A Comprehensive Biography of Britain's Sailor King, King William IV
Introduction
Known as the "Sailor King," King William IV was an unorthodox British king who reigned from 1830 to 1837. In contrast to his predecessors, he served in the Royal Navy for a considerable amount of time before suddenly taking the throne at the age of 64. His brief but impactful reign prepared the way for the Victorian era and established the foundation for fundamental democratic reforms. From his early years as a prince to his influence as a monarch, William IV's life is examined in this blog article.
Childhood and Naval Career
Birth and Family History
On August 21, 1765, William Henry was born at Buckingham House, which is today known as Buckingham Palace. He was King George III and Queen Charlotte's third son. William had more freedom as a young man than his older brothers, George (later George IV) and Frederick, because he was the third son and was never anticipated to become king.
Enlisting in the Royal Navy
William became the only British monarch to serve as a naval officer when he enlisted in the Royal Navy at the age of 13. Because of his time at sea, he was known as the "Sailor King." Serving under Admiral Lord Nelson, who subsequently characterized him as an energetic young officer, he took part in the American War of Independence.
Caribbean Experiences and Naval Adventures
William had many trips during his naval career, including to Gibraltar, North America, and the Caribbean. When American revolutionaries planned to abduct him in the Caribbean in 1781, he even escaped an attempted assassination.
Retirement and Promotion
William rose to the rank of Rear Admiral by 1790, but as Britain headed toward peace, his active naval career came to an end. King George III, his father, was afraid that William's close ties to radical naval officers would endanger the monarchy, therefore he declined to appoint him Admiral of the Fleet.
Relationships and Personal Lives
Children and Controversial Romance
William was renowned for his colorful personal life, in contrast to his father, King George III, who was noted for his moral strictness. The FitzClarences are his ten illegitimate children from a long-term relationship with actress Dorothea Jordan.
Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen's marriage
William married a German princess named Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen in 1818 as a result of pressure from his family. Despite their affectionate bond, tragedy marred their marriage because all of their children passed away at birth or during infancy.
Taking the throne
Unexpected Son
At the age of sixty-one, William succeeded to the throne as King George IV, his older brother, had no living legal offspring. William IV succeeded George IV as king in 1830.
A More Subdued King
William IV was renowned for his simplicity and grounded nature, in contrast to his ostentatious brother. He favored a less formal court and frequently strolled the streets unaccompanied. The British populace, who viewed him as a welcome diversion from George IV's extravagant expenditures, embraced him as a result.
Important Occurrences and Reforms Under His Rule
William IV ruled for just seven years, but his reign had a significant impact on the development of modern-day Britain.
The 1832 Great Reform Act
The enactment of the Reform Act of 1832, which revolutionized British politics, was one of the most important moments of William IV's tenure. The action:
extended the middle class's right to vote
diminished the influence of the "rotten boroughs," which had long been dominated by affluent elites.
increased the impact of Birmingham and Manchester, two industrial cities.
Despite his early opposition to the act, William later played a crucial role in its passing by threatening to appoint additional House of Lords peers who supported reform.
Slavery was abolished in 1833.
Slavery was gradually abolished throughout the British Empire during William IV's reign thanks to the Slavery Abolition Act of 1833. Despite his personal ties to the slave trade through his family, this historic law was finally passed by his government.
The British Empire's reforms
Britain kept growing its power in Canada, Australia, and India throughout his rule. His administration enacted new laws to improve colonial governance, especially in India, where the power of the British East India Company was questioned.
Death and Later Years
Reduction in Health
William IV's health started to deteriorate by 1836. He still continued to be involved in government matters until his last days. In order to keep Princess Victoria from ascending to the throne too soon, he was resolved to outlast her. But he died at Windsor Castle on June 20, 1837, one month before Victoria turned eighteen.
Legacy and Succession
The Hanoverian male line in Britain came to an end with the death of William IV. The Victorian era began when his niece, Queen Victoria, replaced him. Despite having a brief reign, William IV was instrumental in establishing the constitutional monarchy that characterized 19th-century British governance.
An FAQ about King William IV can be found here:
King William IV was who?
From 1830 until his death in 1837, King William IV (1765–1837) ruled over Hanover and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland. He was King George III's third son and King George IV's younger brother.
William IV became king when?
Following the passing of his older brother, King George IV, on June 26, 1830, he assumed the throne.
What made him known as the "Sailor King"?
William IV had a lengthy career in the Royal Navy before to becoming king, serving in the American Revolutionary War and eventually rising to the rank of admiral.
Were there any children born to William IV?
Sure, but none of them were real. With actress Dorothea Jordan, his lifelong mistress, he had at least ten children. They were unable to assume the throne, though, because they were illegitimate. Later on, he wed Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen, but their kids passed away at a young age.
Who was William IV's successor?
Since he had no living legitimate successors, his niece, Queen Victoria, succeeded him after his death on June 20, 1837.