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There were a lot of better qualified people available to
be king of England - unfortunately most of them were Catholic. George I
was a German who did not speak a word of English, but was Protestant. So
started the rule of the House of Hanover, under whom Britain achieved
wealth and peace over the next century |
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| George was immediately challenged by James II's son, James the Old
Pretender, landing in Scotland in an abortive attempt to seize the throne.
James soon fled back into exile in France |
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With foreign kings. parliament became more powerful, and the leading
politician was Walpole (right) who was prime minister until 1742. He
avoided the expense of war, and Britain prospered |
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In 1745 the exiled Stuarts led by James II's grandson, Bonnie Prince
Charlie.His Highland army got as far south as Derby, but a poor supply
line and English reinforcements forced them to retreat. A retreat that
ended with the final defeat at Culloden |
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The coming of George III (right) to the throne in 1760, brought the
first British born king for 50 years. And a king who was to reign for the
next 50 years. They were exciting times, marred only by the loss of the
American Colonies. |
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A canal network was built (left). Captain Cook explored
the Pacific (right). Robert Adams was the architect to commission, John
Wilkes won liberties for the people, Josiah Wedgwood made china,
Gainsborough and Stubbs paints, Capability Brown designed gardens |
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| Britain won new territories in Canada and
India, but lost the oldest settlement of all, with the declaration of
independence by the American colonies in 1776 and the final surrender at
Yorktown (right) in 1781 |
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The loss of the American colonies brought about
changes in Britain with the appointment of Pitt the Younger as prime
minister, whose legislative programme was to bring about the end of royal
power. |
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At home the industrial revolution was in full swing. Coal fires
(right) lit the night sky as they powered steam engines in factories. But
in Europe, French power was manifesting itself following the French
revolution in 1789. Nelsons's victory at Trafalgar ensured the Britain
ruled the seas, but French troops controlled Europe. A major war loomed |
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