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17 August 1762 (St James's Palace) - 26 June 1830 (Windsor Castle). 1820-1830 King of Britain and Ireland. Eldest son of [[George III]] and Queen Charlotte. | |||
==Early life== | ==Early life== | ||
Already in his early years, he began pursuing a life of pleasure. In 1781 he was blackmailed by one of his acquaintances who threatened to sell his love letters. George III had to pay £5,000 to prevent them from being | Already in his early years, he began pursuing a life of pleasure. In 1781 he was blackmailed by one of his acquaintances who threatened to sell his love letters (oxfordreference.com). George III had to pay £5,000 to prevent them from being published (oxfordreference.com). George then moved on to another love acquaintance and in 1785 he secretly married Maria Fitzherbert, a Catholic widow whom he fell madly in love with in 1784. Because of the Act of Settlement he would not have been able to become king the marriage was declared invalid by his father. | ||
==Marriage== | |||
==Legitimate Marriage== | |||
George ended up marrying his cousin, Princess Caroline of Brunswick. She gave birth to their daughter Charlotte in 1796. When she died in childbirth in 1817, Caroline, who had gone abroad to Italy after the birth, now came back to demand her rights of queenship (oxfordreference.com). He successfully prevented her from attending the coronation and becoming queen. She died only one month later. This news was not unpleasant for George IV, who had been trying to divorce her for quite a while. | |||
==Devotion== | ==Devotion== | ||
George IV is considered an outstanding collector and builder. His enthusiasm for architecture can be held responsible for the "Regency" style of architecture. He | George IV is considered an outstanding collector and builder. His enthusiasm for architecture can be held responsible for the "Regency" style of architecture. He was responsible for the construction of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and oversaw the renovations of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. His passion for collecting led him to acquire some important works of art, which can be found in today's Royal Collection. His interest spread from dress over fashion to military matters. He was friends with artists, acquired artworks from auctions and dealers and obtained French furniture to furnish his houses. | ||
==Reign== | ==Reign== | ||
After his coronation in 1820, he visited Hannover in 1821 and Scotland in 1822. This visit made him the first monarch to visit Scotland since 1651. Politically he did not enjoy the best standing. In 1829 George was forced to agree to | After his coronation in 1820, he visited Hannover in 1821 and Scotland in 1822. This visit made him the first monarch to visit Scotland since 1651. Politically he did not enjoy the best standing. In 1829 George was forced to agree to Catholic emancipation. This agreement went "[…] much against his will and his interpretation of his coronation oath […]"(royal.uk). However, this decision gave the monarchy the chance of having a bigger national role (royal.uk). | ||
==Death | |||
George IV died at 67 years old at Windsor Castle. | ==Death== | ||
George IV died at 67 years old at Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by his brother William, Duke of Clarance, who ascended to the position as William IV. | |||
==Works Cited== | |||
BBC History. "George IV (1762.1830)". ''bbc.co.uk'', original URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/george_iv_king.shtml. | |||
Britannia. "George IV (1820-30 AD)". ''britannia.com'', original URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20180912151052/http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon56.html. | |||
Oxford Reference. "George IV".''oxford reference.com'', original URL: https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199559220.001.0001/acref-9780199559220-e-166. | |||
The Royal Family. "George IV (r. 1820-1839)". ''royal.uk'', original URL: https://www.royal.uk/george-iv. | |||
Royal Collection Trust. "GEORGE, KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (1762-1830)". ''rct.uk'', original URL: https://www.rct.uk/collection/people/george-iv-king-of-the-united-kingdom-1762-1830#/type/subject. | |||
Latest revision as of 19:17, 5 July 2023
17 August 1762 (St James's Palace) - 26 June 1830 (Windsor Castle). 1820-1830 King of Britain and Ireland. Eldest son of George III and Queen Charlotte.
Early life
Already in his early years, he began pursuing a life of pleasure. In 1781 he was blackmailed by one of his acquaintances who threatened to sell his love letters (oxfordreference.com). George III had to pay £5,000 to prevent them from being published (oxfordreference.com). George then moved on to another love acquaintance and in 1785 he secretly married Maria Fitzherbert, a Catholic widow whom he fell madly in love with in 1784. Because of the Act of Settlement he would not have been able to become king the marriage was declared invalid by his father.
Legitimate Marriage
George ended up marrying his cousin, Princess Caroline of Brunswick. She gave birth to their daughter Charlotte in 1796. When she died in childbirth in 1817, Caroline, who had gone abroad to Italy after the birth, now came back to demand her rights of queenship (oxfordreference.com). He successfully prevented her from attending the coronation and becoming queen. She died only one month later. This news was not unpleasant for George IV, who had been trying to divorce her for quite a while.
Devotion
George IV is considered an outstanding collector and builder. His enthusiasm for architecture can be held responsible for the "Regency" style of architecture. He was responsible for the construction of the Royal Pavilion in Brighton and oversaw the renovations of Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. His passion for collecting led him to acquire some important works of art, which can be found in today's Royal Collection. His interest spread from dress over fashion to military matters. He was friends with artists, acquired artworks from auctions and dealers and obtained French furniture to furnish his houses.
Reign
After his coronation in 1820, he visited Hannover in 1821 and Scotland in 1822. This visit made him the first monarch to visit Scotland since 1651. Politically he did not enjoy the best standing. In 1829 George was forced to agree to Catholic emancipation. This agreement went "[…] much against his will and his interpretation of his coronation oath […]"(royal.uk). However, this decision gave the monarchy the chance of having a bigger national role (royal.uk).
Death
George IV died at 67 years old at Windsor Castle. He was succeeded by his brother William, Duke of Clarance, who ascended to the position as William IV.
Works Cited
BBC History. "George IV (1762.1830)". bbc.co.uk, original URL: https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/historic_figures/george_iv_king.shtml.
Britannia. "George IV (1820-30 AD)". britannia.com, original URL: https://web.archive.org/web/20180912151052/http://www.britannia.com/history/monarchs/mon56.html.
Oxford Reference. "George IV".oxford reference.com, original URL: https://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780199559220.001.0001/acref-9780199559220-e-166.
The Royal Family. "George IV (r. 1820-1839)". royal.uk, original URL: https://www.royal.uk/george-iv.
Royal Collection Trust. "GEORGE, KING OF THE UNITED KINGDOM (1762-1830)". rct.uk, original URL: https://www.rct.uk/collection/people/george-iv-king-of-the-united-kingdom-1762-1830#/type/subject.