Figure 1.--.
|
Figure 1.--. |
William IV is an almost forgotten king in English history. He ruled briefly and there was no war furing his reign which was sanwiched between the buch better known reigns of George IV and Victoria. William was the eldest surviving brother of George IV. I have no information yet on his boyhood. He married Adelaide, daughter of the Grand Duke of Saxe-Meininghen. They had two children, whom both died as infants. William spent many years at sea, commanding ships and later became the Admiral of the Fleet. Before succeeding to the throne, he had a mistress in Dorothea Jordan, or otherwise known as Dorothy Bland, who was a popular actress of the day. They settled down together and had 10 children. When William's allowance was low, which was frequent as it was a meagre one, Dorothy would put on her grease-paint and take to the stage, once again, to raise cash. After 20 years, William realised that he was no longer in love with her and paid Mrs. Jordan a pension in order to release himself for a marriage of wealth. The seeking of this marriage took 7 years and Mrs. Jordan died of a broken heart in those years. William eventually found Princess Adelaide, she brought no dowry, only a promise that she would look after his illegitimate children. Princess Adelaide was a good hearted and kind woman. At this stage William was only third in line to the throne, but with the death of Frederick Duke of York, he became heir. He was 65 years old when he was crowned King. William IV ruled from 1830-37. Nobody expected much of him and he was referred to him as "silly Billy". Britons hoped that he would be easier to respect than his hated brother. He did some good for British politics by creating enough Whig Peers to force the Great Reform Bill through the Tory House of Lords. He died at the age of 71.
William's father was King Geortge III. The King ruled from 1760-1820, presiding over theloss of Britain's American colonies. George III was actually George II's grandson, because The Prince Of Wales, George II's son, died before he ascended to the throne. George's aim was to rule as well as reign, and he was a skillfuland astute politician. HBC has little information on George III as a father. The references we have noted indicate that the King shower little interest in the childre. He basically neglected the children.
George III fell in love with Sarah Lennox, a descendent of Charles II, but the Earl of Bute persuaded him to bring the relationship to and end and instead arranged
for him to marry a German princess, Charlotte of Mecklenberg-Strelitz. During
their marriage Queen Charlotte gave birth to an amazing 15 children. It may indeed seem strange for an English monarch to marry a German woman, but there were multiple reasons. The first was that if George married someone from another kingdom, he would improve relations with that kingdom, and possibly gain more power. The second was that in fact George himself was partially German. George III was actually the first member of his family who was not more German than English.
George III by some accounts was a loving father. Others say he showed little interest in them. He certainly had ample opportunity to hone his parenting skills. He had 15 children! Two of the children, George IV as well as William IV would be their father's successor. William was the eldest surviving son of George III. I have no information at this time on how William got on with his many brothers and sisters, including elder brother George IV.
I have no information yet on his boyhood.
The children when young, both boys and girls wore dresses that were indistyinguishable in design. Older boys wore blouses and shirts with wide open collars. The Duke of Windsor as a boy used to envy thechildren of George III. A painting of the children by Gaindsborough showing them comfortable open collars hung in Windsor Castle. We have no information specifically about William's Childood clothes.
William spent many years at sea, commanding ships and later became the Admiral of the Fleet.
Before succeeding to the throne, he had a mistress in Dorothea Jordan, or otherwise known as Dorothy Bland, who was a popular actress of the day. They settled down together and had 10 children. When William's allowance was low, which was frequent as it was a meagre one, Dorothy would put on her grease-paint and take to the stage, once again, to raise cash. After 20 years, William realised that he was no longer in love with her and paid Mrs. Jordan a pension in order to release himself for a marriage of wealth. The seeking of this marriage took 7 years and Mrs. Jordan died of a broken heart in those years.
William eventually found Princess Adelaide, daughter of the Grand Duke of Saxe-Meininghen. She brought no dowry, only a promise that she would look after his illegitimate children. They had two children, whom both died as infants. Princess Adelaide was a good hearted and kind woman. When they married, William was only third in line to the throne, but with the death of Frederick Duke of York, he became heir.
William was one of several English kings, like George V and VI, was was not expected to be king. When William's older brother, George IV, died without an heir, it was William, who became king in 1830.
William was 65 years old when he was crowned in 1830. William IV ruled from 1830-37. Nobody expected much of him and he was referred to him as "silly Billy". Britons hoped that he would be easier to respect than his hated brother. He did some good for British politics by creating enough Whig Peers to force the Great Reform Bill through the Tory House of Lords. He died at the age of 71.
William like his brother died without an heir. There was no lack of effort in this area, as he in fact had 10 illegitimate children with Mrs. Jordan. Both daughters, born with Queen Adelaide had died in infancy. He was also the last surviving son of King George III. This included the Duke of Kent. This left his daughter, Princess Victoria, next in line to the throne.
I do not know the relationship between William and his older brother, the Duke of Kent. Well known, however, is William's relationship with his wife and Princess Victoria's mother, the Duchess of Kent. The Duchess's father was Duke Francis Frederick of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld (1750- ). Her mother was Countess Augusta Caroline Sophia of Reuss Ebersdorf (1757- ). She had been married before in 1803 to Prince Emich Karl of Leiningen. They had two children, Prince Charles Frederick William (1804- ) and Princess Anne Feodora Augusta (1807- ). After the death of her first husband, she married Edward Augustus, Duke of Kent and son of George III, in 1818 at Kew Palace. Their only child was the Princess Victoria (1819- ). A king, William IV was not in good health. Some were concerned that he would die before Princess Victoria becme 18 years of age. This would require a regency. Victoria's mother wanted to be regent and campaigned to have herself appointed. After a long debate, Parliament approved the Regency Bill, appointing the Duchess "Regent in case of need."
King William despised the Duchess. I'm not sure when this animosity originated. Certainly her active campaign to be appointed Regent in the advent of William's death did not improve matters. Nor did her ignoring his expressed orders and moving into a suite of 17 rooms at Kensington Pallace improve matters. The feud between the two broke into the open at a celebration of the King's birthday. William's birthday banquet in 1836 included 100 guests, some of the most impoprtant peole in the realm. He sat at the head of tghe table. The Duchess to his right hand and Princess Victoria on his lefy hand. Following tghe meal, the King's health was toasted. This then called for a speech by the King. He made it a memorable one for all present. William proceeded to vigorously lambaste the Duchess in front of he daughter and the assembled peers of the realm. He called her impertinent and accused her of neglecting Princess Victoria. He touched on much more. The Duchess had not expected this as she was filled with her own importance as possible regent. Princess Victoria was left in tears. The King continued on and on. Finally he ended with with a prayer that he be allowed to live for just 6 months until Princess Victoria wreached majority in May and the Duchess would no become Regent. This in fact proved to be the case. William held a ball at St. James' Palace in May 1837 to celebrate the Princess's 18th birthday. He was to sick, however, to attend.
King William IV died on June 20, 1837. Princess Victoria became Queen and began the longest and most storied reign in English history. Like her uncle, she had her own difficulties with her mother. he relationship was only put right after considerable effort by her soon to be hisband, Prince Albert.
Navigate the Boys' Historical Clothing Web Site royal pages:
[Return to the main Main English royalty page]
[Belgium]
[Bulgaria]
[France]
[German states]
[Germany]
[Italy]
[Japan]
[Jordon]
[Luxemburg]
[Monaco]
[Netherlands]
[Norway]
[Romania]
[Russia]
[Spain]
[Yugoslavia]