Dressing gown
Category
Costume
Date
1740 - 1759
Materials
Cotton
Measurements
1354 mm (Height)
Order this imageCollection
Quebec House, Kent
NT 529189
Caption
On 13 September 1759 General James Wolfe (1727–59) was fatally wounded in battle on the Plains of Abraham in Quebec, Canada, having led the British forces to victory over France. It was a decisive moment in the Seven Years’ War (1756–63), leading to the end of French control of the colony and paving the way for British territorial expansion. Wolfe was posthumously lauded as a national hero and became a symbol of self-sacrifice for king and country. Tradition tells that this cotton banyan wrapped Wolfe’s body on HMS Royal William as it was sailed back to Britain for burial. Banyans or Indian nightgowns became fashionable from the late 17th century in Europe, their design inspired by clothing in East and South Asia. Often worn informally, they created a comfortable, loose-fitting layer over a shirt and breeches. General Wolfe’s banyan was recycled from a bed cover of corded quilting, decorated with flower sprays and overlapping shells. It has a matching powder cloth (NT 529190) used to protect clothing when hair was dressed.
Summary
A cotton quilted banyan made from a bed cover, traditionally associated with General James Wolfe (1727–59). Following Wolfe's death on 13 September 1759, it is believed that his body was wrapped in this garment and brought back to England.
Provenance
Formerly part of the Wolfe-Aylward Collection. Item was bequeathed by Mrs. Wolfe (General James Wolfe's mother) to her nephew William Burcher, the son of Anne Burcher (nee Wolfe), she being the eldest member of the family with the exception of her brother Walter (Wolfe's uncle), who died unmarried. This William Burcher had two sons, William and Edward Wolfe Burcher. The first named died without issue, the latter was the great grandfather of Mr Wolfe-Aylward, to whom the items were handed down to.
References
Antrobus and Slocombe 2025: Helen Antrobus and Emma Slocombe, 100 Things to Wear: Fashion from the collections of the National Trust, National Trust 2025, pp. 60-61.