Kings of Georgian Britain by Catherine Curzon

Author:Catherine Curzon
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Published: 2017-04-05T04:00:00+00:00

Although Bute had thought Grenville was the best man for the job, George and the new prime minister did not get on, as the king found Grenville far too forceful. Behind the scenes, George attempted to indulge in some political moving and shaking with his old advisor. He petitioned Bute to approach the deposed Newcastle and even Pitt to ask whether they might be prevailed upon to join the ministry before Grenville had a chance to take office. Pitt was willing to assume a position but presented the king with a list of lofty demands that must be satisfied before he would agree once and for all. When no agreement could be reached, Grenville took office and he brought a condition of his own. Bute, Grenville demanded, must resign all of his political positions; it was a condition the king’s former mentor willingly fulfilled.

The relationship between Grenville and the king grew no easier and it soon weighed heavily on George. In fact, in 1765 he fell so ill that it was decided that plans for a regent must be drawn up, yet George refused to name a suitable candidate. Grenville, however, was convinced that George intended to choose Augusta as regent, thus handing the power behind the throne directly to her long-time confidante, Bute. This infighting caused George’s condition to worsen still further and he looked once again to Pitt and Newcastle, sure that a new prime minister could only improve matters. However, when Pitt continually refused to even discuss the possibility of taking office, George authorized his uncle, the Duke of Cumberland, to negotiate with Newcastle. Until his death in 1765 Cumberland would prove a valuable ally to his nephew and he approached Newcastle with an eye to finally ridding government of the troublesome Grenville.

Thankfully, Newcastle agreed to intervene and in 1765 Grenville was dismissed in favour of Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham.21 As part of the deal he had brokered, Newcastle would become Lord Privy Seal and though George might have heaved a sigh of relief, it was to be short-lived.

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