlord of An Gorta Mór

Beyond the battlefields, Lord Lucan's impact was felt profoundly in his native Ireland, particularly during the Great Famine, or An Gorta Mór, which devastated the country between 1845 and 1849. As a major Anglo-Irish landowner in County Mayo, his approach to the crisis earned him a notorious reputation as a "ruthless landlord." While many landlords struggled to manage their estates during this period of immense suffering, Lucan's policies were particularly severe.

He famously, and tragically, evicted thousands of his Irish tenants, many of whom were already suffering from starvation and disease, from their smallholdings. His motivation was largely economic: he aimed to consolidate his fragmented estates, clear the land of unprofitable small farmers, and replace them with larger, more commercially viable grazing farms, which he then rented to wealthy ranchers. This practice, part of the broader "Clearances" that reshaped the Irish landscape, led to immense destitution, forced emigration, and left a lasting scar on his legacy, marking him as a figure of condemnation in Irish history.

An Unexpected Stance on Civil Liberties

In stark contrast to his actions as a landlord, Lord Lucan displayed a remarkably progressive stance on religious equality, particularly concerning the rights of Jewish people in Britain. At a time when members of the Jewish faith were barred from sitting in the Houses of Parliament due to the requirement of an oath sworn "upon the true faith of a Christian," Lucan emerged as a proponent of reform.

He actively championed a solution that would allow Jewish individuals to take their seats, essentially advocating for the modification or removal of the Christian-specific wording in the parliamentary oath. His efforts contributed significantly to the eventual passage of legislation, such as the Jewish Disabilities Act of 1858, which finally enabled Jews to become Members of Parliament. This aspect of his career showcases a surprisingly liberal viewpoint on civil liberties, standing in sharp relief against the backdrop of his landlord practices and military controversies, painting a portrait of a complex, often contradictory, historical figure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lord Lucan

Who was Field Marshal George Charles Bingham, 3rd Earl of Lucan?
He was a prominent Anglo-Irish aristocrat and British Army officer (1800-1888) known for his role in the Crimean War, his controversial landlord practices during the Great Famine, and his efforts to allow Jewish individuals to sit in Parliament.
What was Lord Lucan's role in the Charge of the Light Brigade?
As the commander of the Cavalry Division at the Battle of Balaclava in 1854, he was part of the command structure that issued and transmitted the fateful order for the Charge. He passed the disputed order to his subordinate, the Earl of Cardigan, who led the charge, resulting in heavy losses.
How did Lord Lucan treat his tenants during the Great Famine in Ireland?
He gained a notorious reputation as a "ruthless landlord." During An Gorta Mór, he evicted thousands of his starving tenants from their homes, consolidating their smallholdings to create larger, more profitable grazing farms for wealthy ranchers.
What was his contribution to Jewish emancipation?
Lord Lucan was an advocate for religious equality, specifically championing a solution that allowed Jewish people to overcome the parliamentary oath barrier and take their seats in the Houses of Parliament. His efforts were instrumental in the eventual legislative reforms.
What does the title "Field Marshal" signify?
Field Marshal is the highest rank in the British Army, typically awarded for exceptional service or in wartime, often to general officers who have commanded armies in the field. It is a prestigious honorary title.
Who was the Earl of Cardigan in relation to Lord Lucan?
The 7th Earl of Cardigan, James Brudenell, who famously led the Charge of the Light Brigade, was Lord Lucan's brother-in-law. Despite this familial connection, their relationship was marked by intense professional rivalry and personal animosity.