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The Reluctant Mistress
The lukewarm love story of George II of Great Britain and Henrietta Howard
Henrietta was born in 1689, one of the eight children of Sir Henry Hobart, 4th Baronet. Sir Henry died in a duel while Henrietta was young, so her mother sought the support of her kinsman, Henry Howard, 5th Earl of Suffolk. Common for the time, the Earl arranged for Henrietta to marry his youngest son, Charles. Like many arranged marriages, the parties weren’t happy. Henrietta had married Charles to benefit her family and provide her siblings with security. Charles felt used by Henrietta and mistreated her. Charles was also prone to drunkenness and violence. Despite the disharmonious union, the couple managed to produce one son, Henry, who would become the 10th Earl of Suffolk.
The Howards, seeking to better their position in the world, sought employment at the court of Sophia, the Electress of Hanover. Sophia was the heiress to Queen Anne of Britain, and her family was poised to succeed to the throne. Henrietta ingratiated herself with Sophia, currying her favor with her family. At this court, Henrietta became well acquainted with Sophia’s grandson, George, and his wife, Caroline of Ansbach. When Sophia died, she was soon followed by her cousin, Anne. George I of Britain ascended the British throne, making George and Caroline the Prince and Princess of…
