As Sophia, Electress of Hanover, had died two months before Queen Anne's death in August 1714, Sophia's eldest son George, Elector of Hanover, inherited the throne under the Act of Settlement of 1701. There were some 50 Roman Catholic relatives with stronger claims.

His claim was challenged by James Stuart, Roman Catholic son of James II, who landed in Scotland in 1715, following a rising of Scottish clans on his behalf; this was unsuccessful and he soon withdrew after his supporters were defeated at the Battle of Felkirk.

George I spoke German and French and a little English; he regularly visited Hanover to fulfil his duties there.

Family tensions (George had imprisoned his wife in 1694) and political intrigue (opposition gathered round The Prince of Wales) led to differences and intense dislike between George and his son, George, Prince of Wales.

In 1719 and 1720, and during most of the King's absences in Hanover, power was delegated to a Regency Council and not to the Prince of Wales.

Unfamiliar with the customs of the country and lacking fluent English, George was dependent on his ministers - the Whigs dominated Parliament during his reign.

After 1717, George rarely attended Cabinet meetings. This allowed the Cabinet to act collectively and formulate policies, which, provided they were backed by a majority in the Commons, the king was usually powerless to resist.

After the South Sea Bubble crisis of 1720 (when the South Sea Company, with heavy government and royal investments, crashed), Robert Walpole took over. The most able of George's ministers, and known as the first 'Prime Minister', Walpole's was the longest running administration in British history (1721-42).

George died in 1727, during a visit to Hanover and his son, George II, became King.