Transcriber’s Note: Italics are enclosed in _underscores_. Additional notes will be found near the end of this ebook. THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND OF THE HOUSE OF HANOVER _VOL. I._ LONDON: PRINTED BY SPOTTISWOODE AND CO., NEW-STREET SQUARE AND PARLIAMENT STREET LIVES OF THE QUEENS OF ENGLAND OF THE HOUSE OF HANOVER BY DR. DORAN, F.S.A. AUTHOR OF ‘TABLE TRAITS’ ‘HABITS AND MEN’ ETC. FOURTH EDITION _CAREFULLY REVISED AND MUCH ENLARGED_ IN TWO VOLUMES VOL. I. [Illustration] LONDON RICHARD BENTLEY & SON, NEW BURLINGTON STREET Publishers in Ordinary to Her Majesty 1875 TO HENRY HILL, ESQ., F.S.A. ONE OF THE MOST ZEALOUS OF ANTIQUARIES AND MOST HOSPITABLE OF FRIENDS This New and Revised Edition is Inscribed BY THE AUTHOR CONTENTS OF THE FIRST VOLUME. _SOPHIA DOROTHEA, OF ZELL_, WIFE OF GEORGE I. CHAPTER I. GEORGE OF BRUNSWICK-ZELL AND ELÉANORA D’OLBREUSE. PAGE Woden, the father of the line of Brunswick--The seven brothers at dice, for a wife--D’Esmiers d’Olbreuse and his daughter Eleanora--Love-passages, and a marriage--A Bishop of Osnabrück--Birth of Sophia Dorothea 1 CHAPTER II. WIVES AND FAVOURITES. A ducal household--Elevation in rank of the mother of Sophia Dorothea--Births and deaths--A lover for Sophia--The Bishop of Osnaburgh an imitator of the _Grand Monarque_--Two successful female adventurers at Osnaburgh 11 CHAPTER III. THE BRUNSWICKER IN ENGLAND.