George II of Great Britain
King of Great Britain and Ireland; last monarch to lead in battle.
George II (George Augustus; 30 October / 9 November 1683 – 25 October 1760) was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover), and a prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire. He reigned from 11 June 1727 until his death. Born and raised in northern Germany, he remains the most recent British monarch born outside of Great Britain. He was also the last British king to personally lead troops in battle, doing so at the Battle of Dettingen during the War of the Austrian Succession.
He was the son of George Louis, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg (later King George I), and Sophia Dorothea of Celle. His parents both committed adultery, and their marriage was dissolved in 1694 on the grounds that Sophia Dorothea had abandoned her husband. She was then confined to Ahlden House and denied access to her children, whom she likely never saw again. George spoke only French until age four, then learned German from a tutor. He also studied English, Italian, genealogy, military history, and battle tactics.
Through the Act of Settlement 1701 and the Acts of Union 1707, his grandmother Sophia of Hanover and her Protestant descendants were positioned to inherit the British throne. After the deaths of Sophia and Queen Anne, George’s father became King George I in 1714. George was naturalized as an English subject in 1705, made a Knight of the Garter in 1706, and created Duke and Marquess of Cambridge, among other titles. In the early years of his father’s reign, he associated with opposition politicians before they rejoined the governing party.
George married Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach in 1705, after visiting her incognito as “Monsieur de Busch” to avoid a loveless arranged marriage. They had eight children. He participated in the Battle of Oudenarde in 1708, where his horse was killed but he survived unharmed. As king from 1727, he had little control over British domestic policy, which Parliament largely controlled. As elector, he spent twelve summers in Hanover, where he exercised more direct control over government. His relationship with his eldest son, Frederick, was difficult; Frederick supported the parliamentary opposition. During the War of the Austrian Succession, George fought at Dettingen, becoming the last British monarch to lead an army in battle. Supporters of the Stuart claimant James attempted to depose him in the
- born
- 30 October / 9 November 1683, Hanover, Germany
- died
- 25 October 1760
- field
- Monarchy
- nationality
- British (born German)
- known_for
- Last British monarch to lead troops in battle; most recent British monarch born outside Great Britain
Lore & Background
George was born in Hanover to George Louis, Hereditary Prince of Brunswick-Lüneburg (later George I), and Sophia Dorothea of Celle. His parents' marriage was dissolved in 1694 after both committed adultery, and his mother was confined to Ahlden House, denied access to her children. George spoke only French until age four, then learned German, English, and Italian, and studied genealogy, military history, and battle tactics. He married Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach in 1705 after visiting her incognito as 'Monsieur de Busch'; they had eight children. In 1708 he fought at the Battle of Oudenarde, where his horse was killed but he survived unharmed.
After his father became king in 1714, George was made Prince of Wales. He quarreled with his father over the christening of his second son, George William, leading to his banishment from St James's Palace and temporary separation from his children. As king from 1727, he exercised little control over British domestic policy, which was largely controlled by Parliament, but spent twelve summers in Hanover where he had more direct control. He had a difficult relationship with his eldest son, Frederick, who supported the parliamentary opposition. Frederick died suddenly in 1751, and George was succeeded by Frederick's eldest son, George III.
Reader's Guide
George II's reign is significant for the consolidation of the Hanoverian dynasty in Britain and the ongoing shift of power to Parliament. Although historians once viewed him with disdain, focusing on his mistresses, short temper, and boorishness, later reassessment suggests he exercised more influence in foreign policy and military appointments than previously thought. His participation at the Battle of Dettingen made him the most recent British monarch to lead an army in battle. The Jacobite rising of 1745, led by James Stuart's son, attempted and failed to depose him. His legacy includes being the last British monarch born outside Great Britain and a figure whose personal rule was limited by parliamentary authority, foreshadowing the modern constitutional monarchy.
Did You Know?
- George II was the most recent British monarch born outside Great Britain.
- He was the last British monarch to lead an army in battle, at the Battle of Dettingen.
- He spoke only French until age four, then learned German, English, and Italian.
- His mother was confined to Ahlden House after her marriage was dissolved, and he probably never saw her again.
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