Primary sourceSpeech20 January 1715
The Way to Stable and Quiet Times
Richard Willis · 20 January 1715
A 1715 thanksgiving sermon by Richard Willis preached before King George I at St Paul's, marking his peaceful accession.
A thanksgiving sermon preached before George I celebrating his secure accession over the rival Pretender.
About this source
What it is
This is a sermon by Richard Willis, Bishop of Gloucester, preached before King George I at St Paul's Cathedral in London on 20 January 1714 (printed 1715). It was a day of thanksgiving for the King's peaceable possession of the throne, against the designs of the Pretender.
Why it matters
This sermon was delivered directly in the king's presence to mark his secure succession over rival claims from the Pretender (James Francis Edward Stuart). It shows how the Church of England publicly backed George I's rule and how the new king's legitimacy was presented to the public through religious ceremony.
Look closer
- Why would the king's supporters want a public day of thanksgiving for his "peaceable" accession?
- What does the mention of "the Pretender" tell you about threats to George I's throne?
- How might this sermon's purpose affect what it chooses to say and not say about the succession?
This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of George I on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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