CAROLINE OF BRANDENBURG-ANSBACH

born March 1, 1683, Ansbach, Brandenburg-Ansbach died Nov. 20, 1737, London, Eng. German Karoline Von Brandenburg-ansbach wife of King George II of Great Britain (reigned 172760). Beautiful and intelligent, she exercised an influence over her husband that was decisive in establishing and maintaining Sir Robert Walpole as prime minister (173042). The daughter of a German prince, Caroline married George Augustus (later King George II) in 1705. After her father-in-law became King George I in 1714, she helped ease the difficult situation created by the bitter quarrel between the king and her husband. Nevertheless, during the three years (171720) when George Augustus was banned from court, she made their London residence a lively centre of opposition to the crown. Upon George II's accession in 1727, Caroline prevented him from ousting Walpole, who had become a leading minister, and she continued to dominate her husband until her death. Additional reading Peter Quennel, Caroline of England (1939, reprinted 1973).