'Age of Anne' Summary

Edward Ellis Morris's 'Age of Anne' delves into the reign of Queen Anne, a period marked by both political turmoil and cultural flourishing. The book begins with the War of the Spanish Succession, a major European conflict that saw England, under the leadership of the Duke of Marlborough, rise to prominence. The war also paved the way for the Act of Union, merging Scotland and England into the United Kingdom. The text then shifts focus to the rise of Peter the Great, who seized control of the Gulf of Finland from Sweden and established St. Petersburg. The book explores the Jacobite threat to the Protestant succession, ultimately culminating in the ascension of George I to the throne. Beyond political events, 'Age of Anne' sheds light on the cultural and intellectual landscape of the era. It examines the satirical works of Alexander Pope, the influential essays of Joseph Addison's 'Spectator', and the enduring literary contributions of Daniel Defoe, including his seminal novel, 'Robinson Crusoe'. Through these narratives, Morris paints a vivid portrait of an age characterized by political upheaval, religious tensions, and significant cultural developments.