From being the ruler of an obscure German electorate George I suddenly became king of on the most powerful nations in the world in his fifties. He was never popular in his new kingdom but established a constitutional monarchy which has survived to today.
This course was run at the City Lit on Saturday 16th March 2019. A revised version was run via zoom on 21st and 28th November and 5th December 2020.
We examined George’s German background and experiences as ruler in Hanover, how he succeeded to the throne in the most unlikely manner, his limited knowledge of his new kingdom, his policies, his stormy marriage, unusual mistresses and his love of music, especially that of Handel, the attempts by the Jacobites to oust him and other crises.
These are the handouts on the day in 2019. Revised slides from 2020 are below.
children and grandchildren rev
These are the slides shown in a printable format
George I slides 1 2019 printable
George I slides 2 2019 printable
George I slides 3 2019 printable
In addition you might be interested in these podcasts from Melvyn Bragg’s In Our Time
Alexander Pope
Robinson Crusoe
The South Sea Bubble
The Siege of Vienna 1683
George was musical and the music of Handel appealed to him. Here is some of the music played on the day
Steffani’s Henrico Leone March composed for George’s parents
Handel’s Te Deum played to welcome George in 1714
Jacobite Song from the 15 Cam ye o’er frae France
The Water Music Hornpipe
March from Scipione
A revised Timeline
The Slides from 2020
Apart from the pieces already included above, here is the music referred to in the Music Slides
Steffani Henrico Leone Overture
Croft The Lord is s Sun and a Shield for the Coronation
Handel Water Music Hornpipe and Andante
Geminiani Sleepy Body
Aria from Handel’s Rinaldo
Handel Harmonious Blacksmith
Pills to Purge the Melancholy
Thomas D’Urfey Sometimes I am a Tapster New
John Eccles A Soldier and a Sailor
William Croft I Hate a Fop
Aria from Handel’s Radamisto
Aria by Bononcini from Muzio Scevola Act 2
Aria by Handel from Muzio Scevola Act 3
Aria from Bononcini’s Crispo
Maurice Greene The King Shall Rejoice
Maurice Greene O Clap Your Hands Together
William Croft Man That Is Born Of A Woman from the Duke of Marlborough’s funeral
March from Handel’s Floridante
Aria from Handel’s Ottone
Aria from Ariosti’s Vespasiano
Steffani Stabat Mater
Aria from Handel’s Rodelinda
Aria from Ariosti’s Dario
Aria from Handel’s Giulio Cesare