By the beginning of the 18th century, there was a dynastic crisis in Great Britain, and in order to avoid it, and at the same time stop the claims of Catholic pretenders to the throne, the corresponding “Act of Succession to the Throne” was adopted, on the basis of which the granddaughter of James I became the legitimate heir to the crown - Sophia, wife of the Elector of Hanover. The transfer of the English crown to the Germans was the decision of Queen Anne herself, the last of the Stuart dynasty. However, the heiress Sophia died two months before Anna's death, and her 54-year-old son Georg Ludwig came to the throne, initiating the reign of the Hanoverian dynasty. The change of dynasty in 1714 was one of the most significant events in England, which influenced the domestic and foreign policy of the state.
King George I (1660-1727)
George Ludwig of Hanover arrived in England in the early autumn of 1714 and was crowned in Westminster Abbey, after which he faced a revolt of Jacobites - supporters of the Catholic Jacob, brother of Anne Stuart. The rebels captured the cities of Perth and Preston, but after the battle of Sheriffmoor, which did not give the expectedvictories, lost their morale, and the rebellion began to wane.
The newly-minted monarch did not show any interest in politics, signing important government papers without any familiarization. The only moment where he managed to somehow have a hand was to reduce the size of the Privy Council (established in 1701) to thirty members, from which the Cabinet of Ministers and the Inner Cabinet were formed. These people, in principle, will be behind all the decisions that determined the further development of the UK.
King George I never managed to fall in love with the state over which he was placed, and the British responded to him in return. He invariably preferred Hanover to London, where he indulged in careless revelry and pleasure, away from all the anxieties and excitements that abounded in England. George remained devoted to his land to the last. A heart attack ended his life on the night of June 11, 1727, while on his way to Hanover.
Reign of George II (1683 - 1760)
The monarch, who ascended the throne in 1727, was no different from his father in terms of senseless living, devoting himself more and more to the Electorate of Hanover, and not to the English kingdom. However, despite the similarities, he also had a clear advantage over his parent in the person of his wife Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach, who devotedly loved him, a very smart and determined woman. Also, for all his shortcomings, the king of Great Britain was not devoid of positive qualities: he paid a lot of attention to the armed forces of the country and military duties, personallytaking part in some battles, where he distinguished himself by outstanding courage and bravery.
In politics, George did not shine with skill, but still was a prominent figure in domestic and international affairs. During his reign, the country's economy was significantly strengthened, the rapidly developing industry led to dominance in world markets. There was also a major expansion of the colonies in America and India. Nevertheless, the unwillingness of the king to participate in political matters led to an increase in the influence of ministers, while the royal power was losing power. George II died of a stroke at the age of 78, and his 22-year-old grandson took over the throne.
George III (1738 - 1820)
Assuming the throne in 1760, George III was a complex and controversial figure. In adolescence, having lost his father Frederick (the eldest son of George II), who died on the tennis court as a result of an injury, the future monarch was brought up under the strict tutelage of his grandfather. Having come to power, he showed himself to be a "real king", directing his efforts to weaken the position of the leading Whig party (the party of the commercial and industrial bourgeoisie), so as not to be a toy in the hands of parliament and not repeat the fate of his grandfather.
The style of government of this monarch was distinguished by inflexibility and aggression, all those who disagreed were resigned without hesitation. His tough policy led to a war with the North American colonies, where, as a result, the British troops were defeated. At the same time, he was one of the most pious kings of the Hanoverian dynasty, and called on his subjectsfollow the ways of the Lord and remain good Christians. George surrounded himself only with devoted people - "friends of the king", sparing no titles, land allotments and material maintenance for them.
From 1788, the ruler of England began to experience bouts of mental disorder, which over time became more and more frequent, until in 1810 he finally lost his mind. His eldest son, the heir, the Prince of Wales, who proved himself to be a man of not the most noble morals, was appointed regent.
George III died at the end of January 1820, being in complete isolation from society. The most important outcome of his reign was the merging of Ireland and Great Britain into the United Kingdom (January 1801), which became informally known as the British Empire.
The wild life of George IV (1762 - 1830)
Having ascended the throne in 1820, King George IV of Great Britain began his reign with the persecution of his lawful wife, Caroline of Brunswick, with whom he had been in violent public quarrels for a long time. The harsh parental upbringing he received, often accompanied by numerous punishments and restrictions, molded him into a man of unrestrained temperament with developed immoral inclinations. The people disliked the Hanoverian for his constant drunkenness and endless revelry, which trampled on royal dignity so much. He became the object of constant ridicule from the press and therefore all of England.
The pleasure life of the monarch proceeded against the backdrop of significant events in Europe, which he did notdidn't want to be interested. During his reign, England expanded its borders, in particular, expansion began in Central Asia, and after the Napoleonic Wars, the country had great authority in Europe itself, becoming one of the leading powers.
Physically ruined by his idle and dissolute life, King George IV died in 1830. His brother William, the third son of George III, ascended the throne of England at the age of 65.
Wilhelm IV (1765-1837)
Compared to his extravagant brother Georg Wilhelm looked much simpler and more unpretentious. His coronation cost the treasury just £30,000. His years of service in the navy had made him a direct man, an opponent of all conventions, so that the court order established under the rule of previous kings was quickly lost.
Wilhelm ascended the throne in a very troubled time. The need to reform the electoral system, which had not changed for several centuries, was growing in the state. The king was forced to take the side of the Whigs and agree to the overdue changes. Passions also raged hotly over whether Ireland's Catholic believers should be given free rein or not. On the basis of disagreements between the crowned bearer and the cabinet of ministers, a number of government crises are born. As a result, another cabinet was formed by the king, in opposition to parliament, but both sides managed to reach an agreement.
Wilhelm IV did not leave behind such a significant mark in the history of the country. However, he was quite diligent.a family man, without discrediting himself with special vices, and in this sense became a "springboard" to the reign of his legendary niece, Queen Victoria, daughter of Edward Augustus (the fourth son of George III).
Queen Victoria (1819 - 1901)
The accession of young Victoria to the throne in 1837 was an important event in the UK. The country joyfully welcomed the newly-made ruler: after a string of eccentric kings of the Hanoverian dynasty, the chaste girl carried hope for a change for the better. The short and fragile monarch had a genuine royal grandeur. She quickly became the favorite of all the people, especially the middle strata of society. Victoria justified the aspirations of her subjects: she managed to rehabilitate the dubious reputation of the monarchy and construct a different model of relations between society and the royal family.
The reign of the last English monarch of the Hanoverian dynasty is often represented as a golden period in the annals of England. The commercial industry experienced an unprecedented boom, industrial production progressed, cities rose everywhere, and the boundaries of the British Empire stretched all over the world. Queen Victoria has become a true symbol of the nation.
The indomitable ruler of Great Britain died in the 64th year of her reign at the age of 82, working until her last days and putting her royal will into practice.
The role of the dynasty in the history of England
Hanoverian kings sat on the throne of Great Britain until1901. Under them, the British participated in several major military conflicts, where for the most part the opponent was France. The loss of colonial dominance in North America (1783) was compensated by the expansion of English territories in India and the appropriation of Dutch possessions in South Africa, as well as the earlier annexation of Acadia, Canada and eastern Louisiana by the Treaty of Paris in 1763.
The years of the Hanoverian dynasty were marked by a special strengthening of parliamentarism, the formation of democratic movements and a significant limitation of royal power. Also, this period went down in history thanks to the industrial revolution and the beginning of the rapid development of capitalist relations.
Interesting facts
The following historical facts are associated with the rule of the Hanover dynasty:
- For a long time, King George I was considered a stupid and uneducated person, despite the fact that he was fluent in Latin and French, and also understood Dutch and Italian. Such an erroneous opinion was formed due to the fact that the monarch did not like the country that he was forced to rule after the death of Anne Stewart.
- George II was a lover of opera singing and music. Georg Friedrich Handel was under his special patronage.
- King George III earned the nickname "George the Farmer" for his excessive passion for gardening and horticulture.
- As a person with good taste, the ruler George IV was noted: he preferred not to follow fashion, but himselfshape it. He was inspired to design new styles of clothing and build extravagant buildings.
- Queen Victoria, thanks to the large number of offspring, received the title of "grandmother of Europe". Among her descendants are the Windsors (Great Britain), the Hohenzollerns (Germany), the Bourbons (Spain) and the Romanovs (Russia).
