William Hiseland facts for kids

Quick facts for kids William Hiseland
Portrait of Haseland, from the museum of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea
Born	6 August 1620 (claimed) England
Died	7 February 1732 (aged 111 years, 37 days) England
Resting place	Royal Hospital, Chelsea, London, England
Occupation	Soldier
Known for	Last survivor of the English Civil Wars

William Hiseland (born August 6, 1620, died February 7, 1732) was an English soldier. He was known for living a very long life. People believed he was the oldest soldier at the Battle of Malplaquet in 1709. At that time, he was supposedly 89 years old. He also claimed to be the last person alive who fought in the English Civil Wars (1642-1651).

Hiseland reached the rank of sergeant. When he was very old, he became a Chelsea pensioner. This meant he lived at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, a home for old soldiers. He had to leave for a while when he got married at the claimed age of 103. He is buried at the Royal Hospital in Chelsea.

William Hiseland's Early Life and Battles

William Hiseland was born in Wiltshire, England. He started his life as a soldier when he was only thirteen years old. He fought in the English Civil Wars. Records show a William Hasland was baptized in Bishops Cannings, Wiltshire, in 1628. This might be the same person.

Hiseland supported King Charles I during the Civil War. He fought for the King at the Battle of Edgehill on October 23, 1642. This was one of the first big battles of the war. Besides the Civil War, he also fought in the Williamite War in Ireland and the War of the Spanish Succession. He was the last known survivor of the Battle of Edgehill. He retired from the army as a sergeant.

Fighting in the War of the Spanish Succession

In June 1709, during the War of the Spanish Succession, Hiseland joined the Duke of Marlborough's army in Flanders. He fought with the Royal Scots regiment at the Battle of Malplaquet on September 11, 1709. This battle was very important. His regiment was proud to have both the oldest and youngest soldiers there. A soldier named Private McBain carried his three-week-old son in a bag during the battle.

Life as a Chelsea Pensioner

After his many years of service, William Hiseland received a pension. Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond gave him one crown a week. Sir Robert Walpole also matched this amount. Because he had served the country for a claimed eighty years, Hiseland was given a place at the Royal Hospital, Chelsea. This hospital is a special home for retired soldiers.

He was said to be 100 years old while living at the Royal Hospital. However, three years later, he got married and had to leave. He became an "out-pensioner," meaning he received money but did not live at the hospital. After his wife passed away, he returned to the Royal Hospital. He died there at the claimed age of 111.

In 1730, an artist named George Alsop painted a portrait of Hiseland. This painting is still kept at the Royal Hospital's museum.

Hiseland's Tombstone and Legacy

William Hiseland is buried in the burial ground of the Royal Hospital. His tombstone has a special message carved into it. It talks about his long life and service.

The inscription says he was a true veteran. It mentions his many years of service in both civil and foreign wars. It also says he was healthy and strong, even in old age. The stone notes that he was tall and very strong. A remarkable part of the inscription says that when he was over 100 years old, he got married!

The tombstone says he was born on August 6, 1620, and died on February 7, 1732, at the age of 112. It's important to know that in those days, the new year started on March 25. So, "1732" on his tombstone actually means what we call 1733 today.

See also

• Jean Thurel: A French soldier who also lived to be over 100 years old.
• Johann Georg Sauer: A soldier from the Dutch army who lived to be a centenarian.
• List of last surviving veterans of military insurgencies and wars

Images for kids

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  The Royal Hospital, Chelsea, where William Hiseland lived.