Caroline the Illustrious, Vol. 1 (of 2): Queen-Consort of George II. and Sometime Queen-Regent; A Study of Her Life and Time

Caroline of Ansbach wasn't born to rule. She came from a minor German princedom, yet she became one of the most powerful women in early 18th-century Europe. This volume traces her journey from provincial German princess to Princess of Wales, revealing how she cultivated the wit, learning, and political instinct that would later make her indispensable to the Hanoverian dynasty. Wilkins chronicles her strategic marriage to George Augustus, her navigation of court factions, and her cultivation of powerful mentors like the Electress Sophia. When George became king, Caroline's role expanded dramatically, she served as regent during his absences, wielding real political authority with intelligence and flair. Written in the Victorian biographical tradition, this is history as grand narrative: detailed, often admiring, and rich with the texture of court life. For readers who relish the complex politics of the Hanoverian succession and the women who quietly held the reins of power, Caroline is waiting.