Anne Stuart

Anne Stuart was the last monarch of the House of Stuart and the first sovereign of Great Britain. She was born on 6 February 1665 at St James's Palace, London, the second daughter of James, Duke of York (later King James II) and his first wife, Anne Hyde. She was raised as an Anglican along with her elder sister Mary, despite their father's conversion to Catholicism. Anne married Prince George of Denmark in 1683 and had a close and affectionate relationship with him. They had 18 children, but only one survived infancy: Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, who died at the age of 11 in 1700. Anne suffered from poor health throughout her life, especially from gout and obesity. Anne became queen upon the death of King William III on 8 March 1702, and was immediately popular. She favoured moderate Tory politicians, who shared her Anglican views and supported her prerogative. She also maintained a close friendship with Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, who wielded considerable influence over her as her mistress of the robes and groom of the stole. However, their relationship deteriorated over political and personal differences, and Anne eventually replaced Sarah with Abigail Masham, a cousin of Sarah's. Anne's reign was marked by the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), a conflict that pitted Britain and its allies against France and Spain over the succession to the Spanish throne. Anne's forces achieved several victories under the command of John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough (Sarah's husband), such as the battles of Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet. The war also saw the emergence of Britain as a naval power, with victories at Vigo Bay, Gibraltar, and Malaga. One of Anne's most significant achievements was the Acts of Union 1707, which united England and Scotland into a single kingdom called Great Britain. The union was motivated by the desire to secure the Protestant succession in both countries, as well as to enhance their economic and military strength. Anne was crowned as Queen of Great Britain on 1 May 1707 at Westminster Abbey. Anne died on 1 August 1714 at Kensington Palace from erysipelas (a bacterial infection) and gout. She was buried at Westminster Abbey on 24 August. As she had no surviving children, she was succeeded by her second cousin George I of the House of Hanover, who was the closest Protestant heir under the Act of Settlement 1701. Anne is often regarded as a weak and indecisive ruler, who relied heavily on her ministers and favourites. However, some historians have reassessed her role and achievements in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. They have argued that Anne was an intelligent and conscientious monarch, who exercised her own judgement and authority in matters of state. They have also highlighted her contribution to the development of a stable two-party system, the growth of British commerce and empire, and the establishment of a united British nation.