CAROLINE (of Ansbach, 1683-1737, Queen of George II), Sir Robert WALPOLE (Sir Robert, 1st Earl of Orford, 1676-1745, 1st British Prime Minister)Sir George OXENDEN (5th Baronet, 1694-1775, Lord of the Treasury) and William CLAYTON (1671-1752, afterwards Baron Sundon, whose wife controlled much of George II's court patronage)

Unusual signature "Caroline R C R" as Regent taken from the upper margin of a Treasury Warrant together with the separated lower right hand corner of the same document signed "By her Majesty's Command" by Walpole and the two Lords of the Treasury, 9" x 2" and 6" x 4½", no place, 12th September

Caroline became queen consort on the death of her father-in-law in 1727, and she was crowned alongside her husband at Westminster Abbey. She was the first queen consort to be crowned since Anne of Denmark in 1603. The couple retained Walpole as the leading minister. Walpole secured a civil list payment of £100,000 a year for Caroline, and she was given both Somerset House and Richmond Lodge. Caroline had immense influence. She persuaded the King to adopt policies at the behest of Walpole, and persuaded Walpole against taking inflammatory actions.
Over the next few years, she and her husband fought a constant battle against their eldest son, Frederick, Prince of Wales, who had been left behind in Germany when they came to England. He joined the family in 1728, by which time he was an adult, had mistresses and debts, and was fond of gambling and practical jokes. He opposed his father's political beliefs, and complained of his lack of influence in government. The Regency Act of 1728 made Caroline rather than Frederick regent when her husband was absent on four separate occasions.

Item Date:  1732

Stock No:  39700      £475

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