1707 Great Britain Anne Silver Shilling – gEF

Becoming Queen of England: Accession and Early Reign

In 1702, after the death of her brother-in-law William III of England, Anne ascended the throne as Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Immediately, she threw herself into the business of rule. Moreover, she supported the ongoing War of the Spanish Succession, relying heavily on trusted advisers such as the Duke of Marlborough.
Yet her reign did not merely revolve around war. Instead, it centred on unity — specifically, the long-debated union between England and Scotland.

Before and After the Union with Scotland; A Divided Crown

Before 1707, England and Scotland shared a monarch but maintained separate parliaments and legal systems. This arrangement, while workable, bred tension. Therefore, politicians on both sides pursued closer integration.

The Act of Union

In 1707, the Acts of Union created the single kingdom of Great Britain. As a result, Anne became the first monarch of Great Britain rather than merely Queen of England and Scotland separately. This political transformation strengthened trade and security; however, not everyone celebrated. Many Scots protested fiercely, fearing lost sovereignty.
Nevertheless, Anne championed the union, believing firmly in a united kingdom. Her reign thus marked a constitutional milestone.

Tragedy, Heirs, and a Changed Monarchy

Anne married Prince George of Denmark, and together they faced heartbreaking loss. She experienced at least seventeen pregnancies; tragically, none of her children survived into adulthood. Her only son to live beyond infancy, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, died in 1700 at age eleven.
Consequently, Parliament passed the Act of Settlement 1701, ensuring a Protestant succession. After Anne’s death in 1714, the crown passed to George I of Great Britain of the House of Hanover. Thus began a new dynasty and a shift toward a more parliamentary monarchy.

Legacy

Anne ruled during transformation, turmoil, and personal sorrow. Although history sometimes overlooks her, she presided over the birth of Great Britain itself. Indeed, she may not have sought drama — yet drama certainly found her.

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