In 1809, Gwyllym Lloyd Wardle (?1762-1833), MP, supported by Francis Burdett (1770–1844), proposed a
motion respecting certain abuses that had obtained in the disposal of commissions in the British army by
the commander in chief, arising from the influence of Mrs Mary Anne Clarke (1776?–1852) over Prince Frederick,
duke of York and Albany (1763–1827). The affair became a cause célèbre and resulted in the resignation of the duke of York
as commander-in-chief.
Wardle's reputation was ruined when he was successfully charged with having purchased Mrs Clarke's testimony.
Godwin notes Wardle's motion in the entry of 27 January 1809. It is possible that the entry for 18 September of that year
('theatre, L Goldsmith , Wardle
& Surr') also relates to this man. What we know of him was that he focused his time on his estates in Wales, his marriage
and his serving in the army during the 1790s.
