04 June 2020
The Dating Game
Hanoverians.
By Chin Chin
It’s now that the Dating Game really makes a difference. The Hanoverian period is all around us. A piece of early Chippendale furniture: that will be George II, around 1750. Regency Bath: that must be late George III. Walk through the stately homes: full of Georgian furniture. Look around the Commonwealth: the remains of an empire driven by the victories of the Seven Years War. Opportunities to impress your friends: legion. But remember, to give it all perspective you need to learn the dates of each king and the date of one event (to be chosen by you and which may or may not be one of the events we suggest) from each reign.
George I, 1714 – 1727
Not the first in line but the first protestant in line, which is what the Act of Settlement required, George was already Elector of Hanover before he succeeded Anne to the British throne. Disliked for being German, he was a practical, modest and sensible king who, by the end of his reign, almost certainly did speak English. What about:
The 1715 rebellion? Support by “the Old Pretender” James Francis (the son of James II) for this attempt (headed by Lord Mar) to put him on the throne was too little and too late. George took a fairly lenient line with the rebels, using the proceeds of forfeited estates for education in Scotland and reducing the national debt
The South Sea Bubble 1720? In an 18th-century version of the 2008 crash, the South Sea company raised enormous sums from the public for its grandiose schemes, including the acquisition of the national debt. When it crashed, with many other speculative ventures, a lot of people were ruined. Perhaps the most important consequence was that Robert Walpole, a Whig politician from the county gentry, became the then equivalent of Prime Minister, a position which he filled for over 20 years, sorting out the financial mess and gradually supplanting the monarchy in the control of government.
George II, 1727-1760
“Come cheer up my lads, tis to glory we steer,
to add something more to this wonderful year”
So runs the song Heart of Oak and the year was 1759, the year of the capture of Québec, of the naval victory at Quiberon Bay and of other victories too. All part of the Seven Year’s war with Louis XV’s France in which the two superpowers struggled for domination. It was Britain which came out on top, largely due to the strategy of Whig Prime Minister William Pitt (“Pitt the Elder”, or “Chatham”), who had a genius for appointing young and talented commanders. Meanwhile, at home, a second Scottish rising was defeated ending the claims of the House of Stuart. What about:
The ’45 rebellion, 1745? Led by Bonnie Prince Charlie (“the Young Pretender”) the rebels got as far as Derby before running out of steam, their returning forces being butchered by the Duke of Cumberland at Culloden. The battle ended the claims of the House of Stuart, leaving Bonnie Prince Charlie with a lonely boat trip “over the seas to Skye”, and to exile.
The publication of “The Gentleman & Cabinet–Maker’s Director” by Thomas Chippendale in 1754, with the latest designs for English furniture? The use of mahogany, originally bought in as ballast in slave ships and much stronger than English woods, allowed far more delicate carving and design. The expression ‘Chippendale furniture’ is used for furniture in his style made in the 18th century and is not restricted to furniture made in his workshops. Impress your friends if you spot a nice bit of Chippendale but, be careful, the style has been much copied since.
The Battle of Plassey, 1757? Robert Clive’s stunning and unexpected victory over the French and the Nawab of Bengal put the East India company in pole position to extend its control of India.
Capture of Québec 1759? The victory broke French power in North America. It also led indirectly to the American War of Independence since the colonists now had much less need for British troops and objected to paying for them..
George III, 1760-1820
If you thought George II had an exciting reign, just wait for this one. On the throne for 60 years, George saw the American Revolution, the French Revolution, the Napoleonic wars, the Regency (in the later part of his reign the King went mad and had to be represented by his son as Regent), huge population growth, the Enlightenment, large housing developments, the premiership of Pitt the Younger and, of course, the Industrial Revolution, which was already under way. What about:
The American War of Independence, 1775? The struggle went on to 1781 when the battle of Yorktown resulted in British rule in North America being restricted to Canada. The successful colonists were inspired by the revolutionary ideas of French intellectuals, ideas which were then taken back to France where they helped fuel the revolution there.
The French Revolution, 1789? Not our show, of course, although there was much nervousness that it would result in a similar revolution here. Still, an important event in world terms and necessary for the rise of Napoleon. A date worth learning.
Trafalgar, 1805? Nelson’s victory over the French and Spanish fleets destroyed French sea power and removed the threat of invasion.
Act for the Abolition of the Slave Trade, 1807? This prohibited the slave trade in British possessions.
Waterloo, 1815? The final defeat of Napoleon by the Duke of Wellington.
George IV, 1820-1830
A talented, intelligent, artistic man but threw it all away, becoming obese from over-indulgence and a profligate womaniser. By the end he was hugely disliked and the subject of popular ridicule and contempt. What about:
Catholic Relief Act 1829? Forced through against Royal opposition by the then Prime Minister, the Duke of Wellington, the act permitted Catholics to become members of Parliament.
William IV, 1830-1837
The younger brother of George IV, William was a modest and informal man who did much to resurrect the popularity of the monarchy. It was an age of reform. What about:
The Great Reform Act 1832? Forced through by public pressure and discontent so great that the Duke of Wellington put iron shutters over his windows (hence the nickname “the Iron Duke”), and opposition in the Lords only being defeated by the threat to swamp it with new peers, the Act reorganised parliamentary constituencies by abolishing the smallest ones and giving seats to the towns. It also extended the electorate: in the counties to include tenants with 60 year leases where the land was worth £10, tenants with 20 year leases of land worth £50 and tenants at will paying £50 a year; in the towns to men whose houses would command a rent of £10 a year.
The Slavery Abolition Act, 1833? By abolishing slavery in British possessions it brought the position into line with that in the UK. A fund of £20 million was made available to compensate the slave owners.
Dismissal of the Whigs, 1834? This was the last time that a sovereign overrode the will of Parliament in choosing a ministry. It didn’t go well and Melbourne the Whig leader was subsequently appointed following an election. A milestone in the move towards parliamentary democracy.
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