‘Queen of the Radicals’?
Caroline of Brunswick – Queen Consort – ‘Queen of the Radicals’ – An Opportunity Missed?
Overview
An account of the enthusiastic reception Caroline received when she travelled through Kent in 1820 to contest George lV’s attempt to divorce her. By challenging her husband she gained support from women and those wanting radical changes to Parliament and the Monarchy. This blog covers aspect of Caroline’s return that are not covered in detail in more learned texts.
Context
1820, Caroline, Princess of Wales, returned from exile in Europe to assert her rights and position as the wife and Queen to George lV. The reception she received in Kent and from the communities she passed through en route to London, showed that she was a ‘People’s Princess’ – especially in the eyes of women – and not just those in Kent. Her return could have been a ‘call to arms’ for women to pursue equity in the eyes of the law.
“… if ever there was an occasion when the interference of females in political matters was excusable, nay, commendable, it is surely the present.”[1]
Setting the Scene
Early in the 1800s England was in a febrile state – many wanted political reforms, which the ruling classes resisted. There was a risk of a ‘French type’ revolution that could have overthrown the Monarchy. It was in 1819 that the ‘Peterloo Massacre’ at Manchester occurred. In 1820 Caroline, the Queen Consort, became a cause celebre for those wanting change.
George, then the Prince of Wales, married Caroline in 1795. After the birth of their first child, Charlotte, in 1796 – they separated.
The terms of their separation acknowledged they were not suited to each other by Nature, and, at the express wish of Caroline, it stated that she would not be obliged, in the event of Charlotte’s death, to engage in an act of a ‘particular nature’ to conceive another legitimate heir to the throne.[2] The marriage was clearly over.
In 1814, Caroline left Britain indefinitely to travel Europe. She subsequently set up home in Italy. Here she enjoyed an active social life and began an intimate relationship with her Italian valet.
In January 1820 George lll (Mad King George) died and George IV came to the throne. Automatically this made Caroline his Queen Consort. However, George refused to recognise Caroline as such and commanded British ambassadors to ensure that monarchs in foreign courts did the same. To try and avoid a scandal that could have destroyed the monarchy, the Government offered Caroline £50,000 a year to live abroad as a Duchess, but she dismissed the money as a bribe, and insisted on her right to be Queen.
The only solution for George IV was to obtain a divorce from Caroline if he wished to deprive her of the right to be crowned Queen, and if he wished to have a legitimate heir. His only child / heir, Charlotte, that he had with Caroline, had died in childbirth in November 1817. In order to begat a replacement he would need to remarry as he and Caroline had agreed not to be ‘intimate’ again should Charlotte die.
In order for George to be granted a divorce it would be necessary to show that Caroline had committed adultery; it would also require an Act of Parliament. George therefore instructed that a “Pains & Penalties Bill” be introduced to Parliament. Caroline decided to contest the divorce and returned to England in June 1820. George’s Government did its utmost to thwart and frustrate Caroline’s return. She and her supporters therefore had to make all the arrangements in respect of travel and accommodation; she was refused use of the Royal Yacht and was required to bring their own carriages across the Channel.[3]
In pursuing the option of divorcing Caroline, George had underestimated his unpopularity, and the extent of public support that his wife would receive – perhaps none greater than that shown by the people of Kent – particularly by women.
The following is based on newspaper reports of the time, and covers events that seem to have been skipped over by authors writing a history of the strained relationship between Caroline and George. What is missing is perhaps of little consequence unless one considers that they may have relied heavily on material contained in the Royal Archives. Could it be that the archivists of the time may have wanted to play-down the rapturous reception Caroline received when she progressed through Kent to London to contest the divorce?
Caroline Lands at Dover
At 1pm on 5 June 1820[4],[5] Caroline landed at Dover to be received by an enthusiastic crowd. It was estimated that 10,000 people assembled on the beach to welcome her. Guns were fired at the Western Heights and a Union Flag was hoisted at the Castle.
Such was the size of the crowd Caroline was compelled to take refuge in the York Hotel. On seeing that it would be impossible for her to reach the Ship Hotel, where she was to take refreshments, the proprietor, Mr. Wright, despatched a carriage & four [6] to the York Hotel to pick her up.
Caroline, Lady Hamilton and Alderman Wood, ascended the carriage only to find that the populace had unhitched the horses and were intent on drawing the carriage themselves. (This was a way to show respect and to pay tribute. The tradition of the Navy pulling the gun carriage carrying the coffin of a monarch started with Queen Victoria. This honour was also given to Sir Winston Church. At other state funerals such as for Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher, the gun-carriage was pulled by a team of horses.)
A band of musicians preceded the carriage along with some principal tradesmen who carried two large flags – one of which was of blue silk bearing the inscription of “God save Queen Caroline”.
Every window, roof, unoccupied coach, lamp post pillar, walls and rigging of different vessels in the harbour, were occupied by well dressed persons who kept cheering her the whole way. It was reported that “Her Majesty, with the most ineffable sweetness, condescendingly bowing to all, and shaking hands with those who could get near her.” On reaching the Ship Inn at around 5pm, the guns of the Castle fired a Royal Salute.[7]
As she approached the hotel it was observed that there was a Guard of Honour in place. However, on her arrival the order to was given to “take the soldiers away”. Some reports suggest this was a deliberate insult, but other suggest the soldiers, who represented the King’s authority, were provoking hostility by trying to remove weapons from some members of the crowd.[8]
Sensing the disquiet of the crowd about the soldiers’ presence or their withdrawal, Caroline rose in her carriage. As the crowd became silent she announced that she had no need of a guard as she was amongst friends.[9] The situation though was more complex than the news papers reported. The view of the Mayor was that the followers of Caroline were not benign but a mob. This may account for the use of ‘riot’ in some reports of Caroline’s arrival at Dover[10] – but I found no reference to ‘riot’ in newspapers of the time.
At 6pm a deputation of the inhabitants of Dover begged to be introduced to Caroline, stating that they were anxious to present to her an address expressive of their feelings on her arrival “in her own Kingdom”.
Caroline’s plan had been to reach Sittingbourne that night, were she would spend the night. However the demands placed on her to address the public and their approbation slowed her planned progress.
At 6:30pm Caroline left the Ship Hotel at Dover – 30 minutes later than planned. The progress though was slow. The road from Dover to Canterbury was crowded with people; “indeed the whole population of the latter” turned out to welcome Caroline[11]; she eventually arrived at Canterbury around 9pm.
Just as happens today pick-pockets took advantage of the crowds that assembled to greet Caroline. It was estimated that about £500 was stolen from the spectators at Dover – about £40,000 at todays rate.[12]
Arrival at Canterbury
It was nearly dark when Caroline reach Canterbury. Here she was greeted by 100 blazing torches and an immense number of the City’s inhabitants who had gathered along the Dover Road.[13] Again the horses were uncoupled from her carriage, and a multitude of people drew it along the main street to the Fountain Inn where she and her party were to spend the night as guests of the “indefatigable Mr & Mrs Wright who had prepared excellent accommodations”.[14] (The Fountain Inn was renamed the The Fountain Hotel in 1827, and later received the prefix ‘Royal’, located in St. Margaret’s Street. The hotel was destroyed in WW2.)
The route was lit by torchlight and the processions led by a band, whilst the Cathedral bells rang a merry peal.[15] Caroline’s coach was decorated with oak boughs[16] and two flags – one a blue silk flag proclaiming “Good Save Queen Caroline”. The other was a purple silk flag bearing the Royal Arms. On arriving at the Fountain Inn the pressure of the crowd made it difficult for her to alight from her carriage. The “assembled thousands” were delighted when Caroline addressed them from the window of her apartment.
IMAGE Fountain Inn
On thanking the Corporation for her welcome she said that should it ever be within her power she would be pleased to do anything for the “good town of Canterbury”, in recognition of its loyalty to the House of Brunswick.
Members of the Corporation were introduced to Caroline and “had the honour of kissing her Majesty’s hand.” Several ladies who witnessed the reception then had the opportunity to converse with Caroline – and to also kiss her hand.
On retiring for the night Caroline stated her intention was to leave at 10am to continue her journey to the Metropolis – even though no accommodation was to be provided for her by George or the Government.
At half-past ten on Tuesday (6th June) morning Caroline left Canterbury. Despite the continuous rain a crowd of well-dressed persons had gathered to cheer her on her way. Again the people would not permit the horses to be put to the carriage, and insisted on drawing Caroline’s carriage completely through the town; every coach in Caroline’s cavalcade was distinguished by some mark of popular approbation.
From the windows on each side of the street, flags bearing appropriate devices were displayed, and the ladies were seen waving their handkerchiefs, and joining in the general exclamations of Long live our gracious Queen!’, Long live Queen Caroline!’ etc. Caroline in return waved her handkerchief, and cried, ‘Long live King George the Fourth.’ (This could have been as much about avoiding a charge of treason, as showing loyalty.)
As she left the City for Sittingbourne she was accompanied by a great many young Officers of the Cavalry Regiment stationed at Canterbury. Church bells also rung-out as she progressed her route. The cavalcade was cheered and greeted by large crowds as it passed through the villages of Faversham and Milton en route to Sittingbourne.[17]
Arrival at Sittingbourne
At Sittingbourne a number of clergymen in their full gowns, and bands were waiting in the road to pay their respects. When fresh horses had been harnessed the party continued on its route where it received another reception at the bottom of Chatham Hill.
Passing Through Medway
It was reported that the whole population of Chatham turned out to greet Caroline as she reached the bottom of Chatham Hill. As had happened at Dover and Canterbury the crowds wanted to compliment Caroline by unhitching the horses from her carriage and drawing it through the town. At Caroline’s request they desisted as she desired to reach London that night. She was though escorted by a very numerous cavalcade of horsemen, and was cheered and applauded from every house she passed on her route through Rochester and Strood.[18]
Forced to Stop at Gravesend
The people of Gravesend were not willing to allow Caroline to pass through their town without affording her the compliment of drawing her carriage. To ensure she stopped they secured ropes across the road. As in previous towns Caroline received a very enthusiastic welcome.
Dartford
At Dartford Caroline’s cavalcade was met by several horsemen who escorted her to London.
Onwards to London
As with her progress through Kent hundreds of people turned out to welcome her. All ranks of people turned out at various points along the route joyously waving their hats. At Greenwich – where she had lived after her separation – it was reported the town had never seen such festivities since the days of Elizabeth l who had her seat there.
Loyal publicans hoisted a Royal Ensign. At Shooters Hill the cavalcade was joined by an arrangement of barouches (four wheeled carriage), chaises (two wheeled carriage) and other vehicles filled with “respectable and decent women”. And so it continued to London where Caroline stayed at the house of Alderman Wood as George had made no provision for his wife’s return; indeed he had apparently threatened Caroline with imprisonment in the Tower of London, for treason, should she set foot in England.
Divorce Proceedings – “Pains & Penalties Bill”
The case ‘against’ Caroline rested heavily on witnesses from Italy.[19] On 12th July eleven men and a woman landed at Dover. Clearly those who arranged for the witnesses to land there had overlooked the towns loyalty to the Queen Consort. The witnesses were soon set upon and unmercifully beaten by a crowd of men, women and children – with the women taking the most violent part.[20] Indeed other contemporaneous reports state that the assaults were led by women.[21] The Italians were only saved by magistrates who arranged for their protection. (Another report only mentioned six men – described as being of the lowest order.[22] It is possible that two groups of witnesses arrived.)
Alternative arrangements also needed to be made to get the witnesses to London[23] after the mail coach at Canterbury had been mobbed by those believing the Italians were on it.[24] They were eventually conveyed to London on the Dover coach that travelled via Folkestone.
It was soon after reported that two parties of ‘Italian witnesses’ had left for Holland from Harwich – having been found to have doubtful reputations. “The wretched appearance of the creatures beggars description; it excited the disgust of all who saw them.” Later eleven more departed including one woman, who had arrived at London. The captain of the ship taking them from our shores was ordered to “sail express” as the passengers feared further chastisement upon their persons. “Would that all the people of England were to see the persons who are to be witness against our Queen!”[25]
Details of the debates in the House of Lords and Parliament are well documented in many sources – in print and on the internet.[26]
The evidence presented to Parliament of Caroline’s promiscuous conduct was widely reported. Indeed newspapers brought out supplements claiming to “[contain] a faithful representation of the House of Lords, with an explanatory table and a synopsis of the whole proceedings.”
At Rochester a copy could be obtained from Mrs Wetheral at 48 High Street. (Current number 77 – Kiss Kiss Heart – original building has been replaced.) Suffice it to say there was much ‘washing of dirty linen’ – much obtained by the Milan Commission that secretly travelled to Italy to collect evidence on Caroline’s conduct and infidelities. Its report, once completed, was circulated in a green bag.
Eventually, largely due to the amount of the popular support there was for Caroline, the “Pains & Penalties Bill” was withdrawn. Perhaps, in truth, the populous largely overlooked Caroline’s misdemeanours because of their dislike or George; similarly women may have overlooked her ‘conduct’ because of the inequity of treatment they receive when a marriage fails – “… if ever there was an occasion when the interference of females in political matters was excusable, nay, commendable, it is surely the present..”[27]
Regardless of the rights & wrong of the ‘divorce proceedings’ Caroline’s success in thwarting George’s attempt to divorce her and to remove the rights and privileges that should be afforded the Queen Consort, was a matter for national celebrations. (George had Caroline physically prevented from gaining access to Westminster Abbey at his Coronation – she was consequently never actually crowned Queen.)
Rochester Celebrates – “Queen’s victory over corruption, conspiracy and perjury” [28]
At Rochester, the 8 November 1820 was appointed as the date to celebrate the joyful news of the Queen’s victory over “bribery, corruption conspiracy and perjury”. The night before, around 7pm, a Chancellor, amongst great hooting, was carried by torchlight through the City, with a green bag in his right hand, and a placard in his left bearing the words “Old Bags”. (The Green Bag referenced to the green bags that contained the evidence that was presented to Parliament, against Caroline.)
The following day the same figure appeared in the pillory. A number of tablets were carried by two persons. Each carried an emblematic inscription such as: “The Ministers defeated November 10th”, “Conspiracy unmasked”, “Ministers disgraced” etc.
Rochester and Chatham Illuminated
The following evening (Friday 10th) – there was a general illumination – with only two unnamed exceptions; Rochester and Chatham was as one in celebrating the Queen’s victory over corruption, conspiracy and perjury. Ships on the river also illuminated themselves. There were also fireworks of all descriptions.
The atmosphere was described as joyous. A celebratory drink was held at the Bull Inn where the health of “Queen Caroline” was drunk. I suspect trouble was expected as the garrison placed a captain and a contingent of soldiers at the Mayor’s disposal to quell any trouble. This caused the Mayor some indignation and he sent the soldiers away – threatening goal should they not instantly depart. As it turned out there was no trouble or complaints with the magistrates not needing to sit the following day. A full investigation was ordered into what was regarded as an outrage to the City’s privileges, by a military contingent being sent to Rochester.[29]
On 27th November 1820, a Common Hall meeting was called at Rochester to consider whether a loyal address should be sent to the “most gracious Queen Caroline” to congratulate her on defeating her enemies, and to implore the King to dismiss his present ministers, and to instigate an investigation into the detestable Commission of Milan – that collected / ?concocted? evidence against Caroline. The meeting also considered addressing Lord Darnley for his patriotic conduct. All proposals were carried unanimously by a very crowded hall and a Committee was appointed to carry them into effect.[30] “The Gentlemen of East Gate, Rochester” also agreed to send an address to Lord Darnley, “for his manly and zealous exertions on behalf of her Majesty, during the late anomalous proceedings.”[31]
Canterbury Celebrate the Anniversary of Caroline’s Success
Several tradesmen of the City held a meeting for the purpose of celebrating the anniversary of her Caroline’s return to England.[32] The following toasts were given and drank with enthusiasm:
“The King, and may he spurn from his presence all evil and bad men”
“The Queen, and may her enemies become her footstool”
“The Noble Lords who espoused the cause of the Queen”
“Her Majesty’s Counsel”
“Trial by Jury”.
These were followed by a speech that spoke of the sensibility of British hearts, their love of justice and their determination to resist violation of injured innocence.
Postscript
Caroline presented herself at Westminster Abbey for the Coronation of George only to be repeatedly turned away. This caused more public protests but they soon died down. Caroline died suddenly the following year.
(Image – British Museum)
I suspect the revelation of Caroline’s extramarital affair(s) and her focus on pursing her Magisterial rights, could have resulted in her not being regarded as a suitable champion for the rights of women. With that, was an opportunity lost?
Post Postcript
Before marrying Caroline, George had entered into an illegal ‘marriage’ with a Maria Fitzherbert in 1784. As heir to the throne he was required to have obtained the King’s permission – he did not so this was not a marraige. The ceremony was conducted by Rev. Robert Burt – the third priest approached. There are unsubstianted stories that he was in debtors’ prison and following the cermony his fortunes improved. What is known is that he soon took on the parish of St Mary Hoo where he had a rectory built. The Old Rectory is now a private house. (I’ve noted that the debtors claim is often repeated on the internet but not referenced back to a souce document.)
Geoff Ettridge
3 March 2024
[1] Morning Post – 29 September 1820.
[2] https://archives.blog.parliament.uk/2020/06/02/the-queen-caroline-affair
[3] Champion (London) – 10 June 1820
[4] The Trial of Queen Caroline, 2006, Jane Robins. p120
[5] The Windsor and Eton Express, 4 to 11 June 1820,
[6] Carriage pulled by four horses
[7] Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal – 6 June 1820
[8] The Trial of Queen Caroline. Jane Robins. 2006. p121.
[9] Kentish Weekly Post or Canterbury Journal – 6 June 1820
[10] The Trial of Queen Caroline. Jane Robins. 2006. p121.
[11] Sun (London) – 6 June 1820
[12] Bank of England inflation calculator
[13] Champion (London) – 10 June 1820
[14] Kentish Weekly Post – 6 June 1820
[15] Kentish Weekly Post – 6 June 1820
[16] Oak trees symbolise royalty and patriotism.
[17] Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser – 8 June 1820
[18] Champion (London) – 10 June 1820
[19] Worcester Journal – 13 July 1820
[20] Baldwin’s London Weekly Journal – 15 July 1820
[21] https://www.jstor.org/stable/1906228. Cited in “The Queen Caroline Affair: Politics as Art in the Reign of George IV.” Thomas W Laqueur. 1982
[22] London Moderator and National Adviser – 12 July 1820
[23] Cambridge Chronicle and Journal – 14 July 1820
[24] London Packet and New Lloyd’s Evening Post – 10 July 1820
[25] Baldwin’s London Weekly Journal – 15 July 1820
[26] eg. The Trial of Queen Caroline, 2006, Jane Robins. Chapter 13 – many questions about sheets!
[27] Morning Post – 29 September 1820.
[28] London Packet and New Lloyd’s Evening Post – 24 November 1820
[29] Public Ledger and Daily Advertiser – 24 November 1820
[30] Morning Chronicle – 30 November 1820
[31] Star (London) – 23 November 1820
[32] Kentish Weekly Post – 8 June 1821
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