British Monarch. Last of the Stuart dynasty. The second daughter of James II and his first wife Anne Hyde, Anne acceded in 1702 following the death of her brother-in-law William III of Orange. She married Prince George of Denmark on July 28, 1683 at St. James Palace. During Anne's reign the two-party system of politics (Whigs & Tories) was born, and in 1707 England and Scotland were fully united into Great Britain. Anne, like the other Stuarts before her, relied heavily upon court favorites. In Anne's case it was Lady Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, with whom Anne shared a committed 20-year friendship. Lady Sarah held tremendous influence over the Queen, but eventually grew too confident in her standing. She became overbearing, even berating the Queen in public. The Duchess was dismissed in 1710 after their friendship fell asunder. The Queen then turned to Abigail Hill for guidance and support. Anne's reign was also a dramatic time for the arts. Swift, Steele, and Pope were writing prose, Locke and Newton were expounding their theories, and Wren was finishing the building of St. Paul's Cathedral. Her reign laid a solid foundation for the 18th century's Golden Age. Despite enduring 18 pregnancies, Anne failed to produce a living heir; the only of her children to survive infancy having died at age 11. She had never been of robust health, and the numerous pregnancies did not help. She was prone to gout and overweight, and later in life she sought solace in food and brandy. She died at Kensington Palace after lapsing into a coma, suffering from suppressed gout and porphyria.

British Monarch. Last of the Stuart dynasty. The second daughter of James II and his first wife Anne Hyde, Anne acceded in 1702 following the death of her brother-in-law William III of Orange. She married Prince George of Denmark on July 28, 1683 at St. James Palace. During Anne's reign the two-party system of politics (Whigs & Tories) was born, and in 1707 England and Scotland were fully united into Great Britain. Anne, like the other Stuarts before her, relied heavily upon court favorites. In Anne's case it was Lady Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, with whom Anne shared a committed 20-year friendship. Lady Sarah held tremendous influence over the Queen, but eventually grew too confident in her standing. She became overbearing, even berating the Queen in public. The Duchess was dismissed in 1710 after their friendship fell asunder. The Queen then turned to Abigail Hill for guidance and support. Anne's reign was also a dramatic time for the arts. Swift, Steele, and Pope were writing prose, Locke and Newton were expounding their theories, and Wren was finishing the building of St. Paul's Cathedral. Her reign laid a solid foundation for the 18th century's Golden Age. Despite enduring 18 pregnancies, Anne failed to produce a living heir; the only of her children to survive infancy having died at age 11. She had never been of robust health, and the numerous pregnancies did not help. She was prone to gout and overweight, and later in life she sought solace in food and brandy. She died at Kensington Palace after lapsing into a coma, suffering from suppressed gout and porphyria.

Bio by: Kristen Conrad