Ernst August II Of Hanover

Ernest Augustus (German: Ernst August), born on 5 June 1771 and died on 18 November 1851, was King of Hanover from 20 June 1837 until his death. He was the fifth son of King George III of the United Kingdom and Hanover and was born at Buckingham House in London. His early education and military training took place in Hanover, where he was sent during adolescence.

In 1799, he was granted the titles Duke of Cumberland and Teviotdale and Earl of Armagh by his father. Ernest served in the Hanoverian Army, receiving military training under Field Marshal Wilhelm von Freytag and participating in campaigns against Revolutionary France. During the War of the First Coalition, he served in the Low Countries and sustained facial and arm injuries in skirmishes near Tournai and at the Battle of Tourcoing in 1793 and 1794. After his injury, he returned to England for convalescence and engagement in political affairs.

In 1815, Ernest married Frederica of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, his first cousin and twice-widowed niece of Queen Charlotte. The marriage occurred in Germany after the death of Frederick William of Prussia, her second husband. The Queen opposed the marriage, and subsequently, the family tensions resulted in Frederica and Ernest residing primarily in Germany, especially Berlin, for several years. Ernest's position within the British royal family was complex; at various times, he was in the line of succession after Princess Charlotte's death in 1817, eventually becoming fourth in line following the death of George III.

He was a member of the House of Lords and held strong conservative views. In the early 19th century, allegations and rumors surrounded him, including accusations of violence and scandalous behavior, which contributed to his unpopularity. Notable incidents include the Sellis affair in 1810, where a valet, Joseph Sellis, died after attempting suicide and was believed by some to have been in conflict with Ernest, and political scandals related to election manipulations in Weymouth in 1813. Despite these controversies, Ernest achieved the rank of Field Marshal in the British Army in 1813.

Ernest's political stance was largely conservative; he opposed Catholic emancipation in Britain and Ireland and was involved in debates over parliamentary and religious issues. His political influence was limited, and he was often at odds with the government and public opinion.

In 1837, upon the death of King William IV, he became King of Hanover, a separate kingdom under Salic law, which prevented a woman from inheriting the throne. This ended the personal union between Britain and Hanover. His reign was marked by attempts to modernize Hanover, including urban development, support for infrastructure such as railways, and the issuance of a new constitution in response to unrest in 1848. The 1848 revolution caused minimal disturbances in Hanover, and reforms were enacted to liberalize governance.

His domestic issues included conflicts over the Hanoverian constitution, relations with the British monarchy, and disputes over royal Jewels with Queen Victoria. Ernest maintained a strong nationalistic stance and sought to preserve Hanover's independence amid rising Prussian influence, notably opposing the Prussian-led Zollverein trade union.

Ernest Augustus died on 18 November 1851 after a month-long illness. He was buried in Herrenhausen Gardens. A memorial includes a large equestrian statue in Hanover, and his influence in Hanover remains notable in local history. His titles included His Majesty The King of Hanover, and he received numerous honors from various European nations, including knighthoods and orders of merit.