4 - Transforming the Royal Image, 1702: Establishing Stuart-Oldenburg Kingship

Summary

Queen Anne inherited a host of political problems at her accession caused by the dynastic upheaval brought about by the Glorious Revolution and exacerbated by the subsequent deaths of important members of the Stuart dynasty. These included Anne's son and heir presumptive, William, Duke of Gloucester, who died in 1700, followed in 1701 by her father. The death of King Charles II of Spain in the same year as James II caused further problems. Political rifts in England were deepened by the deaths of Anne's son and father, and the demise of King Charles II triggered a dispute between Spain and France over the Spanish succession that precipitated a European war. Anne and George both rose to these challenges. George is often largely excluded from studies on this period of British history, yet the Stuart-Oldenburg marriage facilitated a far more nuanced presentation of Anne's queenship than is currently realised. This chapter and Chapter 5 will examine how the royal couple used ceremony and art – a vital part of their political armamentarium – to present their vision of English kingship in the years from when Anne acceded to the throne until Prince George of Denmark died (1702–8). Chapter 5 will consider the impact of war on Stuart-Oldenburg rule, but, as with Chapter 1 in relation to William and Mary, this chapter will follow the first year of Anne's reign chronologically. This format allows for a comparison with the crucial first year of Stuart-Orange rule and highlights the similarities and disparities in representational approach between the two royal houses. But before considering the main strategies Anne and George adopted, we need to examine in more detail the problems they faced at Anne's accession. Then a number of significant political moments that involved the same (or similar) ceremonies to the ones performed by William and Mary, or William alone, will be scrutinised. The Stuart-Oldenburg visual response as expressed through art will then be explored, focusing on materials produced by the Crown.

In 1701, almost a year after the death of William, Duke of Gloucester, the Act of Settlement had been passed to ensure a Protestant succession.