A LARGE GEORGE III SILVER TWO-HANDLED TRAY, JOHN CROUCH, LONDON, 1808

The arms are those of the Rev. William Nelson, 1^st Earl Nelson (1757-1835), who succeeded by special remainder to the baronies (Nelson of the Nile and of Hilborough, co. Norfolk, created in 1801) of his younger brother, Admiral Horatio, 1^st Viscount Nelson, who was killed at the Battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. A month later William was created Earl Nelson and Viscount Merton in honour of his late brother's achievements. Dying without surviving male issue, Earl Nelson's British titles passed to Thomas Boulton, his nephew by his sister Susannah, while his Italian title passed to his daughter Charlotte, Lady Bridport.