Degree Name
MA (Master of Arts)
Program
History
Date of Award
5-2016
Committee Chair or Co-Chairs
John M. Rankin
Committee Members
William D. Burgess, Henry A. Antkiewicz
Abstract
This thesis examines the British monarchy in the eighteenth century and how the philosophy of Frederick, Prince of Wales, helped to shape that monarchy. The early Hanoverians were seen with contempt by many of their subjects, often being ridiculed as ignorant outsiders. They helped matters none by their indifference to Britain, its people, or its culture. Prince Frederick, George II’s eldest son, however, changed all of this. His philosophy on kingship, influenced by Henry, Viscount Bolingbroke’s work, The Patriot King, helped to change the perception of the Hanoverian dynasty. When Prince Frederick died in 1751 before he could take the throne, it was left up to his son, Prince George, to carry out Frederick’s vision. As George III, he fulfilled the philosophy and became the embodiment of the patriot king. This resulted in a surge in popularity for the Hanoverians, solidifying their place on the British throne.
Document Type
Thesis - unrestricted
Recommended Citation
Hilton, Austin W. B., "King Fred: How the British King Who Never Was Shaped the Modern Monarchy" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 3064. https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/3064
Copyright
Copyright by the authors.