The House of HanovariansAnne died without leaving an heir, succession to the throne passed to Sophia's son George of Hanover. King George I 1714 – 1727 Son of Sophia and great-grandson of James I. The first German king of England made little effort to learn the language and customs of the country and communicated with his ministers in French. He spent much of his reign in Hanover. Sir Robert Walpole became England's first Prime Minister. King George II 1727 – 1760 Son of George I Preferred Germany to England, but learned to speak English, unlike his father. He was the last English King to appear on the battlefield - against the French at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743. King George III 1760 – 1820 George III was the first Hanoverian monarch to be born in England. He was the son of Frederick Louis, Prince of Wales, and grandson of George II. George III ruled for 50 years and fathered 15 children. Australia was colonised. His reign was the age of some of the greatest names in English literature - Jane Austen, Byron, Shelley, Keats and Wordsworth. It was also the time of great statesmen like Pitt and Fox and great captains like Wellington and Nelson. In 1773 the 'Boston Tea Party' was the first sign of the troubles that were to come in America. The American Colonies proclaimed their independence on July 4th 1776. The 1790s saw the French Revolution. The wars with France continued until Napoleon's defeat at Waterloo in 1815. King George IV 1820 – 1830 Eldest son of George III. He became Prince Regent while his father was very ill. Built Brighton Pavilion. King William IV 1830 – 1837 Third son of George III Became known as the "Sailor King" after joining the navy from just 13 years old. During his reign England abolished slavery in the colonies in 1833. Queen Victoria 1837 – 1901 She was the daughter of Edward, duke of Kent (fourth son of George III) and a niece of George IV and William lV. She married Albert of Saxe - Coburg Gotha. Ruled during the industrial revolution. The British Empire became powerful, rich and confident. When Victoria died in 1901, after the longest reign in English history, the British Empire and British world power had reached their highest point. She had 9 children, 40 grand-children and 37 great-grandchildren, scattered all over Europe.
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