George II

Previous king: George I (father)       Reigned: 1727-1760       Next king: George III (grandson)

George II Bonnie Prince Charlie The composer Handel wrote Zadok the Priest for the coronation of George II and it has been used at every coronation since. George II was the last British king to personally lead his troops into battle (in the War of the Austrian Succession). He is also the last British king to be born outside Great Britain.

The Jacobites wanted Charles Edward Stuart (the grandson of James II) to be king. Charles was know as Bonnie Prince Charlie. He landed in Scotland in 1745, and led a Scottish army into England, where they got as far as Derby. But hearing of armies opposing them, they retreated into Scotland, where they fought the Battle of Culloden in 1746. This was the last battle fought on the British mainland. The Jacobites lost, and Charles fled back to France. The Jacobites were harshly treated with many killed, executed or transported to the colonies.

Houses in the reigns of George II and George III were built in a classical style, such as the Circus in Bath (see right). They are called Georgian. The Circus, in Bath The British National Anthem, God Save the King (or Queen) was written in George's reign.

God save our gracious King!
Long live our noble King!
God save the King!
Send him victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the King.

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