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He was the ruler of the Duchy and Electorate of Brunswick-Lüneburg (Hanover). George never learned English, so the conduct of national policy was left to goverment of the time. In 1715, the Jacobites attempted to suplant George, but they did not succeed. George spent little time in England, where he was implicated in the South Sea Bubble financial scandal of 1720. -
George II was King of Great Britain and Ireland, Duke of Brunswick-Lüneburg and prince-elector of the Holy Roman Empire, though he was born outside Britain. He is the only son of George I and he was the last English to lead his army into battle at Dettingen in 1743. -
George's life and reign, were marked by a series of military conflicts involving his kingdoms, like the Seven Years War against France. The United Kingdom became the dominant European power in North America and India. His reign was one of elegance and the age of some of the greatest names in English literature, like Jane Austen, Shelley and Byron. Unfortunately, this British King suffered from a mental illness, and he became blind and insane. -
Her reign saw the British empire double in size and in 1876, the Queen became Empress of India. She had nine children, 40 grandchildren and 37 great-grandchildren, scattered all over Europe. She inherited the throne aged 18 after her father's brothers died. -
Known as the 'First Gentleman of Europe'. He had a love of art and architecture but his private life was a mess, he married twice. He led an extravagant lifestyle that contributed to the fashions of the Regency era. He was a patron of new forms of leisure, style and taste. By the time of his accession, he was obese and possibly addicted to laudanum. George was considered a great wit, but was also a buffoon and his death was hailed with relief. -
Known as the 'Sailor King'. He was the third son of George III. During his reign, Britain abolished slavery in the colonies. George IV became the last kind and penultimate monarch of Britains' House of Hanover. -
As king, Edward played a role in the modernisation of the British Home Fleet and the reorganisation of the British Army after the Second Boer War. He had all the socials graces and many sporting interests, yachting and horse-racing. -
George V was Emperor of India. He did not expect to be king, but when his elder brother died he became the heir-apparent. He began the Royal Broadcast on Christmas Day. George V's reign saw the rise of socialism, communism and fascism. -
Edward was born during the reign of his great-grandmother Queen Victoria as the eldest child of the Duke and Duchess of York. He renounced the throne to marry Mrs. Wallis Simpson. He abdicated in favour of his brother. -
The post-war years of his reign were once of great social change and saw the start of the National Health Service. He was not expected to inherit the throne and spent his early life in the shadow of his elder brother Edward. -
Elizabeth is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch. She was heavily involved in the war effort during the Second World War. She served in the women's branch of the British Army know as the 'Auxiliary Territorial Service'.