41 Queen Anne Facts: Biography, Achievements, And Achievements!

Keerthana Ramasamy
Nov 08, 2022 By Keerthana Ramasamy
Originally Published on Mar 28, 2022
Edited by Pete Anderson
Fact-checked by Gowri Rao
Know Queen Anne facts, ruler of Great Britain and Ireland; find her biography and achievements.
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Read time: 9.2 Min

Queen Anne was one of the most beloved British monarchs in history, known for her wit, intelligence, and compassion.

On February 6, 1665, Queen Anne was born and died on August 1, 1714. She was the Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1702 t0 1714.

Anne aimed to rule England independently; however, her chronic ill health and intellectual limitations made her rely on her ministers. As a result, some rivalries led to succession to her throne. Here are 41 Queen Anne facts that will give you a better understanding of this fascinating Queen.

The Early Life Of Queen Anne

Queen Anne's upbringing shaped her into the compassionate Queen she became known as. Learn with us Queen Anne's life, daughter of James II and VII and Anne Hyde. Her father was the younger brother of King Charles II, who ruled England, Scotland, and Ireland; her mother was the daughter of Lord Chancellor Edward Hyde.

  • On February 6, 1665, Queen Anne was born at St. James's Palace, Westminster, Middlesex, England.
  • She was born as the fourth child and second daughter of Duke of Yoke (afterward James II and VII) and his first wife. Her parents were Duke James II and VII and Anne Hyde.
  • Queen Anne had her Anglican baptism at Chapel Royal St. James. Anne's older sister, Maryl, along with Duchess of Monmouth, and Gilbert Sheldon, Archbishop of Canterbury, are her godparents.
  • The Duke and Duchess have eight children, and among them, Mary and Anne were the only ones who survived into adulthood.
  • George of Denmark and Princess Anne of Denmark. Queen Anne had a difficult childhood. She lost her mother when she was just two years old and her father when she was six. As an only child, she was raised by her grandparents, King Charles II and Queen Henrietta Maria of France.
  • In 1668, Queen Anne suffered from 'Defluxion.' Defluxion is an eye condition that leads to excessive watering in the eye. She was later sent to France for medical treatment, where Anne lived with her paternal grandmother, Henrietta Maria of France.
  • After the death of Anne's grandmother in 1669, Anne lived with her aunt, Henrietta Anne (wife of Laurence Hyde), Duchess of Orleans. Unfortunately, after the sudden death of Anne's aunt in 1670, she was sent to England.
  • Queen Anne's mother died the following year, in 1671. After their mother's death, Anne and Mary were sent away from their father as a part of royal family tradition and placed under the care of Colonel Edward and Lady Frances Villiers. 
  • Though Anne's father was a Roman Catholic, Anne and her elder sister Mary were raised Protestants under the instructions of King Charles II. Their education was focused on Anglican Church, where Henry Compton, Bishop of London, was made their preceptor.
  • Anne developed a good friendship with Sarah Jennings Churchill (wife of John Churchill) from childhood. Jennings was an important member of Anne's ministries.

Family Of Queen Anne

Anne ruled England for 12 years till her death, and her personal life and succession of the crown is marked with various crises. Learn unknown facts about Queen Anne's family and children.

  • Anne's elder sister married William of Orange; however, Anne was forbidden to meet them in the Netherlands upon their father's order.
  • In 1683, Anne married Prince George of Denmark. Although it was an arranged marriage, Prince George was devoted to Anne, and they were faithful to each other.
  • Bishop Compton officiated Anne and Prince George's wedding at Chapel Royal St. James's Palace. The couple was gifted with the building in the 'Palace of Whitehall,' known as 'The Cockpit.' The Cockpit was their London residence.
  • Sarah Churchill was one of Anne's ladies of the bed-chamber. 
  • Anne was pregnant within the months of marriage, but the baby was stillborn in May. Anne recovered at Tunbridge Wells' SPA town, and in the next two years, she gave birth to two daughters, Anne Sophia and her elder sister Mary. 
  • Between 1683 and 1700, Anne was pregnant 18 times; only five children were born alive. And out of five children, only one survived infancy. He was born on July 24, 1689, and Anne and George named him Prince William, Duke of Gloucester. He died in 1700 due to unclear causes.
Queen Anne was the last ruler from the Stuart monarchy, who structured the new Britain.

A Succession Of Queen Anne

In 1673, after James Francis Edward Stuart, Duke of York's conversion to Catholicism, became public, Duke married Catholic Princess Mary of Modena. She was only six and half years older than Anne. Since King Charles II had no legitimate children, the Duke of York was placed in the line of succession. After his two surviving daughters from the first marriage, the Duchess of York had ten children, none long-lived over the next ten years. It made Anne and her sister Mary second and third in the line of succession. Learn the brief succession of Queen Anne.

  • After Anne's son died in 1700 due to unknown causes, she led the three kingdoms herself without a successor. She accepted the 1701 Act of Settlement, which designated Anne as a successor of the Hanoverian descendants of King James I of England.
  • When William of Orange landed on the throne to England in 1688, Anne sided with the Protestant ruler William III of Orange; when he overthrew the Catholic King James II in 1688. Anne sided with William under the instructions of Sarah Churchill. Sarah Jennings Churchill was Anne's childhood friend who had a princess in her power.
  • By 1689, William and his wife, Princess Mary (Anne's elder sister), were made Duke and Duchess of England. William took the name King William III, and Anne was placed in line for succession to the throne after King William III. Finally, Anne succeeded the throne after Queen Mary died in 1694, and King William also died in 1702.
  • Anne was looked at as the potential successor of Britain by King Charles, and Louis XIV of France accepted it. Anne was crowned Queen in 1702 in the Westminster Abbey at the age of 37 years. She remained close friends with Sarah Churchill, whom she called 'Mrs. Freeman' and Sarah Churchill called Anne 'Mrs. Morley'.
  • John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough (Sarah's husband), commanded the War of Spanish Succession and won a series of victories over French at Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), Oudenarde (1708), and Malplaquet (1709).
  • Anne's first ministry was headed by Sidney Godolphin and the Duke of Marlborough. And from 1703, Sarah Churchill's influence over Anne was slight, and it declined after a violent quarrel in 1710. Sarah Churchill was dismissed from the court; however, the Duke remained commander of British forces.
  • Anne's husband, Prince George, was appointed Lord High Admiral, giving him control over the Royal Navy.
  • Lord Marlborough was appointed Captain General; he also received many honors from the Queen. Besides, he was also awarded 'Knight of the Garter Title' and promoted to Duke's rank.
  • Queen Anne of Great Britain suffered from various health problems. Some of them are the joints' inflammatory disease, causing sudden severe pains and attacks of gouts.
  • After Queen Anne died, family loyalty was convinced that Anne's father's son must inherit the crown by his second wife, Mary of Modena (Anne's stepmother). The son was named James Edward Stuart, also known as Old Pretender. However, as per the 1701 Act of Settlement, succession to the throne was succeeded by Protestant George I (King George I, 1714-1727), great-grandson of James I.

Legacy Of Queen Anne

Queen Anne's reign created modern Great Britain, the United Kingdom. Despite being very shy, she was a good public speaker with impressive achievements. She emphasized her own language. Learn more of her legacy and her transformation from Royal Chapel and Hampton Court Palace.

  • Queen Anne was the last from the Stuart dynasty who ruled England for 45 years. She was remembered for supporting and achieving the Acts of Union of 1707. The act united the crowns of England and Scotland into a single nation.
  • She is also remembered for concluding the War of Spanish Succession.
  • Anne proved to be an ardent advocate of union, and Queen Anne's first parliament speech set a clear direction for reign. It includes her commitment to protestant succession.
  • Queen Anne's reign played a primary role in aiding Britain's democratization process into a constitutional Monarchy.
  • Queen Anne's name was associated with the cultural history of English, including the artistic, architectural, literary, and scientific advancements.
  • Anne is referred to as 'Good Queen Anne,' as she was generous for donating to the war budget and compensating soldiers who lost their assets and horses in battles.
  • Queen Anne also regarded herself as the mother of all subjects, bringing various feminine qualities to the task of being for her nation's sovereign.
  • Queen Anne's biography was released as BBC TV drama series, and it was named 'The First Churchhills.'
  • Anne was rewarded with different honor titles. Some of them are 'Her Highness The Lady Anne (February 6, 1665-July 28, 1683),' 'Her Royal Highness Princess Geroge of Denmark and Norway (July 28, 1683-March 8, 1702),' 'Her Majesty The Queen of England, Scotland, and Ireland (March 8, 1702-May 1, 1707),' and 'Her Majesty The Queen of Great Britain and Ireland (May 1, 1707-August 1, 1714).'

Administration By Queen Anne

Queen Anne's political strategy was moderate with competing political views, with necessary tactics at the time of war. Read more to know Queen Anne's administration.

  • The first half of Anne's reign was characterized under the instructions of others. Significant among them is Sarah Churchill, Anne's childhood friend.
  • The first halve politics was primarily focused on the nation's pride and wisdom of land wars. It led to overconfidence in the military success that adopted fruitless policy 'No peace with Spain.'
  • Though Anne had always been a strong supporter of the UK, she also supported the War of Spanish Succession, a Whig war. However, Anne had always included supporting the war under the instruction of Churchill.
  • After the decline of Sarah from the courtroom, Anne's political influences had a significant change with Abigail Hill, Sarah's cousin. Historians' statements show that they believed Anne manipulated her ministers to enact the policies. Still, others see her as a monarch manipulated by her ministers.
  • The 1701 Settlement of Act that united England and Scotland pushed for the Act of Union. In 1707, Anne supported the Settlement of Act.
  • During Anne's reign, there were nine general elections between 1695 and 1713. All the elections structured the UK party issues and party leaders.

FAQs

How many pregnancies did Queen Anne have?

A: Between 1683-1700, Queen Anne was pregnant 18 times. However, only five children were born alive, and among them, only one son survived infancy.

How long was Anne Boleyn Queen?

A: Anne ruled England for 12 years, from 1702 to 1714; it changed Great Britain forever.

What did Queen Anne die of?

A: On August 1, 1714, Queen Anne died of severe strokes. She was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Who succeeded Queen Anne?

A: George I, great-grandson of James I suceeded Queen Anne.

How many children did Queen Anne have?

A: Among 18 pregnancies, Queen Anne gave birth to five children, and only one son survived infancy. And by 1700, the Queen's son and the crown prince of England died due to unclear causes.

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Written by Keerthana Ramasamy

Bachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

Keerthana Ramasamy picture

Keerthana RamasamyBachelor of Engineering specializing in Electrical and Electronics Engineering

With a background in electrical and electronics engineering from Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College, Keerthana brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative flair to her role as a content writer. Her natural curiosity and passion for exploring new career paths led her to the exciting world of content marketing, where she has honed her content optimization, SEO, and Google Analytics skills. Keerthana's experience as a Content Marketing Specialist at GetMyUni has provided her with hands-on experience in digital marketing and editing, allowing her to create engaging and impactful content.

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