2006-12-03 06:05:22 · 6 answers · asked by dgethin 1 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
George I was a German, the first of the Hanoverian monarchs succeeding the childless Queen Anne when the Stuart line ran out.
George had only a nebulous claim to the throne. His ancestry descended from James I, George’s great grandfather. Parliament had decided by the Act of Settlement of 1701, that George would succeed in due course but many other candidates for the throne with closer claims by primogeniture had been overlooked in the selection process. The other candidates were either Catholic, a threat to the Established Church, or monarchs of other nations, a great difficulty when England was at war with France and some other European states.
George had certain advantages for the throne. He was an able military strategist, he had connections in the courts of Europe and had one priceless advantage: He could not speak English. This was of great advantage to the king’s ministers as the king, being unable to order affairs of state directly, was obliged to delegate to them. The king’s favourite minister, Robert Walpole, by degrees took over the government and earned himself the title of Prime Minister. Walpole was the first Prime Minister and the longest serving. Unfortunately, Walpole could not speak German but both he and king George spoke French so the business of state had to be conducted in the language of the enemy.
George made intermittent visits to his homeland and, on one occasion, he had a stroke when sitting on the toilet and died.
2006-12-03 09:00:27 · answer #1 · answered by Retired 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George the First, King of England and Elector of Hanover.
2006-12-03 16:56:54 · answer #2 · answered by Graham W 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He didn't, he ascended to the BRITISH throne.
In England he was called King George (not George the First, of course, until after there had been a George the Second), and the same in Scotland by the majority of the people. However the various Jacobites, who supported the successors of James VII deposed in 1688, called him the "wee German lairdie" instead, and sang uncomplimentary songs about him.
2006-12-03 17:24:22 · answer #3 · answered by bh8153 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
George I was the first of the (British) Hanoverian kings.
2006-12-03 14:36:17 · answer #4 · answered by Nobody 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
George I.
2006-12-03 14:20:26 · answer #5 · answered by Chrispy 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
William of Orange
2006-12-03 14:15:00 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋