Cornelius Collett and the Suffolk Yeomanry, 1794-1820: Defending Suffolk against the French

With invasion by the French revolutionary armies thought to be imminent, in 1794 a county-wide subscription was raised to support groups of Suffolk gentry, farmers, tradesmen and professionals to provide a defence for Suffolk. They formed themselves into a volunteer and part-time cavalry - the Loyal Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry. Cornelius Collett, a banker in Woodbridge, joined his local Troop at its inception and remained a member for the next twenty six years. During this period, he collected and transcribed - in three large, leather-bound books - a range of unique and wide-ranging documents. These included, as well as details of musters and reviews, letters from the Lord Lieutenant, orders from central government, and plans for evacuation that would be put into place should the French arrive on Suffolk's shores. In addition to the external threat, Collett also gives details of the Yeomanry's secondary role of aiding the civil authorities in case of social unrest at home - something that became more important as a result of economic hardship after the conclusion of the French Wars. With relevance to the whole of Suffolk, these volumes almost certainly represent the most comprehensive collection of documents of its kind. The volumes are presented here with an introduction and notes, providing new insights into the role and functioning of the Suffolk Yeomanry between 1794 and 1820 and the nature of its patriotic duty. Dr MARGARET THOMAS has worked for the University of Suffolk, and the Continuing Education departments at the University of Bristol and the University of East Anglia.