Description
Book SynopsisReappraises the often complex relationship between British monarchs and some of their more troublesome subjects in the 'age of revolutions'. Casts new light upon the contested languages of constitutionalism, contract theory and the rights of petition and provokes fresh controversy over the viability of monarchies in the modern world.
Table of Contents1. Introduction: monarchy, contractualism and history
2. The crown and the secular magic of petition
3. Monarchy and the policing of insanity
4. The madness of Margaret Nicholson
5. Treason compassed: popular mobilization and physicality in the 1790s
6. Lunacy and politics at fin de siecle, 1800–3
7. The potatoes speak for themselves: regicide, radicalism and George IV, 1811–30
8. Collins in context: William IV, affability and the reform crisis, 1830–7
9. Monarchy goes private: Peel’s Protection Act and the retreat from approachability, 1837–50
10. Conclusion
Select bibliography
Index
