Anne, Queen of Great Britain (d. 1714)

Queen Anne, born on 6 February 1665, ascended to the thrones of England, Scotland, and Ireland on 8 March 1702. Her reign marked a pivotal moment in British history, most notably the legislative union of England and Scotland. On 1 May 1707, through the Acts of Union, these two ancient kingdoms were united to form a single sovereign state known as Great Britain. Anne continued her reign as the first monarch of Great Britain and Ireland until her death on 1 August 1714.

Anne's early life was shaped by the political and religious turmoil of the late 17th century. She was born during the reign of her uncle, King Charles II, to his younger brother and heir presumptive, James, Duke of York. James's conversion to Roman Catholicism was a source of significant anxiety and unpopularity in a predominantly Protestant England, which deeply feared a return to absolutist rule and Catholic dominance, reminiscent of the reign of Mary I. Despite her father's faith, Anne and her elder sister, Mary, were raised as Anglicans under the direct instructions of King Charles II. This Protestant upbringing was crucial for their dynastic legitimacy in the eyes of the English Parliament and populace. Mary married their Dutch Protestant cousin, William III of Orange, in 1677, a strategic alliance against Catholic France, while Anne herself married Prince George of Denmark in 1683, further cementing Protestant alliances.

Upon Charles II's death in 1685, James succeeded to the throne as James II. However, his attempts to promote Catholicism and assert royal prerogative led to widespread opposition. Just three years later, he was deposed in the bloodless yet revolutionary events of the Glorious Revolution of 1688. This seminal event established the principle of parliamentary supremacy and secured a Protestant succession. Mary and William became joint monarchs, reigning as William III and Mary II. While Anne and Mary had been close sisters, their relationship soured shortly after Mary's accession. Disagreements arose over Anne's financial independence, her status within the court, and her choice of friends, particularly her close ties to the powerful Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. These tensions eventually led to their estrangement. William and Mary had no surviving children, which meant that upon Mary's death in 1694, William reigned alone until his own death in 1702. It was then that Anne, as the next in the Protestant line of succession, ascended to the throne.

Political Landscape During Anne's Reign

Anne's reign was characterized by intense political rivalry, particularly between the two dominant factions: the Tories and the Whigs. Anne herself was a staunch supporter of the Church of England and generally favored moderate Tory politicians, who tended to align more closely with her Anglican religious views and represented the interests of the landed gentry and the traditional Anglican establishment. In contrast, the Whigs, who drew support from dissenting Protestants, commercial interests, and advocated for a stronger Parliament, often found themselves at odds with the Queen's preferences. The War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), a major European conflict often known in North America as Queen Anne's War, dominated much of her reign. The Whigs, strong proponents of the war, grew more powerful as the conflict progressed, advocating for a vigorous prosecution of the war against France to prevent the Bourbon consolidation of power in Europe. However, public sentiment eventually turned against the immense cost and duration of the war. By 1710, Anne, increasingly weary of the Whigs' influence and their insistence on continuing the costly war, dismissed many of them from office, bringing the Tories back into prominence.

A significant personal and political drama of Anne's reign involved her close friendship with Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough. Sarah, a lifelong companion from childhood, had wielded immense influence over Anne, often acting as her confidante and a powerful political intermediary. However, their relationship deteriorated due to growing political differences—Sarah's strong Whig sympathies clashed with Anne's shift towards the Tories—and personality clashes, exacerbated by Sarah's often imperious and demanding nature. The Duchess took revenge for her perceived slights by penning a highly unflattering description of the Queen in her memoirs, which portrayed Anne as weak-willed and easily manipulated. For a long time, this biased account was widely accepted by historians. However, historical scholarship in the late 20th century, notably by figures like Edward Gregg, reassessed Anne's character and reign, presenting her as a more intelligent, diligent, and strong-willed monarch who was deeply committed to her duties, rather than merely a figurehead controlled by her favorites.

Health Challenges and the Succession Crisis

Queen Anne endured a lifetime of significant ill health. From her thirties, she suffered from increasingly debilitating conditions, including severe gout, which often confined her to a wheelchair, and later, likely dropsy (edema). Her increasing obesity also compounded her physical challenges. Despite these chronic ailments, Anne was known for her dedication to her duties, often attending parliamentary debates and council meetings, though her physical limitations sometimes necessitated reliance on her trusted advisors.

Perhaps the greatest personal tragedy of Anne's life, and a defining factor for the future of the British monarchy, was her inability to secure a surviving heir. Despite being pregnant an astonishing 17 times, she suffered numerous miscarriages, stillbirths, and died without any surviving issue. Her only child to survive infancy, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, lived to be only 11 years old, dying in 1700. This devastating loss underscored the urgent need for a clear Protestant succession. To prevent a Catholic monarch from ever again taking the throne, Parliament passed the Act of Settlement 1701. This critical piece of legislation stipulated that the crown would pass to Sophia of Hanover (granddaughter of James VI and I) and her Protestant descendants, explicitly excluding all Catholic claimants to the throne, even those with a closer bloodline. Consequently, upon Anne's death in 1714, the House of Stuart's direct line ended. She was succeeded by her second cousin, George I, Elector of Hanover, who was Sophia's son. This peaceful transition marked the beginning of the Hanoverian dynasty in Britain, a testament to Parliament's power in shaping the succession.

When did Anne become Queen?
Anne became Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland on March 8, 1702, following the death of her brother-in-law and cousin, William III.
What was the significance of the Acts of Union 1707?
The Acts of Union 1707 formally united the separate kingdoms of England and Scotland into a single sovereign state, the Kingdom of Great Britain, with a single Parliament. This legislative union, a cornerstone of modern British identity, also ensured a Protestant succession to the throne.
Why was the Glorious Revolution important for Anne's succession?
The Glorious Revolution of 1688 deposed Anne's Catholic father, James II, and established the principle of parliamentary sovereignty and a Protestant succession. This ensured that Anne, as a Protestant, remained in the line of succession after William and Mary.
Who succeeded Queen Anne?
Queen Anne was succeeded by her second cousin, George I, Elector of Hanover, in accordance with the Act of Settlement 1701. He was chosen because he was the closest Protestant heir, ensuring the continuation of a Protestant monarchy in Great Britain.
What was Anne's relationship with Sarah Churchill like?
Anne and Sarah Churchill (Duchess of Marlborough) shared a deeply intimate friendship from childhood, with Sarah acting as a trusted confidante and influential figure. However, their relationship deteriorated due to political differences (Sarah's strong Whig views versus Anne's Tory leanings) and personality clashes, leading to an acrimonious split that profoundly affected both women and the court.
Why was the Act of Settlement 1701 passed?
The Act of Settlement 1701 was passed to guarantee a Protestant succession to the English (and later British) throne. It explicitly excluded all Catholic claimants, including many with closer blood ties to the reigning monarch, after the death of Anne's last surviving child, to prevent any return to a Catholic monarchy like that of James II.