Sophia of Hanover: Mother of George I and Ancestor of the House of Windsor [Paperback]

J. N. Duggan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 28, 2010

Sophia, Electress of Hanover (1630-1714), grand-daughter of James I and mother of George I, is best remembered as the link between the Houses of Stuart and Hanover. But, above all, she was a gifted and prolific chronicler; her detailed memoirs and letters give us an insider's view of life in the top echelons of society in the 16th century. Duggan has translated Sophia's memoir and thousands of letters to paint a remarkable portrait of a woman who deserves to be known today.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

J. N. Duggan has translated Sophia's memoir and thousands of letters to paint a remarkable portrait of a woman who deserves to be known by modern-day readers.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Peter Owen Ltd (May 28, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0720613426
• ISBN-13: 978-0720613421
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #473,417 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Protestant heiress to the British throne - a life., January 27, 2011

By 

K. Maxwell "katmax1" (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sophia of Hanover: Mother of George I and Ancestor of the House of Windsor (Paperback)

Sophia of Hanover is the descendant who links the Stuart line on the British throne to the current royal family's right to inherit. However, at her birth her becoming heiress to the throne seemed the most unlikely thing that could happen. She was the daughter of Princess Elizabeth Stuart, "the winter Queen" and her husband Frederick, Elector of Palantine. She was born and grew up in the Hague in Holland in a background of gentile poverty with a mother who was generous beyond her means but who nevertheless never forgot her royal heritage.

Sophia had an interesting life and made the best of what it dealt her. In her 50s when she hit a low patch she even started writing her memoirs. Luckily for us the multi lingual Sophia was an excellent writer. The author has even included a number of Sophia's letters in their original language at the back of the book as a "challenge" for readers to translate (a bit annoying but at least they are published).

I would have to say this was an interesting look at Sophia's life. Given her extensive letter writing and the quality of her letters this is unlikely to be the be-all-end-all biography of Sophia but as an overview of her life and a look at a woman who was fascinating in her own right this is a good read.