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Kings and Queens of England
The Life and Times of William IV
Dust jacket in fair condition. Pages slightly yellowed.Hardback, ex-library, with usual stamps and markings, in fair all round condition, suitable as a reading copy.
223 pages, Hardcover
First published October 16, 1980
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About the author
Anne Somerset
11 books75 followersAnne Somerset (1955-) English art historian and author.
Somerset’s biography of England’s last Stuart monarch, entitled Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion was awarded the 2013 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography.
Until his death in 2011, Anne Somerset was married to the artist Matthew Carr. Lady Anne Somerset is the daughter of the 11th Duke of Beaufort.
Somerset’s biography of England’s last Stuart monarch, entitled Queen Anne: The Politics of Passion was awarded the 2013 Elizabeth Longford Prize for Historical Biography.
Until his death in 2011, Anne Somerset was married to the artist Matthew Carr. Lady Anne Somerset is the daughter of the 11th Duke of Beaufort.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 26, 2022
I went into reading this with zero knowledge of William IV but wow what an interesting character overall.
A naval career, very much dabbling in the politics and holding strong opinions of the day, his famous affairs, most notably that of his one with the actress Dorothea Jordan and his many illegitimate children.
Subsequently having two legitimate daughters by his wife, Queen Adelaide.
His hatred of his sister in law, the Duchess of Kent who barred him from having a close, family relationship with his niece, the Princess Victoria.
But he seemed overall to care about reform and the state of the country.
I'm by no means any kind of expert on him but I know a lot more about the man and his life after reading this book, very informative, not at all bogged down with heavy, dull detail and enhanced throughout with etchings, sketches, paintings so they made for a lovely illustration to highlight his reign.
Great non fic read.
A naval career, very much dabbling in the politics and holding strong opinions of the day, his famous affairs, most notably that of his one with the actress Dorothea Jordan and his many illegitimate children.
Subsequently having two legitimate daughters by his wife, Queen Adelaide.
His hatred of his sister in law, the Duchess of Kent who barred him from having a close, family relationship with his niece, the Princess Victoria.
But he seemed overall to care about reform and the state of the country.
I'm by no means any kind of expert on him but I know a lot more about the man and his life after reading this book, very informative, not at all bogged down with heavy, dull detail and enhanced throughout with etchings, sketches, paintings so they made for a lovely illustration to highlight his reign.
Great non fic read.
February 22, 2023
I know very little about this little known king. I was of the impression that he was the last of the two brother kings who brought the British monarchy to its lowest ebb perhaps of all time.
Somerset paints rather a different picture. While no one quibbles with how unlamented William’s grotesque brother George IV was in death, she demonstrates that William IV was a quite well meaning and diligent king.
She also makes clear that the Hanoverian propensity for (at a minimum) mild psychosis and insanity did not escape William, he had enough good qualities to make most people see his as more good than bad.
His low point was while still heir being a vociferous proponent of the benefits of slavery (for the slaves…he said with a straight face). He also came to fight the Great Reform Bill of 1832, before ultimately doing his duty and going along with his ministers.
By far his best moment was the absolutely ripping speech he gave several months before his death, in which he shredded his sister-in-law (the future Queen Victoria’s mother) for her lack of respect for him and her keeping Victoria from him. Bravo Willy!!
Somerset paints rather a different picture. While no one quibbles with how unlamented William’s grotesque brother George IV was in death, she demonstrates that William IV was a quite well meaning and diligent king.
She also makes clear that the Hanoverian propensity for (at a minimum) mild psychosis and insanity did not escape William, he had enough good qualities to make most people see his as more good than bad.
His low point was while still heir being a vociferous proponent of the benefits of slavery (for the slaves…he said with a straight face). He also came to fight the Great Reform Bill of 1832, before ultimately doing his duty and going along with his ministers.
By far his best moment was the absolutely ripping speech he gave several months before his death, in which he shredded his sister-in-law (the future Queen Victoria’s mother) for her lack of respect for him and her keeping Victoria from him. Bravo Willy!!
March 5, 2023
This is an interesting well-illustrated edition in the series "The Life and Times of..." in this case of a king who seems to have escaped the scale and depth of attention lavished on many other monarchs. This is possibly due to William's limited time as king (7 years or so) but he was head of state during a crucial period in the constitution including the 1832 Great Reform Act.
Anne Somerset sees a lot of positives about William who succeeded to the throne at a difficult time with the monarchy at a particularly low ebb following the controversial reign of George IV and the fits of madness of George IV. In William's seven years as king Anne Somerset portrays William's geniality and (mostly) good humour and considers that William had restored the monarchy to public affection if not public veneration.
Personally, I found the first half of the book well written but a less than flattering expose of the political leaders of the country and William as a man with little comprehension of the lot of the common man. Upon taking the throne, however, William took to the task with considerate energy and no little skill. He displayed much intuition, and guile in dealing with many of the shallow political heavyweights of the times. His devotion to his job as king, and his family, come through strongly in the second half of the book. A king who deserves to be more well known.
Anne Somerset sees a lot of positives about William who succeeded to the throne at a difficult time with the monarchy at a particularly low ebb following the controversial reign of George IV and the fits of madness of George IV. In William's seven years as king Anne Somerset portrays William's geniality and (mostly) good humour and considers that William had restored the monarchy to public affection if not public veneration.
Personally, I found the first half of the book well written but a less than flattering expose of the political leaders of the country and William as a man with little comprehension of the lot of the common man. Upon taking the throne, however, William took to the task with considerate energy and no little skill. He displayed much intuition, and guile in dealing with many of the shallow political heavyweights of the times. His devotion to his job as king, and his family, come through strongly in the second half of the book. A king who deserves to be more well known.
March 19, 2023
An interesting read into the sometimes chaotic life of William IV, how he made the monarchy popular again and wanted to hold on until Victoria was old enough to be queen without a regent
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews