Overview
Ernest Augustus
(1771—1851) king of Hanover
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(1771–1851).
Ernest Augustus, fifth son of George III, had an eventful life. At 15 he was sent to the University of Göttingen in Hanover and in 1790 was commissioned in the Hanoverian army. A brave cavalry commander, he was severely wounded in 1794, losing one eye. In 1799 he was created duke of Cumberland, took his seat in the Lords, and spoke frequently as a protestant Tory. In the crisis of 1828–32, Cumberland became the spokesman for those opposed to the repeal of the Test and Corporation Acts, catholic emancipation, and the Reform Bill. On becoming king of Hanover in 1837, he cancelled the liberal constitution granted in 1833 by his brother William IV, substituting a more limited one three years later. The Hanoverians, delighted to have a resident monarch once more, admired him greatly and he survived the year of revolution in 1848 without difficulty.
Subjects: History — Regional and National History
