CHAPTER II 



1711 — 1837 



ASCOT: ITS INSTITUTION AND EARLY GROWTH 



THE eighteenth century had just begun when William 

 of Orange died, and Anne, the second daughter of 

 James II., became Queen of England. On her accession 

 she pledged herself to continue the policy of the previous 

 reign, and the war that was then being waged with France 

 was continued. The peace of Ryswick into which 

 William HI. had forced Louis of France was but the 

 preparation for a greater struggle, and when Anne came 

 to the throne a fresh cause for war had been found in the 

 claims of Louis to the Spanish throne on behalf of his 

 grandson. Germany and Holland sided with England in 

 the Grand Alliance against the French King, and the Duke 

 of Marlborough led the allied armies. His victories at 

 Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde, and Malplaquet humbled 

 the power of France, and led to the Treaty of Utrecht, 

 which restored peace to Europe. At home the struggle 

 for supremacy between Whigs and Tories caused great 

 insecurity in the affairs of the nation. Although at heart 

 a Tory, Anne had to support the Whigs, who were in 

 favour of the war ; but the Tory influence gradually in- 



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