Warley Camp (painting)

It depicts a scene from October 1778 when a British Army encampment took place during the American War of Independence. Following France's entry into the war,. Britain was faced with the prospect of a French Invasion. A large gathering of British troops took place at Warley Common in Essex. George III and his wife Queen Charlotte came to review the assembled troops who then took part in a military exercise.^[2] In 1804 during the Napoleonic Wars a permanent Warley Barracks was established at the location.

The painter sketched a number of soldiers as preparation for the work.^[3] The paintings were commissioned by Lieutenant General Richard Pierson who commanded the troops taking part in the mock attack. He presented them both the George III as a gift. It was exhibited at the Royal Academy Exhibition of 1780 at Somerset House and was later hung by the king at Kew Palace. Today the painting remains in the Royal Collection.^[4]

• Conway, Stephen. The British Army, 1714–1783: An Institutional History. Pen and Sword Military, 2021.
• Franklin, Carl. British Army Uniforms of the American Revolution 1751-1783. Casemate Publishers, 2012.
• Roberts, Jane. George III and Queen Charlotte: Patronage, Collecting and Court Taste. Royal Collection, 2004.