Vilhelm IV King of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover from the Hanoverian dynasty, reigned from 1830 to 1837 Date of Birth: 21.08.1765 Country: Great Britain

1. Biography of William IV
2. Early Life and Naval Career
3. Relationships and Marriage
4. Reign and Political Reforms

Biography of William IV

William IV (1765-1837) was the King of Great Britain and Hanover from the Hanoverian dynasty, reigning from 1830 to 1837. He became king just two years after his brother's death and hardly changed his lifestyle. He was known for his ordinary and casual demeanor, often engaging in playful interactions with beautiful women at social gatherings, chatting with passersby while strolling along the Brighton promenade in the morning, and even leaning out of his carriage to spit on the ground.

Early Life and Naval Career

From an early age, William had a passion for the sea, so his parents assigned him to the navy. At the age of fourteen, he began his service as a midshipman on the gunship "Prince George," participating in several battles and displaying exemplary courage. In 1785, he was promoted to lieutenant, followed by captain in 1786, and rear-admiral in 1790. However, his naval career came to an end at this point.

In 1789, William, known as the Duke of Clarence, took his place in the House of Lords. Despite his position, he remained a sailor at heart, displaying rough and boisterous behavior, often erupting in foul language over trivial matters. King George, surprised by his son's unrefined behavior, exiled him to Hanover for a while, but this punishment did little to reform William. His free-spirited behavior and habit of speaking his mind shocked the German nobility. The prince did not attempt to conform to local society and even frequented brothels, contracting a venereal disease as a result.

Relationships and Marriage

Upon returning to England in 1790, William became involved with actress Dorothea Jordan, who remained his unmarried partner for many years. By 1797, they had two children together, and their family eventually grew to ten children. However, when the interests of the dynasty required the Duke of Clarence to enter into a legal marriage, Dorothea released him without objection, satisfied with a substantial financial settlement. Shortly after, William married twenty-four-year-old Adelaide of Saxe-Meiningen. Adelaide proved to be a kind and understanding woman who did not envy her husband's previous relationship and worked to improve his character. She brought order to his troubled affairs, discouraged excessive alcohol consumption, and overall tried to refine his nature. Despite not having any children, their marriage was otherwise happy.

Reign and Political Reforms

In 1827, George IV appointed William as the Lord High Admiral. However, he soon clashed with Prime Minister Wellington and was forced to resign. When William became king two years later, he made little change to his lifestyle. His ordinariness and casualness were evident, as he would playfully engage with women at social gatherings, chat with strangers while walking along Brighton's waterfront, and even lean out of his carriage to spit on the ground. Meanwhile, William ascended to power during a tense time when there was growing movement for electoral reform in the country. The existing electoral system had remained unchanged for centuries, with a significant number of Members of Parliament being elected from sparsely populated, rural areas known as "rotten boroughs" while major industrial cities lacked adequate representation. Although reluctant, the king sided with the Whigs, who advocated for necessary changes. As a result of the Reform Act of 1832, 56 "rotten boroughs" lost their right to send MPs to Parliament, and 143 vacant seats were redistributed among new constituencies. This reform marked a significant event during William's reign.