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  • 1727-1760: King of Great Britain
  • 1727-1760: King of Ireland
  • 1727-1760: Elector of Hanover
  • George II Augustus Hanover

George II Augustus Hanover, King of Great Britain, was born 30 October 1683 in Herrenhausen Gardens, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany to George I of Great Britain (1660-1727) and Sophie Dorothea von Braunschweig-Lüneburg (1666-1726) and died 25 October 1760 Kensington Palace, London, England, United Kingdom of aortic dissection. He married Wilhelmine Karoline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1683-1737) 22 August 1705 in Herrenhausen Gardens, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany.

Biography

1754 Map of Seven Years War

King George II of Great Britain was born on November 10, 1683, in Hanover, Germany. He was the son of the Elector of Hanover and his wife Sophia of the Palatinate. In 1705, he married Caroline of Ansbach, and they had nine children together. He ascended to the British throne in 1727 after the death of his father, King George I.

During his reign, King George II faced numerous challenges, both domestically and abroad. One of his biggest challenges was the ongoing conflict between Britain and France, which led to several major wars, including the War of the Austrian Succession and the Seven Years' War.

Despite these challenges, King George II oversaw several important developments in Britain, including the establishment of the Royal Society, the construction of several important public buildings, and the expansion of the British Empire.

King George II was also a patron of the arts, and during his reign, the theater and music flourished in Britain. He was a keen supporter of Handel, and his patronage helped to establish the composer's reputation in England.

King George II died on October 25, 1760, while on a visit to his native Hanover. He was succeeded by his grandson, King George III.

Early life

Sophia Dorothea and her two children

George as a young boy with his mother, Sophia Dorothea of Celle, and his sister, Sophia Dorothea of Hanover

George was born in the city of Hanover in Germany, followed by his sister, Sophia Dorothea, three years later. Their parents, George Louis, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg (later King George I of Great Britain), and Sophia Dorothea of Celle, both committed adultery. In 1694 the marriage was dissolved on the pretext that Sophia Dorothea had abandoned her husband.[1] She was confined to Ahlden House and denied access to her two children, who probably never saw their mother again.[2]

Marriage

Caroline Wilhelmina of Brandenburg-Ansbach by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt

Caroline of Ansbach by Godfrey Kneller, 1716

George's father did not want his son to enter into a loveless arranged marriage as he had and wanted him to have the opportunity of meeting his bride before any formal arrangements were made.[3] Negotiations from 1702 for the hand of Princess Hedvig Sophia of Sweden, Dowager Duchess and regent of Holstein-Gottorp, came to nothing.[4] In June 1705, under the false name "Monsieur de Busch", George visited the Ansbach court at its summer residence in Triesdorf to investigate incognito a marriage prospect: Caroline of Ansbach, the former ward of his aunt Queen Sophia Charlotte of Prussia. The English envoy to Hanover, Edmund Poley, reported that George was so taken by "the good character he had of her that he would not think of anybody else".[5] A marriage contract was concluded by the end of July.[6] On 22 August / 2 September 1705[lower-alpha 1] Caroline arrived in Hanover for her wedding, which was held the same evening in the chapel at Herrenhausen.[3]

George was keen to participate in the war against France in Flanders, but his father refused to let him join the army in an active role until he had a son and heir.[7] In early 1707 George's hopes were fulfilled when Caroline gave birth to a son, Frederick.[8] In July Caroline fell seriously ill with smallpox, and George caught the infection after staying by her side devotedly during her illness.[9] They both recovered. In 1708 George participated in the Battle of Oudenarde in the vanguard of the Hanoverian cavalry; his horse and a colonel immediately beside him were killed, but George survived unharmed.[10] The British commander, Marlborough, wrote that George "distinguished himself extremely, charging at the head of and animating by his example [the Hanoverian] troops, who played a good part in this happy victory".[11] Between 1709 and 1713 George and Caroline had three more children, all girls: Anne, Amelia, and Caroline.[12]

By 1714 Queen Anne's health had declined, and British Whigs, who supported the Hanoverian succession, thought it prudent for one of the Hanoverians to live in England to safeguard the Protestant succession on Anne's death. As George was a peer of the realm (as Duke of Cambridge), it was suggested that he be summoned to Parliament to sit in the House of Lords. Both Anne and George's father refused to support the plan, although George, Caroline, and Sophia were all in favour.[13] George did not go. Within the year both Sophia and Anne were dead, and George's father was king.[14]

Issue

Medal of George II and his Family MET DP-180-155

John Croker's medal of 1732 showing the surviving children of George II and Caroline: Frederick, William, Anne, Amelia, Caroline, Mary, and Louisa

Caroline's ten[15] or eleven[16] pregnancies resulted in eight live births. One of their children died in infancy, and seven lived to adulthood.

  1. Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales (1707-1751) - married 1736, Princess Augusta of Saxe-Gotha; had issue, including the future George III of the United Kingdom (1738-1820) who would succeed his grandfather as King of Great Britain.
  2. Anne of England (1709-1759) - married 1734, William IV, Prince of Orange; had issue
  3. Amelia of Great Britain (1711-1786) - never married, no issue
  4. Caroline of Great Britain (1713-1757) - never married, no issue
  5. George William of Great Britain (1717-1718) = died young
  6. William, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765) - never married, no issue
  7. Mary of Great Britain (1723-1772) - married 1740, Frederick II, Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel; had issue
  8. Louisa of Great Britain (1724-1751) - married 1743, Frederick V, King of Denmark and Norway; had issue


Children


Offspring of George II of Great Britain and Wilhelmine Karoline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1683-1737)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Frederick Lewis, Prince of Wales (1707-1751) 20 January 1707 20 March 1751 Anne Vane (1710-1736)
Augusta von Sachsen-Gotha-Altenburg (1719-1772)
Anne of England (1709-1759) 2 November 1709 Herrenhausen, Hanover, Germany 12 January 1759 The Hague, Netherlands Willem IV van Oranje-Nassau (1711-1751)
Amelia of Great Britain (1711-1786) 10 June 1711 Herrenhausen Palace, Hanover, Germany 31 October 1786 Cavendish Square, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Caroline of Great Britain (1713-1757) 10 June 1713 Herrenhausen Palace, Hanover, Germany 28 December 1757 St. James Palace, Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
George William of Great Britain (1717-1718) 13 November 1717 St. James Palace, Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 17 February 1718 Kensington Palace, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
William, Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765) 15 April 1721 Westminster, Greater London, England, United Kingdom 31 October 1765 London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom
Mary of Great Britain (1723-1772) 22 February 1723 Leicester House, Westminster, London, England, United Kingdom 14 January 1772 Hanau, Hesse, Germany Friedrich II. von Hessen-Kassel (1720-1785)
Louisa of Great Britain (1724-1751) 7 December 1724 Leicester House, Westminster, England, United Kingdom 19 December 1751 Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, Denmark Frederik V of Denmark (1723-1766)


Offspring of George II of Great Britain and Amalie Sophie Marianne von Wendt (1704-1765)¢
Name Birth Death Joined with
Johann Ludwig, Reichsgraf von Wallmoden-Gimborn (1736-1811) 22 April 1736 Hanover, Germany 10 October 1811 Hanover, Germany Charlotte Christiane Auguste Wilhelmine von Wangenheim (1740-1783)
Luise Christiane Baronin von Liechtenstein (1763-1809)



Siblings


Offspring of George I of Great Britain (1660-1727) and Sophie Dorothea von Braunschweig-Lüneburg (1666-1726)
Name Birth Death Joined with
George II of Great Britain (1683-1760) 30 October 1683 Herrenhausen Gardens, Hanover, Lower Saxony, Germany 25 October 1760 Kensington Palace, London, England, United Kingdom Wilhelmine Karoline of Brandenburg-Ansbach (1683-1737)
Amalie Sophie Marianne von Wendt (1704-1765)
Sophie Dorothea von Hannover (1687-1757) 1687 1757 Monbijou, Germany Friedrich Wilhelm I. in Preußen (1688-1740)


Offspring of George I of Great Britain (1660-1727) and Ermengarde Melusina von der Schulenberg (1667-1743)
Name Birth Death Joined with
Anna Luise Sophie von der Schulenburg, Countess of Dölitz (1692-1773)
Melusina von der Schulenburg, Countess of Walsingham (1693-1778)
Margarete Gertrud von Oeynhausen (1701-1726) 1701 1726 Albrecht Wolfgang von Schaumburg-Lippe (1699-1748)
Europe 1748-1766 en

Europe in the years after the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle in 1748

See Also

Bibliography


External Links

Ancestry Trees

Contemporary References

Some of the best contemporary references for George Augustus II of Hanover, include:

  1. The Letters of Horace Walpole: Horace Walpole was a prominent writer and politician who corresponded frequently with King George II and other members of the royal family. His letters provide a detailed and often candid look at the politics, culture, and personalities of the period.
  2. The Memoirs of John, Duke of Marlborough: John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough, was a close advisor to King George II and served as a commander in several of the major wars of the period. His memoirs provide a valuable perspective on the military campaigns and political intrigue of the time.
  3. The Parliamentary Debates: The debates in the British Parliament during King George II's reign offer a wealth of information about the political and social issues of the period. They provide a window into the debates over issues such as taxation, foreign policy, and the role of the monarchy in government.
  4. The London Gazette: The official newspaper of the British government, the London Gazette, contains a wealth of information about the events of King George II's reign, including announcements of major events and decisions, official proclamations, and notices of appointments and promotions.
  5. The Gentleman's Magazine: This monthly magazine, which was first published in 1731, provides a fascinating glimpse into the cultural and social life of the period. It features articles on a wide range of topics, including literature, fashion, politics, and the arts.

Original Citations

Thomas Hearne

An eyewitness account of the coronation of King George II, as described by Thomas Hearne, an Oxford antiquary who attended the ceremony:

"On Wednesday, the 11th of October, 1727, the coronation of King George II took place in Westminster Abbey. The day was fine and clear, and the streets were lined with crowds of people who had come to witness the spectacle. At around ten o'clock in the morning, the King and Queen arrived at Westminster Abbey in a procession of coaches. The King was dressed in his coronation robes, which were made of purple velvet and embroidered with gold, and he wore a crown set with diamonds. The Queen was similarly attired in a gown of purple velvet, also embroidered with gold. The ceremony began with the King's entrance into the Abbey, where he was greeted by the Archbishop of Canterbury and other officials of the Church. The King then made his way to his throne, where he received the homage of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal. Next, the Archbishop anointed the King with holy oil, and he was then invested with the royal robes, the orb, and the scepter. The crown was then placed on his head, and the Archbishop pronounced the traditional words: "Be thou a faithful king over this people of Great Britain and Ireland; remember the high trust which God hath placed in thee, to maintain the laws of God, the true profession of the Gospel, and the Protestant reformed religion." At this point, the choir burst into a triumphant anthem, and the King and Queen were escorted out of the Abbey in a grand procession. The streets were lined with cheering crowds, and the sound of cannon fire echoed through the city. The coronation of King George II was a magnificent spectacle, and it served to reinforce the authority and majesty of the monarchy in the eyes of the people. As an eyewitness to the ceremony, I was struck by the grandeur and solemnity of the occasion, and I felt privileged to have been a part of such a historic event."


Royal Succession Charts

George II of Great Britain (1683-1760)
Cadet branch of the House of Welf
Born: 9 November 1683 Died: 25 October 1760
Regnal titles
Preceded by
George I
King of Great Britain and Ireland,
Elector of Hanover

11/22 June 1727 – 25 October 1760
Succeeded by
George III
British royaltyWp globe tiny
Vacant
Title last held by
James
Prince of Wales
Duke of Cornwall
Duke of Rothesay

1714–1727
Succeeded by
Frederick
Academic offices
Preceded by
The Duke of Ormonde
Chancellor of the University of Dublin
1715–1727
Succeeded by
HRH Frederick, Prince of Wales

Footnotes

  1. ^ Van der Kiste, p. 6.
  2. ^ Black, George II, pp. 35–36; Thompson, p. 19; Van der Kiste, p. 7.
  3. ^ a b Van der Kiste, p. 17.
  4. ^ Thompson, p. 28.
  5. ^ Van der Kiste, p. 15.
  6. ^ Thompson, p. 30; Van der Kiste, p. 16.
  7. ^ Thompson, p. 31; Van der Kiste, p. 18.
  8. ^ Van der Kiste, p. 19.
  9. ^ Van der Kiste, p. 21.
  10. ^ Thompson, p. 32; Trench, p. 18; Van der Kiste, p. 22.
  11. ^ Van der Kiste, p. 23.
  12. ^ Thompson, p. 37.
  13. ^ Van der Kiste, p. 30.
  14. ^ Thompson, p. 38.
  15. ^ Weir, pp. 277–285.
  16. ^ Dennison, p. 211.


Footnotes (including sources)

‡ General
¢2 Children 2
  • Wikipedia:Johann Ludwig, Reichsgraf von Wallmoden-Gimborn, translated from the German Wikipedia, which cites Bernhard von Poten: Wallmoden-Gimborn, Ludwig Graf von. In: Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie (ADB). Band 40. Duncker & Humblot, Leipzig 1896, S. 756–761.
  • thePeerage, citing Alison Weir, Britain's Royal Family: A Complete Genealogy (London, U.K.: The Bodley Head, 1999), page 284




Robin Patterson, Thurstan, Phlox, Rtol, MainTour, Bergsmit



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