Galfridus Walpole

Galfridus Walpole (1683 – 7 August 1726) was a officer in the Royal Navy, a member of the Parliament of Great Britain, and served as postmaster general of the Kingdom of Great Britain.

**Early Life**

Galfridus Walpole was born in 1683. His family was associated with Houghton, Norfolk. He was the son of Robert Walpole and Mary Burwell. He had an older brother, Sir Robert Walpole, who was a prominent politician. In 1709, Galfridus Walpole married Cornelia Hays; they did not have children.

**Naval Career**

Walpole’s naval service began in 1706 when he commanded HMS Solebay, a sixth-rate 24-gun frigate. He subsequently commanded HMS Feversham, and from 1707 to 1709, he led HMS Poole, a fifth-rate frigate. Between 1710 and 1714, he was in charge of HMS Lion, a 60-gun fourth-rate ship of the line.

During his command of HMS Lion, on 22 March 1711 (some sources cite 26 March 1711), he was involved in a naval engagement in Vado Bay, Italy, against four French ships. His vessel was engaged with the enemy for approximately two hours, during which about forty men were lost. Walpole was badly injured in the battle; his right arm was amputated by the ship's surgeon, John Atkins. According to reports, Walpole did not express gratitude to the surgeon for his efforts.

His final naval command was on HMS Peregrine Galley from 1716 to 1720. This vessel later became a royal yacht.

**Political Career**

Walpole was elected as a Member of Parliament for Lostwithiel, Cornwall, in the 1715 general election, returning unopposed. In the same year, he was appointed to a sinecure position as Treasurer of Greenwich Hospital in London.

On 8 April 1721, Walpole was appointed joint postmaster general, an office that required him to vacate his seat in Parliament and step down from his role at Greenwich Hospital. He held the office of Postmaster General until his death.

In 1725, he leased Westcombe Park, a country estate previously owned by Sir Gregory Page, 2nd Baronet.

**Death and Burial**

Galfridus Walpole died without issue on 7 August 1726. He was buried at the Church of St Martin, on the estate of his brother Houghton Hall.

**Legends and Relics**

A sword reputedly used by Walpole aboard HMS Lion is associated with a legend involving Horatio Nelson. According to this story, the sword was given to Nelson, who later lost his right arm in the Battle of Santa Cruz on 15 July 1797. The sword, known as the Galfridus Walpole — Suckling Sword, features a silver-hilted hanger made by Nixon Cutlers of London, hallmarked in 1752, with a 60-centimeter curved blade. It was historically given to Nelson by William Suckling, the brother of Maurice Suckling, Walpole’s godson and great nephew. The sword was sold at auction in 2003 for £36,000.

The provenance of the sword and the legend of Nelson’s use of it have been subjects of debate. Critics have questioned the likelihood that Nelson used such an aged weapon in battle and its connection to Walpole’s service.

**Family and Estate**

Walpole was the younger brother of Sir Robert Walpole, a notable British politician. In 1725, he took a lease on Westcombe Park, a property of Sir Gregory Page, 2nd Baronet.

**References and External Links**

Additional information about Walpole’s life, naval service, and family history is available in sources such as Collin's Peerage and the published biographies ofnaval officers.