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The Power of Perception: Women and Politics at the Early Georgian Court

The early Georgian period illustrates how the familial dynamic at court affected women’s opportunity to exert political influence. The court represented an important venue that allowed women to declare a political affiliation and to participate in political issues that suited their interests. Appearances often at variance with reality allowed women to manipulate and test their political abilities in order to have the capability to exercise any possible power. Moreover, some women developed political alliances and relationships that supported their own interests. The family structure of the royal household affected how much influence women had. The perception of holding power permitted certain women to behave politically. This thesis will demonstrate that the distinction between appearances and reality becomes vital in assessing women at the early Georgian court by examining some women’s experiences at court during the reigns of the first two Georges. In some cases, the perceived power of a courtier had a real basis, and in other instances, it gave them an opportunity to assess the extent of their political power. Women’s political participation has been underestimated during the early Georgian period, while well-documented post-1760.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:unt.edu/info:ark/67531/metadc699945
Date08 1900
CreatorsStewart, Hailey A.
ContributorsMorris, Marilyn, Golden, Richard M., Stern, Laura Ikins
PublisherUniversity of North Texas
Source SetsUniversity of North Texas
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeThesis or Dissertation
Formativ, 114 pages, Text
CoverageEngland, 1660-1760
RightsPublic, Stewart, Hailey A., Copyright, Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

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