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George III Quotes

George III
  • Mini Bio
  • Name: George William Frederick
  • Born: 4th June 1738, Norfolk House, St. James's Square, London
  • Died: 29th January 1820, Windsor Castle, Windsor, Berkshire
  • Resting place: St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
  • Coronation: 22nd September 1761
  • Reign: 25th October 1760 – 29th January 1820
  • Occupation: Monarch, King of Great Britain and King of Ireland
  • Famous for: Meddling in parliamentary affairs, bouts of insanity and a reign that was marked by many wars on both sides of the Atlantic

"Vigorous measures appear to be the only means left of bringing the Americans to a due submission to the mother country, the colonies will submit"

George III

"I have always said, as I say now, that I would be the first to meet the friendship of the United States as an independent power"

George III

"I wish nothing but good; therefore, everyone who does not agree with me is a traitor and a scoundrel"

George III

"We are here in daily expectation that Bonaparte will attempt his threatened invasion ... Should his troops effect a landing, I shall certainly put myself at the head of mine, and my other armed subjects, to repel them"

George III

"When the unhappy and deluded multitude, against whom this force will be directed, shall become sensible of their error, I shall be ready to receive the misled with tenderness and mercy"

George III

"The tongue of malice may not paint my intentions in those colours she admires, nor the sycophant extol me beyond what I deserve"

George III

"I am born for the happiness or misery of a great nation, and consequently must often act contrary to my passions"

George III

"The die is now cast; the colonies must either submit or triumph.... we must not retreat"

George III

"We are determined to listen to nothing from the illegal congress"

George III

"Born and educated in this country, I glory in the name of Britain"

George III

"One tax to keep up the right to levy taxes"

George III
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George III Biography

Born George William Frederick in 1738 he was to become George III by the age of 22 and he sat on the throne of Great Britain for 59 years in total making him up to that time the longest reigning monarch in Britains history.

George reigned through turbulent times having to deal with the American Revolutionary War on one side of the Atlantic with the persistently troublesome French causing problems through the seven years war right up to the Napoleonic wars on the European side of the pond.

His loyalty to the crown was never in question and even though he was also prince-elector of Hanover and eventually became the King of Hanover he always swore his allegiance to Britain above everything.

Losing the Americas troubled him for many years although diplomacy saw that he accordantly accepted that fate, however his victories in the European theatres of war made it all the more bearable.

His later years were marred with bouts of insanity interspersed with fleeting moments of clarity of thought, he died in Windsor castle in 1820 and his tumultuous reign had finally come to an end.

His reign of 59 years and 96 days was longer than any of his predecessors, however both Victoria and Elizabeth II have since reigned for longer making him the third longest reigning monarch in Great Britains history

In his insistence to be involved in the politics of the day he came out with some majestic speeches and great one liners, so here is my compilation of 11 of the best George III quotes.

Quotes About George III

Winston Churchill cut to the chase wth his appraisal: "The personality of George III was now exercising a preponderant influence upon events. He was one of the most conscientious sovereigns who ever sat upon the English throne. Simple in his tastes and unpretentious in manner, he had the superficial appearance of a typical yeoman. But his mind was Hanoverian, with an infinite capacity for mastering main principles. He possessed great moral courage and an inveterate obstinacy, and his stubbornness lent weight to the stiffening attitude of his Government. His responsibility for the final breach is a high one"

Churchill went on to say: "Not all the Opposition Members were so foolish or extreme, but in the King's mind all were traitors. George III grew stubborn and even more intent. He closed his ears to moderate counsel and refused to admit into his Government those men of both parties who, like many American Loyalists, foresaw and condemned the disasters into which his policy was tottering and were horrified at the civil war between the Mother Country and her colonies"

Professor Peter Thomas was more sympathetic and insinuated he was not pivotal in the war of independence: "George's hopes were centred on a political solution, and he always bowed to his cabinet's opinions even when sceptical of their success. The detailed evidence of the years from 1763 to 1775 tends to exonerate George III from any real responsibility for the American Revolution"

The colonies declaration of independence in July 1776 was not so kind towards his rule: "He has abdicated Government here ... He has plundered our seas, ravaged our Coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people"


George III  image quote