Life in the Georgian Court Quotes

“As the daughter of John VI of Portugal and his wife, Carlota Joaquina of Spain, the young infanta’s parents always intended that she would have a vital part to play in the European marriage market. To their eye, the ideal candidate appeared to be Maria Isabel’s maternal uncle, Ferdinand VII, who was to acquire something of a hobby for marrying his nieces. Worries about inbreeding and familial relations were nowhere on the horizon and after a decade as a widower with no heir, the King of Spain was in need of a young, childbearing wife.”
― Catherine Curzon, Life in the Georgian Court

“He finally passed away in the early hours of 11 June, ending the reign of the first monarch of the Georgian era. Melusine couldn’t quite accept the loss, and following the death of the man she adored, she devoted herself to the care of a pet raven that she believed was the spirit of the king returned to her side.”
― Catherine Curzon, Life in the Georgian Court

“It was at this point that Parliament took action to focus their considerable resources on preventing the dreaded Catholic restoration. Their response to the crisis was to legislate and in 1701, the Act of Settlement was passed. The Act ruled that, should Anne or the current incumbent, her brother-in-law, William III, fail to provide an heir, then the crown would pass to Sophia, Electress of Hanover; should Sophia predecease Anne, then the English crown would pass to her nearest descendent. The Act also contained the vital clause that no Catholic could sit on the throne, and should the heir or Sovereign marry a Catholic then they would be removed from the line of succession.”
― Catherine Curzon, Life in the Georgian Court

“When Marie Antoinette signed her name to the register a blot of ink dripped onto the page, obscuring part of her signature whilst outside the palace, a violent storm raged. All of this was taken as an omen of ill things to come by some who witnessed the wedding but for most, the day was a roaring success.”
― Catherine Curzon, Life in the Georgian Court

“The Act ruled that, should no Stuart heir survive, then the crown would pass to Sophia, Electress of Hanover or her successor. The Act also contained the vital clause that no Catholic could sit on the English throne and, should the heir or Sovereign marry a Catholic, then they would be removed from the line of succession.”
― Catherine Curzon, Life in the Georgian Court