The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.II.: Continued from the Reign of William and Mary to the Death of George II

In Short

Tobias Smollett’s historical chronicle picks up the narrative of the British state in the wake of the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and follows its turbulent trajectory through the mid-eighteenth century. Spanning the joint reign of William and Mary, the era of Queen Anne, and the reigns of George I and George II, the work examines a nation constantly testing the limits of its newly structured monarchy. Smollett details the grueling campaigns of the War of the Spanish Succession, the contentious political integration of Scotland and England, the rise of parliamentary factionalism, and the global expansion of the Seven Years' War across Europe and North America. Through military dispatches, parliamentary debates, and accounts of social upheaval, the text reveals how domestic instability and foreign aggression shaped British institutions. The book has endured as a primary window into the eighteenth-century British worldview, celebrated for its stylistic vigor, clear-eyed realism, and vivid detail.

The Story

The narrative opens in the fragile aftermath of 1688. King William III arrives in a kingdom deeply divided by religious animosities and constitutional uncertainty. In Scotland and Ireland, James II seeks to reclaim his lost throne, initiating a series of violent clashes. At the Battle of the Boyne, William’s multi-ethnic army forces the Jacobite troops into retreat, though the loss of key military commanders highlights the precarious nature of the new regime. Domestic politics quickly turn hostile as the English Parliament, eager to assert its independence, scrutinizes royal expenditures and fiercely guards the Habeas Corpus Act against judicial overreach. Abroad, European monarchs maneuver for position as the Spanish empire faces an impending crisis of succession, drawing England into endless continental intrigues.

Upon the accession of Queen Anne, the geopolitical conflict erupts into full-scale continental warfare. Marlborough and Prince Eugene lead allied forces against the armies of Louis XIV, mounting long, grueling sieges at fortresses like Douay and Bethune. Concurrently, the domestic arena is consumed by the bitter struggle to unite the kingdoms of Scotland and England into Great Britain. The proposed Act of Union ignites riots across Scottish towns; angry crowds target civic officials, and armed factions like the Cameronians burn the terms of the treaty in public squares. Despite violent opposition, the political union is secured, solidifying a single Protestant succession.

The transition to the House of Hanover under George I brings no end to political strife. Parliament becomes a battleground for Whig and Tory factions, where public accusations of corruption and place-selling are traded openly on the house floor. Financial schemes like the South-Sea Act promise to manage the bloated national debt but trigger speculative mania and subsequent fallout. Meanwhile, exiled political figures intrigue for pardons, and legislation is crafted to disarm rebellious regions, particularly the Scottish Highlands.

Under George II, the scope of history broadens into global conflict and domestic adversity. Extraordinary natural and social crises strike home, including a bitter frost that freezes the Thames solid, halting all commerce and throwing thousands of outdoor laborers into destitution. Internationally, the struggle with France expands into a world-spanning war fought in the forests of North America, the waters of the Atlantic, and the plains of Europe. British military campaigns face catastrophic setbacks, such as Lord Loudon’s failed expedition to Louisbourg, alongside surprising triumphs like the capture of Cherbourg, which prompts public celebrations in London.

The war reaches its climax during the Seven Years' War. In North America, General Wolfe confronts French forces and indigenous allies at Quebec, attempting to curb brutal frontier warfare while navigating treacherous terrain. Though Quebec falls to the British, the victory is costly, and the remaining garrison faces brutal winters, disease, and immediate siege by French counter-offensives. Across Europe, the King of Prussia wages a desperate, multi-front war against Austrians, Russians, and Swedes, breaking sieges at Dresden and Neiss through rapid maneuvers.

Smollett carries the narrative to the final years of George II’s reign, reflecting on the paradoxical nature of Great Britain’s growth. The nation’s commercial power reaches unprecedented heights, driven by naval dominance that cripples French maritime trade. Yet this expansion comes at the cost of an escalating national debt, heavy taxation, and pervasive administrative corruption. The account closes with Britain established as an international power, yet burdened by the very wars and debts that fueled its rise.

How It Unfolds

A fragile crown is tested William III ascends the throne amid widespread constitutional confusion, immediately facing Jacobite resistance in Ireland and bitter challenges from a parliament determined to curb royal authority and safeguard civil liberties.

Blood on the Boyne William’s forces cross the waist-high river to engage the Irish and French armies, securing a decisive tactical victory despite severe casualties and the chaotic death of the Duke of Schomberg.

The Spanish succession crisis European courts engage in furious diplomatic intrigues and military posturing over the failing health of the Spanish king, setting the stage for decades of continental warfare.

A contentious union The political merger of England and Scotland triggers violent riots across Edinburgh and Glasgow, forcing troops to protect parliamentarians from angry crowds who view the treaty as a betrayal.

Sieges in Flanders Allied commanders lead vast armies through brutal seasonal campaigns, systematically reducing French border fortresses such as Douay and Bethune through prolonged artillery bombardments and costly infantry assaults.

Peace at Rastadt Exhausted by endless campaigns, the European powers convene to redraft borders and settle crown successions, granting Britain commercial privileges while reshaping the balance of continental power.

Financial schemes and parliamentary spats The British government struggles with massive war debts, giving rise to corporate legislation like the South-Sea Act while leading politicians trade public accusations of corruption.

Disaster and frost at home A severe winter freezes the Thames, shutting down all river trade and plunging the urban poor into extreme poverty, which is only partially relieved by widespread private charity.

Global conflict ignites Hostilities with France expand into the American wilderness and onto the high seas, characterized by fluctuating military fortunes, failed naval expeditions, and brutal frontier warfare.

The struggle for Canada British forces undertake high-stakes amphibious operations against French strongholds, culminating in the capture and perilous defense of Quebec amidst harsh winters and heavy disease.

The Prussian gamble King Frederick II executes rapid military maneuvers across Central Europe, lifting multiple sieges and holding off combined Austrian and Russian armies through sheer force of will.

An empire's cost The chronicle concludes by examining Britain’s unprecedented commercial growth, noting that naval supremacy secured global markets even as crushing public debt threatened long-term stability.

The People

• King William III: The Dutch prince who assumes the English throne through the Revolution of 1688. He wants to secure his royal authority and unite European allies against French dominance. Hindered by a suspicious Parliament, lingering Jacobite loyalties, and military setbacks, he constantly struggles to manage domestic political factions.
• King James II: The deposed Catholic monarch who seeks to reclaim his lost kingdoms. Supported by French troops and Irish loyalists, his ambitions are thwarted by defeat at the Battle of the Boyne and the superior resources of the Protestant coalition, forcing him into permanent exile.
• The Duke of Schomberg: A veteran Protestant general who commands William’s forces in Ireland. He seeks a decisive battlefield victory over the Jacobite army, but his career ends abruptly when he is accidentally shot and killed by his own troops during the chaotic crossing of the Boyne.
• The Duke of Marlborough: A brilliant military strategist who commands British and allied forces in Flanders. He aims to dismantle French border defenses through methodical siege warfare. Though successful in taking key fortresses, he must constantly manage fragile alliances and shifting political support at home.
• Marquis d’Harcourt: The clever French ambassador to Madrid who works to secure the Spanish crown for the House of Bourbon. Opposed by the Queen of Spain and Austrian diplomats, he uses a blend of subtle promises, military threats, and political manipulation to achieve his master's territorial ambitions.
• Duke of Hamilton: A prominent Scottish nobleman who becomes a central figure during the debates over the Act of Union. He initially encourages anti-union resistance, but his cautious nature leads him to halt armed uprisings, frustrating his more radical followers and allowing the union to pass.
• Sir Robert Walpole: A dominant political manager who seeks to stabilize the British economy and maintain Whig control. He faces relentless opposition from rival statesmen and public outrage over proposed taxes, forcing him to adapt his policies to survive politically.
• General Wolfe: An intense British commander tasked with capturing Quebec. Driven by a desire for military victory, he finds his professional ethics challenged by the brutal nature of colonial warfare, attempting to restrain atrocities while pursuing his strategic goals.
• King Frederick II of Prussia: The ambitious monarch fighting to defend his kingdom against a coalition of European powers. Constantly facing superior numbers, he relies on swift troop movements and aggressive tactics to lift sieges and preserve his territory.

In Its Own Voice

"Then the duke of Schomberg, passing the river in person, put himself at the head of the French protestants, and pointing to the enemy, 'Gentlemen,' said he, 'those are your persecutors;' with these words he advanced to the attack..."

This moment captures the intense personal leadership and religious zeal that defined the battle for the British crown at the Boyne.

"In this season of distress, many wretched families must have perished by cold and hunger, had not those of opulent fortunes been inspired with a remarkable spirit of compassion and humanity."

Smollett pauses his political history to record the severe winter frost that paralyzed London, highlighting how private charity stepped in to prevent total urban collapse.

"The lower house, in another address, renewed their complaints against the conduct of the peers, which they still affirmed was without a precedent. But this was the language of irritated faction, by which indeed both sides were equally actuated."

Here the author exposes the chronic partisan hostility that plagued Parliament, viewing both Whig and Tory leaders with a critical, cynical eye.

What It's Really About

Beneath its detailed accounts of battles, treaties, and parliamentary votes, the book presents a clear-eyed examination of how modern state power operates. Smollett is deeply interested in the machinery of government, showing that a nation's military success is inextricably tied to its financial systems. The text continuously highlights the precarious balance between royal prerogative and legislative control, demonstrating how the Revolution Settlement of 1688 did not eliminate political conflict, but merely shifted it into the halls of Parliament.

Another central theme is the human cost of national ambition. Whether detailing the desperate poverty of London workers during extreme weather, the brutal realities of frontier scalping, or the thousands of soldiers lost to disease in winter quarters, the narrative refuses to romanticize war. Smollett reveals how ordinary citizens bear the burden of imperial expansion through heavy taxation, military conscription, and economic dislocation.

Finally, the work explores the volatile nature of public opinion and political factionalism. Throughout the chronicle, mob violence, political pamphlets, and parliamentary rivalries threaten to derail national policy. Smollett portrays a society navigating the transition into modern commercial capitalism, warning that unchecked speculation, public debt, and partisan corruption could undermine the very liberties the nation claims to defend.

Why Read It Today

This volume offers a remarkably direct, unfiltered view of the eighteenth century written by an author who was himself a celebrated novelist and surgeon. Smollett brings a keen observer's eye to historical writing, combining the scope of a national chronicle with a narrative drive that makes complex political maneuvers and distant battles feel immediate. Readers interested in military history, the evolution of constitutional monarchy, or the origins of the British Empire will find a wealth of specific, concrete detail that modern summaries often smooth over.

The reading experience is vigorous and demanding. Smollett writes in the measured, formal prose of the Enlightenment, utilizing dense paragraphs packed with names, dates, and troop movements. His narrative moves at a rapid pace, shifting swiftly from the floor of the House of Commons to naval engagements in the Mediterranean or wilderness skirmishes in North America. There are no simplified caricatures here; historical figures are presented with all their contradictions, flaws, and mixed motives.

While the sheer length of the work and its exhaustive coverage of long-forgotten legislative debates require patience, the reward is a deep immersion in a pivotal era. Smollett does not gloss over the harsh realities of the age—its religious intolerance, systemic corruption, or the violence of its colonial wars. What stays with the reader is a powerful sense of history as an unfinished, chaotic process, driven by human ambition, administrative trial, and sheer chance.

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