George I (1660-1727)

[Dee Anna]

I've just read that article Eya; from my (years ago) earlier readings Sophia Dorothea has been one of my favourite royal wives.

It depicts George as being something of a hypocrite - very true in modern times.

Unfortunately back in time, Kings were practically expected to keep mistresses! while Queens were expected to just put up (and probably very happy to do so in a lot of cases once duty was done!).

Should a Queen stray there was always the chance that a pretender prince or princess could take the throne.

[Denville]

He was a thoroughly unpleasant man but she was a very stupid woman

[WreathOfLaurels]

Without condoning what happened with Koingsmark, it's a pity it all came to this as far from being vile George was actually a underrated monarch and is highly regarded as Elector, far from being the boor he's often made out as being, George was regarded as a model enlightenment prince by many in Germany in his own life time. He helped consolidate the system of cabinet government and the office of the prime minister was developed during his time as King. A lot of people who knew him in person often really respected and liked him. He could speak English and if not French was adequate for government business. Most of the other stories (that he was carrying on with his half sister being the most important) are old Jacobite propaganda.

There isn't much actual evidence linking George to Koingsmarks murder, it may well have been other members of the court acting on their own steam to prevent a major crisis, it's pretty likely that he was involved but there is still the possibility that he was not. The fact that K and SD were planning to elope was a major threat to the consolidation of the Brunswick Luneburg lands and would severely undermine the family's attempts at gaining electoral dignity from the emperor and their eventual accession to the British throne. It's also worth nothing that SD's father agreed to her house arrest and loss of access to children was common for women in her position in those days.

There is a bio of George by the late Ranghild Hatton that may be of interest for those who want more info on this time period.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geor..._Great_Britain

[Denville]

I don't know what he was like as King/Elector.. but he certainly was an upleasant man as a husband. But Sophia should have not had an affair. ITs unfair but that's the way it was.. or at least if she had an affair, keep it discreet and certainly not be thinking of elopement.

[CyrilVladisla]

Why did King George I have little interest in the domestic affairs of England?After all, he had succeeded Queen Anne as sovereign.

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

Why did King George I have little interest in the domestic affairs of England?After all, he had succeeded Queen Anne as sovereign.

George was German. He was 54 years old when he came to the throne. He was 50 when he was made heir to the throne. George spoke very little English, believed almost none at first, and had to converse with his ministers in French. He eventually stopped attending cabinet meetings and just meeting in private, which led to lessening of power of his cabinet.

It wasn't really a matter that he had NO interest. He had interest, he simply lacked power or will power. He was used to Hannover where he was absolute monarch and his word was law. In GB he had to contend with parliament. While he was strong and quite effective in foreign policy, helping lead GB in foreign alliances, he crumbled under pressure from his ministers in domestic policy. With his son and heir joining the opposition, he found himself unable to stand up to the likes of Walpole. Its not that he didn't have a desire to change domestic policy, just not the will power.

Its sharp contrast to Hannover. In GB where he was seen as cold and unintelligent by many, in Hannover it was very different. He was considered a very progressive leader, one who was a great supporter of the enlightenment. He offered sanctuary to Voltaire, and he allowed public criticism without censoring it.

[CyrilVladisla]

Did King George I offer solitude to Voltaire in Hanover or in Great Britain?

[Countessmeout]

Originally Posted by CyrilVladisla

Did King George I offer solitude to Voltaire in Hanover or in Great Britain?

England. After being arrested for at least the second time he was offered a choice between continued time in the Bastile or exile. He was offered sanctuary in the UK by George who was actually a fan of his earlier work. George I died not long after, and while his son was not a fan, Queen Caroline was. Voltaire was a fan of the constitutional monarchy in the Uk over absolute in France.

[CyrilVladisla]

On December 28, 1694 Sophia Dorothea's marriage to George Louis was dissolved. Why was she not permitted to remarry?

[CyrilVladisla]

How influential was Sir Robert Walpole in helping King George I in the South Sea Bubble incident?