Ever wondered why so many British pubs bear the name King William IV? He wasn’t just a monarch. He was the “Sailor King”. Today, we are standing in London, ready to delve into the story of King William IV.
King William IV, born William Henry in 1765, unexpectedly ascended the throne in 1830. He ruled the United Kingdom and Hanover. He was the third son of George III, never expected to be king. His two elder brothers died without legitimate children. This twist of fate made him the last of Britain’s House of Hanover.
Before becoming king, William served in the Royal Navy. This earned him the nickname “Sailor King”. He spent time in British North America and the Caribbean. His naval career was no walk in the park. He experienced drunken brawls and even had a kidnapping plot approved by George Washington himself.
In 1789, William became the Duke of Clarence and St Andrews. He lived with actress Dorothea Jordan for 20 years. They had ten illegitimate children. In 1818, he married Princess Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen.
William became king at the age of 64. He succeeded his brother George IV. Unlike his brother, William was unassuming. He discouraged pomp and ceremony. He was known to walk unaccompanied through London. People saw him as approachable.
His reign brought significant reforms. The Poor Law was updated. Child labor was restricted. Slavery was abolished in nearly all of the British Empire. The electoral system was refashioned by the Reform Act 1832. The Reform Crisis marked the rise of the House of Commons. It also marked the decline of the House of Lords. William was the last British monarch to appoint a prime minister against Parliament’s will.
William’s coronation was modest. He budgeted less than £30,000. His brother’s coronation had cost £240,000. Some Tories called it the “Half Crown-nation”. William retorted that there would be “greater convenience of room and less heat”.
He had a difficult relationship with his children. However, his daughters were an ornament to his court. William had a mixed relationship with Lord Melbourne.
William died in 1837. He had no surviving legitimate children. His niece Victoria succeeded him in the United Kingdom. His brother Ernest Augustus became king of Hanover. This ended the personal union of Britain and Hanover.
The 1830 Beerhouse Act liberalized beer brewing and sales. This led to a boom in pubs. Many pubs were named after him. King William IV is remembered for his reforms and his common touch. He helped save the crown for his successors.