ABSTRACT

F o r the next few months political life ran smoothly. There was virtually no opposition to ministers in the Commons and, at last, they had the confidence of the King. This was just as well for the war itself was going badly. The all-out effort envisaged by the Duke of Newcastle proved more impressive on paper than in the field. Allied contingents were not up to strength, and the Duke of Cumber­ land found it one thing to rout the Highlanders at Culloden and quite another to stem the French advance under Marshal Saxe. Not only was he defeated at Lauffeldt but the French, at last turning their strength against the Dutch, were able to capture the great fortress of Bergen-op-Zoom. This meant that the United Provinces now lay open to their armies. No one could foresee what disasters might happen next year, a year in which, under the terms of the Septennial Act, a general election would have to be held. Moreover, by then the ministers might have to face not only the dislike of an unpopular peace but also a reviving parliamentary opposition prepared to make the most of their troubles. By the beginning of 1747 it was clear that the almost unnatural harmony between Leicester House and St James’s was breaking down, and that the Prince of Wales was beginning to collect a party round him once again. For this reason as well as because of the military situation, it seemed wise to hold new elections before the Prince could reorganize his supporters; when the session came to an end on 17 June, George II announced the dissolution of Parliament.