State Papers Online: Eighteenth Century, 1714-1782:
Uncover the details of British domestic politics and society in the Age of Enlightenment
Researchers will find a wealth of once classified detail about the reigns of the three Georges, including behind-the-scenes accounts of the turbulent events of George I’s reign (the Jacobite uprisings); the development of cabinet government; the ascension of George II and the consolidation of Whig supremacy; the riots surrounding libertarian politician John Wilkes; and the inept handling of the colonies that marred the early years of George III’s reign.
Along with the many internal and external threats to Hanoverian rule, users can also search and browse across a rich range of reports, petitions, and correspondence relating to the general administration and constitution of England; law and order; trade and shipping; and the founding of an empire abroad that extended to North America in the west and the Indian subcontinent in the east. The collection is invaluable for uncovering the routines of government, which rarely feature in the major narratives of the eighteenth century — for example, the management of Privy Council business, especially appointments, minutes of cabinet meetings, and excise and revenue. Consequently, the collection contains enormous potential for fresh historical discoveries.
Part I contains documents that provide evidence of the extent and nature of decisions taken by government and, more importantly, who was making those decisions. The records serve to illustrate the personal style of the secretaries of state who, with the chancellor of the Exchequer, controlled almost the entire life of the nation. Researchers can examine the different ways in which the three Hanover monarchs conducted the business of monarchy and also develop perspectives on the king’s changing role in political and administrative history.
Key themes include:
- Political liberty and trade
- Britain's role as dominant colonial power
- Urban growth and industry
- Parliamentary monarchy
- Rise of the professional classes
- European Enlightenment
- Development of press and political associations
- Foreign travel and economic migration
Key events include:
- 1716: The Failure of "The Fifteen" Jacobite rebellion
- 1720: The South Sea Bubble, the eighteenth century's most significant financial crisis
- 1722-1723: The Atterbury Plot
- 1743: The Battle of Dettingen in the War of Austrian Succession
- 1746: The Battle of Culloden in the second Jacobite Rising
- 1756: Start of Seven Years' War with France
- 1760: Death of George II and succession of George III at age twenty-two
- 1773: The Boston Tea Party
- 1775: Start of the American War of Independence
- 1783: Ratification of the Treaty of Paris, which acknowledged the independence of American colonies
Manuscript series include:
- SP 35: Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George I, 1714-1727
- SP 36: Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George II, 1728-1760
- SP 37: Secretaries of State: State Papers Domestic, George III, 1760-1783
- SP 38: Signet Office: Docquets
- SP 41: Secretaries of State: State Papers Military
- SP 42: Secretaries of State: State Papers Naval
- SP 43: Secretaries of State: State Papers Regencies, George I and George II
- SP 44: Secretaries of State: State Papers: Entry Books
- SP 45: State Papers Office and Other Bodies: Various Administrative Records, Precedents and Proclamations
- SP 46: State Papers Domestic: Supplementary
- SP 47: Secretaries of State: State Papers Channel Islands, 1733-1781
- SP 48: Secretaries of State: State Papers Isle of Man
- SP 54: Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland Series II, 1714-1783
- SP 55: Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland: Letter Books
- SP 56: Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland: Church Books
- SP 57: Secretaries of State: State Papers Scotland: Warrant Books
- SP 63: State Paper Office: State Papers Ireland, Elizabeth I to George III
- SP 67: Secretaries of State: State Papers Ireland, Entry Books
- PC 2: Privy Council: Registers
- PC 4: Privy Council: Minutes and Associated Papers
- PC 5: Privy Council Office: Plantation Books
- PC 6: Privy Council: Miscellaneous Books and Correspondence Registers
- PC 13: Privy Council Office: Sheriffs' Lists
Gale Primary Sources | Gale Review Blog
Archives Explored | Sign up for Updates
Additional Details
subjects covered
- British Studies
- East European & Russian Studies
- Western European Studies
- Humanities & Social Sciences
- Law & Legal Studies
- Religion & Philosophy
- U.S. History
Platform Features & Tools
Cross-Search Capability
Search across State Papers Domestic, Foreign, Ireland and the registers of the Privy Council from 15th to 18th centuries.
Comparative Analysis
View two manuscripts side by side to compare drafts or handwriting.
Multiple Ways to Explore
Search across the Calendar entries and link to the manuscript, or browse each manuscript volume folio by folio.
Reviews & Testimonials
"State Papers Online is a very rich resource, and for those people fortunate enough to work or study at subscribing institutions, might prove not only to be a useful research tool, but a valuable resource for teaching undergraduates in History, English, and related subjects." Read more>>
