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Portrait of George II of Great Britain

George II of Great Britain

Reign: 1727 – 1760
Life: 1683–1760

The Act of Settlement 1701 and the Acts of Union 1707 positioned his grandmother Sophia of Hanover and her Protestant descendants to inherit the British throne. George married Princess Caroline of Brandenburg-Ansbach, with whom he had eight children. As elector he spent twelve summers in Hanover, where he had more direct control over government policy. During the War of the Austrian Succession, George participated at the Battle of Dettingen, and thus became the most recent British monarch to lead an army in battle.

During George II of Great Britain's reign, Frederick II of Prussia ruled Prussia, Elizabeth I of Russia ruled Russia, and Louis XV of France ruled France.

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George II by Andrew C. Thompson

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Recommended read

George II

Andrew C. Thompson

The Yale monarchs volume on the last British king born outside the realm.

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