Absolute Hanoverians

1714- King George I ascends to the throne at age 54. Ceremonies and feasts are held in his honour. He also appoints John Wallace as his chancellor. 1715- The king appoints the rest of his Council from a large pool of notable lawyers, bishops, and wealthy merchants. The new parliament is also elected. His first proposal to the Parliament is a small increase of taxes in London, Surrey and Sussex. The bill is improves by majority. George travels to York with his younger brother Ernest and their court. George seeks to grant the Duchy of York to his brother. His chancellor serves as regent while the king is away. 1716- George formally grants the Duchy of York to his younger brother Ernest. A ceremony is held, and George departs back to London in February. The new taxes have just been formally enacted and the new income stabilizes the economy of Great Britain. George sends his chancellor as an emissary to France to negotiate a trade alliance. Tuberculosis begins to spread in Norfolk. Populations shift as more and more citizens.of Scotland migrate to York and the surrounding towns and provinces. Winter snows prove devastating. 1717- The cold lasts well until March and April. The harvest is delayed as the soil is wet and soggy from melted snows. This cripples the British economy and farmers and mayors are outraged as they are not able to afford taxes. Chancellor Wallace arrives back from France. His talks with King Louis have come to benefit. He agrees to talk with George. A small contingent of rebels form in Surrey, and they raid farms and villages. They hide in the forests to evade capture. King George orders the uprising to be dealt with. The outlaws gain support as they evade capture from the British army. Their strength grows from 500 to 1700 in a month. They then begin to attack military outposts and steal food from soldiers. The King makes a formal declaration to the public demanding the heads of the leaders of the rebellion. A bounty of 10,000 pounds is posted. Scottish immigrants join the growing rebel forces. 1718- King George upset over the rebels sends a force of 6000 men to the rebel stronghold of Guildford. This marks the beginning of the Grey Revolution of 1718. The rebel forces number close to 3200. Duke Ernest of York is named commander of the King's force. They reach Guildford and are met with small guerilla attacks from the rebels which prove disastrous for morale. The two armies finally meet in open battle where Duke Ernest takes heavy casualties. Although he is not outnumbered, his strategies are met with fierce resistance. Nevertheless the rebels break and retreat into the nearby forests. Duke Ernest loses 2500 men while the rebels lose 800. King George is upset from the news. To make matters worse, a new rebellion is surfacing in London. Powerful politicians debate openly in the streets over the powers of the King. The matter is eventuay brought up in Parliament. Some propose that an office of Prime Minister should be created to curve the absolute rights of the King. George retires to his winter home in Leeds where he gathers his thoughts and plans to take action. Ernest leads his force into pursuit of the rebels. The rebels continue to use guerilla warfare to dwindle the royal forces. They hunker down in the small town of Farnham. There peasants and farmers join their ranks. Wealthy mayors fund soldiers which also strengthen their numbers. Ernest arrives at Farnham in November. The battle of Farnham takes place and the rebels take moderate losses. They ultimately break and surrender the next day. The battle could have went their favor but the leader of the rebel faction was captured as his cavalry lead a charge to the center of Ernest's forces. The leader Thomas Boudingfield along with the rest of the rebels are captured and taken back to London.