The long reign of George III (1760-1820) is one of the transforming periods of British history. Until his final descent into madness, the king played an important role in politics and culture, and in this role, he was surrounded by influential and strong-minded women - his mother, his wife, his sister, his daughters, his daughter-in-law and his granddaughter. A study of the lives of these Hanoverian princesses provides fresh insights into court culture, gender politics and European marriage diplomacy.
Course aim
To provide an introduction to the politics and culture of the court of George III by studying the lives of the principal women in his life.
Do I need any particular skills or experience?
- This course is for beginners and improvers
- This course is open for all with an interest in the period.
By the end of the course I should be able to:
- show a basic knowledge of the lives of the Hanoverian princesses
- recognise the importance of politics both in the court and in the wider British and European context
- explain the role played by marriage diplomacy in the politics of the period
- discuss the importance of gender as a constraining factor in the lives of the Hanoverian princesses
What else do I need to know?
You will need an internet connection, speakers, a microphone and a webcam so that you can use our video learning platform, Zoom. You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas.
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