‘A frenzy of quitting’: the art of resigning in the 18th century

In the latest blog for the Georgian Lords, Dr Charles Littleton considers two episodes in the mid-18th century when governments were subject to mass resignations… Between 5 and 7 July 2022, over 60 members of Boris Johnson’s government resigned, the highest number of resignations in a limited period in British political history. Few 18th-century governments saw as many departures, but many of the period’s administrations … Continue reading ‘A frenzy of quitting’: the art of resigning in the 18th century

Death of a Queen: the tragic end of Caroline of Ansbach

In the latest post for the Georgian Lords, Dr Robin Eagles, considers the grisly end of Queen Caroline of Ansbach, the botched efforts of her physicians to assist her and her wider importance to the Hanoverian regime. On 20 November 1737 Queen Caroline of Ansbach, who reigned alongside George II for just over a decade, died after an agonizing last illness. Caroline’s final days pointed … Continue reading Death of a Queen: the tragic end of Caroline of Ansbach

William Augustus, duke of Cumberland, ‘the real Prime Minister’ and ‘the strangest cabinet in British history’

2021 is the 300th anniversary of the birth of one of British history’s most controversial characters: William Augustus, duke of Cumberland, younger son of George II and the brutal victor of the battle of Culloden. Dr Robin Eagles, editor of the Lords 1715-1790 section, reconsiders Cumberland’s longer career and how he was – for a brief while – effectively the only royal ever to have … Continue reading William Augustus, duke of Cumberland, ‘the real Prime Minister’ and ‘the strangest cabinet in British history’

‘His Presence contributed greatly to the success of the Day’: George II, king and soldier

Today marks the anniversary of the coronation of George II, the British monarch known for being the last to ride into battle with their troops. He did so at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. Dr Robin Eagles, Editor of our House of Lords 1715-1790 Section and manager of the Georgian Lords Twitter and blog discusses George’s, initially less illustrious, military career… On Sunday 27 … Continue reading ‘His Presence contributed greatly to the success of the Day’: George II, king and soldier

Parliaments Politics and People seminar: Andrew Thompson (Queens’ Cambridge) ‘George II, Power and Parliament’

Dr Robin Eagles reports back from our latest ‘Parliament, politics and people‘ seminar… Neither of the first two Hanoverian monarchs has fared well in popular perception. Both have been dismissed as remote, stolid and very foreign. Our latest seminar by Andrew Thompson challenged some of these preconceptions about the second of the Georges. In his paper Andrew sought to draw together some of his earlier … Continue reading Parliaments Politics and People seminar: Andrew Thompson (Queens’ Cambridge) ‘George II, Power and Parliament’