A lock of hair from the horse ridden by the Duke of Wellington during the battle of Waterloo is to be being auctioned off after lying undiscovered for more than a century.
The fragment of Copenhagen’s mane was found in family papers during a clear-out at a stately home in Devon and is expected to fetch up to £5,000.
Lady Arran, who came across the lock of hair at Castle Hill in Filleigh, north Devon, said: “It is an extraordinary find. We have been doing a lot of clearing out. I found this tucked away in a whole lot of family papers.
“Finding it was a complete surprise. It was particularly extraordinary as this year is the commemoration of the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo.”
Copenhagen was the duke’s mount during the battle in 1815, safely carrying him for 17 hours. The hair comes with note of provenance handwritten in 1836 by Lord Fortescue of Castle Hill.
Arran added: “Copenhagen’s colour was liver chestnut and, apart from the odd white hair, the colour of this piece of his mane is as vibrant as it was 200 years ago.”
The lock of hair will feature in a sale of antiquarian books, maps and prints by Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood in Exeter on Wednesday.
Auctioneer Richard Bearne said he expected considerable interest. “It is something that has passed down the family through many generations and, with the 200th anniversary of the battle of Waterloo this year, it is a wonderful opportunity to own something so directly related to such a historic event.”
