History UsefulNotes / TheHouseOfHanover

->'''Full Name''': Alexandrina Victoria [[note]]Her first name wasn't Victoria. She was originally named Alexandrina Victoria, after her godfather, Tsar Alexander I, but always preferred to go by her second name, or the nickname 'Drina.[[/note]]

* Netflix period drama ''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'' and it’s prequel ''Series/QueenCharlotteABridgertonStory'' is set in a far more racially diverse AlternateUniverse version of England during the Regency and the broader Georgian era. The diverse casting is explained by the fact that in this story's telling, Queen Charlotte herself is a mixed-race woman (which in itself is based on the tenuous link between Charlotte and her ''very'' distant ancestor, Madragana, who was purportedly [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozarabs Mozarab]]) and who therefore encouraged the ennoblement of people of colour.

* Netflix period drama ''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'' is set in a far more racially diverse AlternateUniverse version of England during the Regency. The diverse casting is explained by the fact that in this story's telling, Queen Charlotte herself is a mixed-race woman (which in itself is based on the tenuous link between Charlotte and her ''very'' distant ancestor, Madragana, who was purportedly [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozarabs Mozarab]]) and who therefore encouraged the ennoblement of people of colour.

The Americans [[UsefulNotes/TheAmericanRevolution have a more complex perspective]], but even then most historians believe him to be MisBlamed--he only had a significant role in the American crisis after the Boston Tea Party (which was beginning of the revolt's [[PointOfNoReturn turn toward anti-monarchical sentiment]]), at which point his support for a military response was just one of several trump cards the hawks in Parliament had over the doves. It's worth noting that after the USA achieved independence, he commented that "I was the last person to consent to the separation [of America and Britain], but I will be the first to accept the friendship of the United States as an independent power." (We should also note that until ''very'' shortly before the beginning of the War of Independence, many Americans liked him too--and they liked his wife even more: both Charlotte, North Carolina and Mecklenburg County in which it sits are named for her. Ironically, the city became known as a "hornet's nest of rebellion" during the War of Independence.) He opposed Catholic Emancipation, but only because he believed it would violate the coronation oath he took to 'defend the [Protestant] faith'. Alas, he is also remembered for going quite insane (probably due to porphyria), leading to...

In 1811, it was thought best that His Majesty, having gone completely cuckoo (this was not the first time, mind), should be quietly removed from power. His son, the Prince of Wales (Prinny), took over and was the nominal monarch for the next nine years. (It should be noted that from the Civil War onwards, Parliament had been growing in power - over the last century or so it had blossomed. Prinny, thankfully, did not have all that much power.)

Prinny officially got the job in 1820. Once known as the First Gentleman of Europe (mainly because he dressed well and bathed regularly: his devotion to the dress and hygiene habits of [[TheDandy Beau Brummell]] are responsible for popularising Brummell's understated, clean-cut look and fixed the essential standards of taste for men's fashion--good fabric, a simple, elegant cut, dark colours--to this day), he had largely degenerated into an [[AdiposeRex obese]] DirtyOldMan (one of his less uncomplimentary nicknames before he became King was the "Prince of Whales") whose main preoccupation was [[UnwantedSpouse depriving his wife]], Caroline of Brunswick, of her rights as queen. He barred her from his lavish coronation and she died just a few weeks later. She is the last British Queen to date to predecease her husband. His daughter and heir, Charlotte, had died in childbirth in 1817, so he spent the next couple of years watching his brothers scramble to marry and produce a viable heir of the next generation. He himself never remarried after he was widowed in 1821, though he was free to do so and (as King) could theoretically marry any (Protestant) woman he wished[[note]]Though Parliament would almost certainly have objected to any ''particularly'' unpalatable choice, as they did with Edward VIII over a century later[[/note]], because by that point the succession had been secured with the births of a number of nieces and nephews, including the future UsefulNotes/QueenVictoria.

The only remotely noteworthy aspect of George IV's reign was his about-face on the Catholic Question: after being very supportive of Catholic emancipation earlier in his life (and secretly marrying one), George publicly announced his opposition to the Catholic Relief Act of 1829 (which gave Catholics the vote). Fortunately, Parliament forced it through anyway - probably ''due to'' his opposition. Upon his death, ''The Times'' eulogized him with the line,"there never was an individual less regretted by his fellow-creatures than this deceased king...If he ever had a friend – a devoted friend in any rank of life – we protest that the name of him or her never reached us." (Continuing our theme of mutual dislike between Hanoverian monarchs and their parents, it should surprise nobody that before he lost his mind, George III found his son and heir a dissolute and thoroughly distasteful wastrel, and George IV thought his father a boring, pompous old git.)

* George II was played by Creator/RichardHarris 1990 film adaptation of the novel Literature/KingOfTheWind

!!'''George III of the United Kingdom'''

* Netflix period drama''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'' is set in a far more racially diverse AlternateUniverse version of England during the Regency. The diverse casting is explained by the fact that in this story's telling, Queen Charlotte herself is a mixed-race woman (which in itself is based on the tenuous link between Charlotte and her ''very'' distant ancestor, Madragana, who was purportedly [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozarabs Mozarab]]) and who therefore encouraged the ennoblement of people of colour.

The fifth son of George III, he was sent to Hanover in his youth for education, military training, and to get him away from the influence of the heir. By 1793 had received a lifelong facial scar on the front lines of [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution The War of the First Coalition]], and was created Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale six years later. Of course his time on the continent helped develop his authoritarian-bordering-on-absolutist arch-conservative political views, which made both his family[[note]]On average, the sons of George III were actually more liberal than typical aristocrats of their day. George IV was an aesthete and man of the status quo who (weird thing about Catholic Emancipation aside) only cared about politics for petty personal reasons. William IV and Edward, Duke of Kent were both moderately sympathetic to reform, and both were noted for their modest lifestyles (well, modest for royals at any rate) and unassuming manners. Augustus, Duke of Sussex, was an out-an-out radical (and not just for a royal, [[FairForItsDay relative to the time]]), vocally supporting Parliamentary reform, the abolition of slavery, and full political and legal equality for [[UsefulNotes/ATouchOfClassEthnicityAndReligion Dissenters, Catholics, and Jews]], making him the liberal mirror image of his older brother Cumberland. However, Sussex's views were ''just'' within the range of "respectable" opinion (being commonly held by many members of the rising industrial middle classes, especially the fairly large chunk of them who were, er, Dissenters and Jews), and (unlike Cumberland's reaction) were seen as charmingly eccentric for a royal (this was certainly his conservative niece Victoria's opinion of him; she asked him to give her away at her wedding and even ennobled his common-law wife as Duchess of Inverness in her own right). Finally, Frederick, Duke of York, and Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, were largely apolitical Army officers; to the extent that either had serious political opinions, they were in favour of reform of the Army to improve its combat effectiveness. Ernest was the only true committed conservative of the lot. The Duke of York (yes, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grand_Old_Duke_of_York that one]]) was particularly jazzed about Army reform after the poor performance of the Army in the Netherlands campaigns against the French--campaigns he had led personally, giving him something of a black eye he was eager to rectify. (These campaigns are the same ones that led UsefulNotes/TheEarlGrey to proclaim that "the British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the British Navy".) The political opinions of the daughters of George III are not well recorded, although given their personalities and behaviour it seems they were generally closer to George, William, Edward, and even Augustus than to Ernest.[[/note]] and the British public very uncomfortable. Add this to scandals up to and including actual interference in the elections for a seat in the House of Commons, and it's no surprise that he was the least popular of the seven sons of George III (''including'' George IV). He moved to Berlin with his new wife (twice widowed, the second time ''conveniently'' after meeting Ernest) in 1818, but being happily married upon the death of his only legitimate niece gave him a real chance at the British throne.

The fifth son of George III, he was sent to Hanover in his youth for education, military training, and to get him away from the influence of the heir. By 1793 had received a lifelong facial scar on the front lines of [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution The War of the First Coalition]], and was created Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale six years later. Of course his time on the continent helped develop his authoritarian-bordering-on-absolutist arch-conservative political views, which made both his family[[note]]On average, the sons of George III were actually more liberal than typical aristocrats of their day. George IV was an aesthete and man of the status quo who (weird thing about Catholic Emancipation aside) only cared about politics for petty personal reasons. William IV and Edward, Duke of Kent were both moderately sympathetic to reform, and both were noted for their modest lifestyles (well, modest for royals at any rate) and unassuming manners. Augustus, Duke of Sussex, was an out-an-out radical (and not just for a royal, [[FairForItsDay relative to the time]]), vocally supporting Parliamentary reform, the abolition of slavery, and full political and legal equality for Dissenters, Catholics, and Jews, making him the liberal mirror image of his older brother Cumberland. However, Sussex's views were ''just'' within the range of "respectable" opinion (being commonly held by many members of the rising industrial middle classes, especially the fairly large chunk of them who were, er, Dissenters and Jews), and (unlike Cumberland's reaction) were seen as charmingly eccentric for a royal (this was certainly his conservative niece Victoria's opinion of him; she asked him to give her away at her wedding and even ennobled his common-law wife as Duchess of Inverness in her own right). Finally, Frederick, Duke of York, and Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, were largely apolitical Army officers; to the extent that either had serious political opinions, they were in favour of reform of the Army to improve its combat effectiveness. Ernest was the only true committed conservative of the lot. The Duke of York (yes, [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grand_Old_Duke_of_York that one]]) was particularly jazzed about Army reform after the poor performance of the Army in the Netherlands campaigns against the French--campaigns he had led personally, giving him something of a black eye he was eager to rectify. (These campaigns are the same ones that led UsefulNotes/TheEarlGrey to proclaim that "the British Army should be a projectile to be fired by the British Navy".) The political opinions of the daughters of George III are not well recorded, although given their personalities and behaviour it seems they were generally closer to George, William, Edward, and even Augustus than to Ernest.[[/note]] and the British public very uncomfortable. Add this to scandals up to and including actual interference in the elections for a seat in the House of Commons, and it's no surprise that he was the least popular of the seven sons of George III (''including'' George IV). He moved to Berlin with his new wife (twice widowed, the second time ''conveniently'' after meeting Ernest) in 1818, but being happily married upon the death of his only legitimate niece gave him a real chance at the British throne.

The fifth son of George III, he was sent to Hanover in his youth for education, military training, and to get him away from the influence of the heir. By 1793 had received a lifelong facial scar on the front lines of [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution The War of the First Coalition]], and was created Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale six years later. Of course his time on the continent helped develop his authoritarian-bordering-on-absolutist arch-conservative political views, which made both his family[[note]]On average, the sons of George III were actually more liberal than typical aristocrats of their day. George IV was an aesthete and man of the status quo who (weird thing about Catholic Emancipation aside) only cared about politics for petty personal reasons. William IV and Edward, Duke of Kent were both moderately sympathetic to reform, and both were noted for their modest lifestyles (well, modest for royals at any rate) and unassuming manners. Augustus, Duke of Sussex, was an out-an-out radical (and not just for a royal, [[FairForItsDay relative to the time]]), vocally supporting Parliamentary reform, the abolition of slavery, and full political and legal equality for Dissenters, Catholics, and Jews, making him the liberal mirror image of his older brother Cumberland. However, Sussex's views were ''just'' within the range of "respectable" opinion (being commonly held by many members of the rising industrial middle classes, especially the fairly large chunk of them who were, er, Dissenters and Jews), and (unlike Cumberland's reaction) were seen as charmingly eccentric for a royal (this was certainly his conservative niece Victoria's opinion of him; she asked him to give her away at her wedding and even ennobled his common-law wife as Duchess of Inverness in her own right). Finally, Frederick, Duke of York, and Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, were largely apolitical Army officers; to the extent that either had serious political opinions, they were in favour of reform of the Army to improve its combat effectiveness. Ernest was the only true committed conservative of the lot. (The political opinions of the daughters of George III are not well recorded, although given their personalities and behaviour it seems they were generally closer to George, William, Edward, and even Augustus than to Ernest.[[/note]] and the British public very uncomfortable. Add this to scandals up to and including actual interference in the elections for a seat in the House of Commons, and it's no surprise that he was the least popular of the seven sons of George III (''including'' George IV). He moved to Berlin with his new wife (twice widowed, the second time ''conveniently'' after meeting Ernest) in 1818, but being happily married upon the death of his only legitimate niece gave him a real chance at the British throne.

-->--'''''WebVideo/HistoryMatters''''', "Why did Britain lose Hanover?"

George was often ridiculed in England for his wooden mannerisms and supposed inability to speak English (he handled royal business in French, and may have picked up the language later in life),[[note]]Recent research indicates that George could probably ''understand'' English well-enough, and was able to write in it when necessary, but he never learned to ''speak'' the language above a rudimentary level. Like many who learn English as a second language, he struggled to master its pronunciation and grammar rules and thus only used English in public statements and official correspondence.[[/note]] but by and large, contemporary accounts held him to be a better choice than the Stuarts. His treatment of his wife did however embitter his son against him, starting a tradition among the Hanovers and Wettins/Windsors of father-son animosity that lasted until the reign of Edward VII. He died on a visit to Hanover, and was buried there, making him the last British monarch not to be buried in England.[[note]]In fact, with the exception of his son George II, all of his successors have been buried in Windsor - even Edward VIII.[[/note]]

George was often ridiculed in England for his wooden mannerisms and supposed inability to speak English (he handled royal business in French, and may have picked up the language later in life),[[note]]Recent research indicates that George could probably ''understand'' English well-enough, and was able to write in it when necessary, but he never learned to ''speak'' the language due to failing to master its pronunciations.[[/note]] but by and large, contemporary accounts held him to be a better choice than the Stuarts. His treatment of his wife did however embitter his son against him, starting a tradition among the Hanovers and Wettins/Windsors of father-son animosity that lasted until the reign of Edward VII. He died on a visit to Hanover, and was buried there, making him the last British monarch not to be buried in England.[[note]]In fact, with the exception of his son George II, all of his successors have been buried in Windsor - even Edward VIII.[[/note]]

George was often ridiculed in England for his wooden mannerisms and supposed inability to speak English (he handled royal business in French, and may have picked up the language later in life), but by and large, contemporary accounts held him to be a better choice than the Stuarts. His treatment of his wife did however embitter his son against him, starting a tradition among the Hanovers and Wettins/Windsors of father-son animosity that lasted until the reign of Edward VII. He died on a visit to Hanover, and was buried there, making him the last British monarch not to be buried in England.[[note]]In fact, with the exception of his son George II, all of his successors have been buried in Windsor - even Edward VIII.[[/note]]

The song that became the UK's national anthem, 'God Save The King', was written and first performed during George II's reign – and remains used to this day, as 'God Save The Queen' .

[[quoteright:250:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/houseofhanover_7585.png]]

William IV outlived both of his legitimate children, so when he died the Crown came to his niece, Victoria. (Hanover itself, meanwhile, passed out of personal union with Great Britain and into the hands of William's younger brother Ernest Augustus, as the throne of Hanover couldn't be inherited by a woman.) Her reign was long and eventful; she became both the longest-lived British sovereign (the third time this had occurred in the last five monarchs) and longest-reigning monarch in British history, only surpassed in either category by the present Queen Elizabeth II.\\\

Thus, the company bought a large portion of the British national debt and begun selling shares by the thousands. Engaging in practices that were distinctly dodgy to drive up the price, such as bribery, paying people to buy shares, and "selling" shares to politicians. The politicians didn't actually pay for them and then sold them back, thus increasing the share price. There were also increasingly ludicrous rumours profits being circulated by Company shills, including for a time, one Daniel Defoe.

George and his eldest son Frederick, the Prince of Wales, carried on the Hanoverian tradition of mutual dislike between father and son; when George's ship was feared lost in a gale in the North Sea, Frederick held a dinner party in celebration. Caroline's early death[[note]]from a hernia complicated by uterine rupture and a strangulated bowel - and unsuccessful surgery without anaesthetic to correct the problem[[/note]] was attributed by George to the rage she felt at Frederick over the stunt. Luckily for George (and possibly the nation) Frederick predeceased his father.

The fifth son of George III, he was sent to Hanover in his youth for education, military training, and to get him away from the influence of the heir. By 1793 had received a lifelong facial scar on the front lines of [[UsefulNotes/TheFrenchRevolution The War of the First Coalition]], and was created Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale six years later. Of course his time on the continent helped develop his authoritarian-bordering-on-absolutist arch-conservative political views, which made both his family[[note]]On average, the sons of George III were actually more liberal than typical aristocrats of their day. George IV was an aesthete and man of the status quo who (weird thing about Catholic Emancipation aside) only cared about politics for petty personal reasons. William IV and Edward, Duke of Kent were both moderately sympathetic to reform, and both were noted for their modest lifestyles (well, modest for royals at any rate) and unassuming manners. Augustus, Duke of Sussex, was an out-an-out radical (and not just for a royal, [[FairForItsDay relative to the time]]), vocally supporting Parliamentary reform, the abolition of slavery, and full political and legal equality for Dissenters, Catholics, and Jews, making him the liberal mirror image of his older brother Cumberland. However, Sussex's views were ''just'' within the range of "respectable" opinion (being commonly held by many members of the rising industrial middle classes, especially the fairly large chunk of them who were, er, Dissenters and Jews), and (unlike Cumberland's reaction) were seen as charmingly eccentric for a royal (this was certainly his niece Victoria's opinion of him). Finally, Frederick, Duke of York, and Adolphus, Duke of Cambridge, were largely apolitical Army officers; to the extent that either had serious political opinions, they were in favour of reform of the Army to improve its combat effectiveness. Ernest was the only true committed conservative of the lot. (The political opinions of the daughters of George III are not well recorded, although given their personalities and behaviour it seems they were generally closer to George, William, Edward, and even Augustus than to Ernest.[[/note]] and the British public very uncomfortable. Add this to scandals up to and including actual interference in the elections for a seat in the House of Commons, and it's no surprise that he was the least popular of the seven sons of George III (''including'' George IV). He moved to Berlin with his new wife (twice widowed, the second time ''conveniently'' after meeting Ernest) in 1818, but being happily married upon the death of his only legitimate niece gave him a real chance at the British throne.

Eventually living to the age of 77, George was to this point the longest-lived monarch the land had ever seen. As holder of this record he was succeeded, as on the throne, by:

** All of Creator/JaneAusten's works were written during this time, with various references to the political climate. It's also worth noting that the future George IV was a fan, and had dropped some heavy hints that he wanted her to dedicate a novel to him. Austen, who deeply disliked the Prince Regent, nevertheless acquiesced by dedicating ''Literature/{{Emma}}'' to him "by His Royal Highness's dutiful and obedient humble servant, The Author." Many Austen scholars have interpreted the wording of the lengthy dedication to be something of a TakeThat.

->'''Full Name''': George Augustus

->'''Full Name''': George William Frederick

->'''Full Name''': George Augustus Frederick

->'''Full Name''': William Henry

!!'''Prince Ernest Augustus I of Hanover'''

* Netflix period dramedy ''Series/{{Bridgerton}}'' is set in a far more racially diverse AlternateUniverse version of England during the Regency. The diverse casting is explained by the fact that in this story's telling, Queen Charlotte herself is a mixed-race woman (which in itself is based on the tenuous link between Charlotte and her ''very'' distant ancestor, Madragana, who was purportedly [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mozarabs Mozarab]]) and who therefore encouraged the ennoblement of people of colour.

All surviving descendants of his mother Sophia are also his descendants, as of all her other children only her daughter Sophia Charlotte also had issue, a son, who married George's daughter.

-->--'''''History Matters''''', "Why did Britain lose Hanover?"

* Any work taking place in UsefulNotes/TheNapoleonicWars, though those stories tend to focus on the fighting as opposed to the Hanover dynasty. That said, Literature/HoratioHornblower meets George III, seems to be acquainted with the Duke of Clarence (as William IV was before becoming King) [[note]] it seems to be implied that their acquaintanceship is professional, as Clarence was an officer in the Royal Navy, although he wasn't on active service during the Napoleonic Wars[[/note]] and gets knighted by the Prince Regent, while [[Literature/Sharpe Richard Sharpe]] also meets the latter.

* Any work taking place in UsefulNotes/TheNapoleonicWars, though those stories tend to focus on the fighting as opposed to the Hanover dynasty.