ABSTRACT
George III is known for two things—his madness and his loss of the American war of independence. Indeed, some children’s history books in England refer to him simply as “the mad king who lost America”. Historically, however, the king’s loss of the colonies is much more definitive than his “madness”. In addition to worries over George’s physical and mental well-being, there was widespread public concern in the periods of illness for the health of England in general. George’s son Frederick, Prince of Wales, was a supporter of the Whig Party, the opposition to the Tory Party which had gained power under George’s rule. Miranda’s oddly cursory treatment of George’s rather famous madness is surprisingly characteristic of many popular culture versions of the king. Indeed, for as much speculation as there has been among historians about the causes and symptoms of George’s historical disability, details are scarce.
