KING GEORGE IV (GREAT BRITAIN) - DOCUMENT FRAGMENT SIGNED - HFSID 152800

KING GEORGE IV of the UNITED KINGDOM
His signature as King, clipped from the upper corner of a document
Document Fragment signed: "George R[ex]" as King of the United Kingdom. 7x3, front and verso. Clipped upper left corner of a document beginning: "Whereas it has been represented to us that ..." Handwritten particulars have been crossed out. KING GEORGE IV (1762-1830, reigned from 1820) served as Regent of Great Britain from 1811, when his father, George III, was declared insane. As Prince of Wales he had very poor relationships both with his father, and with his wife, Princess Caroline of Brunswick, whom he forbade to attend his coronation and tried to divorce. As Regent, however, his choice of cabinet helped conclude the Napoleonic Wars (1815). War's end brought both peace and depression when government demand for supplies ceased. Prices fell and thousands became unemployed, instigating the first labor unions. He took steps to curb the depression with such acts as the Corn Law (1815). During his reign as King of Great Britain & Ireland (1820-1830), George IV's appreciation of the arts led to the development of Regent Street and Regent's Park and the restoration of Windsor Castle. He also initiated penal code reform and abolition of the death penalty (1822). George became increasingly unpopular, due in part to his lavish expenditures. His visit to Scotland in 1822 was the first by a British monarch since 1650. Toned and lightly creased. notch at upper left corner. 3 vertical fold creases. Pencil note (unknown hand) on verso. 2 minor stains on verso no show through. Irregularly cut. Otherwise fine condition.