George II of Great Britain

George II (George Augustus) (10 November 1683–25 October 1760) was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover) and Archtreasurer and Prince-Elector of the Holy Roman Empire from 11 June 1727 until his death. He was the second British monarch of the House of Hanover, and the last British monarch to personally lead his troops into battle.

Early life

The Prince George Augustus was born at Schloss Herrenhausen, Hanover. He was the son of the then-George Louis, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg and his wife, Sophia of Celle; his mother's adultery led to a divorce in 1694. When his father succeeded to the Duchy of Brunswick-Lüneburg in 1698, the Prince George became Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg. He married the Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach in 1705.

Related Topics:
Hanover - George Louis, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg - Sophia of Celle - 1694 - 1698 - Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach - 1705

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The Act of Settlement 1701 devised the British Crown to the Hereditary Prince's grandmother Sophia of Hanover if the then-ruling monarch, William III, and his sister-in-law, the Princess Anne of Denmark, both died without issue. Under the Act of Settlement, the Hereditary Prince became a naturalised English subject in 1705. Anne, who had succeeded to the English Throne in 1702, admitted the Hereditary Prince to the Order of the Garter in 1706. She created him Duke of Cambridge, Marquess of Cambridge, Earl of Milford Haven, Viscount Northallerton and Baron Tewkesbury later in the same year.

Related Topics:
Act of Settlement 1701 - Sophia of Hanover - William III - Princess Anne of Denmark - 1705 - 1702 - Order of the Garter - 1706 - Duke of Cambridge - Marquess of Cambridge

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On August 1, 1714, Anne died, shortly after the Electress Sophia (d. June 8, 1714). Consequently, Sophia's son George inherited the Throne. George I's son, the Prince George, automatically became Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay and Earl of Carrick. His father created him Prince of Wales and Earl of Chester on 27 September, 1714.

Related Topics:
August 1 - 1714 - June 8 - Duke of Cornwall - Duke of Rothesay - Earl of Carrick - Prince of Wales - Earl of Chester - 27 September

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The Prince of Wales had an extremely poor relationship with his father. When the Princess of Wales gave birth to Prince George William in 1717, a family quarrel ensued; at the baptism, the Prince of Wales insisted on one godfather, whilst the King chose another. When he publicly vituperated his father, the Prince of Wales was temporarily put under arrest. Afterwards, the King banished his son from the St. James's Palace, the King's residence, and excluded him from all public ceremonies.

Related Topics:
1717 - Baptism - Godfather - Arrest - St. James's Palace

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The Prince of Wales did all in his power to encourage opposition to George I's policies. His London residence, Leicester House, became a meeting place for George I's opponents, including Sir Robert Walpole and Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend. In 1720, Walpole encouraged George I and his son to reconcile. In the same year, Walpole made a return to political office, from which he had been excluded since 1717.

Related Topics:
London - Leicester House - Robert Walpole - Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend - 1720 - 1717

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In 1721, the economic disaster of the South Sea Bubble allowed Sir Robert Walpole to rise to the pinnacle of government. Walpole and his Whig Party were dominant in politics, for George I feared that the Tories did not support the succession laid down in the Act of Settlement. The power of the Whigs was so great that the Tories would not come to hold power for another half-century. Sir Robert Walpole essentially controlled British government, but, by joining the King's side, lost the favour of the Prince of Wales.

Related Topics:
1721 - South Sea Bubble - Whig - Tories

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