TODAY marks the anniversary of the death of King George III who, at the time, was the longest-reigning monarch Britain had seen.
George III died at 8.38pm on January 29, 1820, after ruling for 59 years and 96 days. He was 81 years-of-age.

A statue of the King can be seen on the south side of the Bargate, standing in a niche, where he is dressed as a Roman general. The statue is made of hard wearing coade stone, produced at works in London run by Elizabeth Coade. 

Purchased for the town by the Marchioness of Lansdowne, the statue replaced an earlier one of Queen Anne, still housed within the Bargate - minus an arm, lost in VE Day celebrations in 1945. 

The statue was unveiled in 1809, a time when Southampton was a popular and wealthy spa resort, and included among her residents the author Jane Austen.

Today many people will know of King George III by the performances of Nigel Hawthorne, who starred as the King in the stage production and film adaptation of The Madness of King George III. He was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role in 1995. 

Daily Echo: All Saints Church built in 1799

The King’s descent into madness was thought to have been brought on by the genetic blood disorder called porphyria, although some historians claim it was more likely to have been a psychiatric illness.

Following one of his recoveries from illness in March 1789 Southampton staged a grand ball at the Long Rooms – today the site of The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex. Later that year he welcomed the King and Queen Charlotte, members of the Southampton Corporation entertaining the royal party at the Audit House in the High Street. This building has unfortunately been lost, destroyed during the 1940 Southampton Blitz, as were other notable Georgian buildings in the High Street, including All Saints Church where Jane Austen would attend services. 

Following one of his recoveries from illness in March 1789 Southampton staged a grand ball at the Long Rooms - today the site of The Quays Swimming and Diving Complex. 

Later that same year King George and Queen Charlotte were entertained by members of the Southampton Corporation at the Audit House in the High Street. This building has unfortunately been lost, destroyed during the 1940 Southampton Blitz, as were other notable Georgian buildings in the High Street, including All Saints Church where Jane Austen regularly attended services.

However, look closely in Southampton and you can see many existing Georgian and Regency buildings. 

Carlton Crescent and Rockstone Place were established close to the Polygon - itself an early Georgian development, built to rival Bath’s Royal Crescent in 1768 – whilst north of Above Bar elegant residences were built sharing contemporary names. These included Cumberland place – named after the Duke of Cumberland, George III’s youngest son – and Brunswick place – an alternative name for the House of Hanover.

The reign of King George III saw the American War of Independence and the culmination of the Napoleonic Wars. 

Daily Echo: Walter Taylor's home in Portswood

The American Wharf in Marine Parade – a Grade II listed building – incorporated a steam mill and bakery to produce ships biscuits for the Royal Navy during the American conflict. 

Nelson’s victory at Trafalgar in 1805 is said to have been aided by the work of Walter Taylor, who had a workshop close to the West Gate where he manufactured uniform sized tackle blocks. 

Ropes could move easily through the blocks enabling the English fleet to position itself more quickly to fire off its broadsides. 
Opposite the West Gate is the Duke of Wellington pub, with the turning point for the Duke’s victory at Waterloo in 1815 said to have been attributed to the invention of the exploding cannon ball by Southampton’s General Shrapnel. 

The rapid development of the town from the 1770s onwards necessitated appointment of Pavement Commissioners in 1790, at which point we see the introduction of street names and orders for householders and shopkeepers to keep the streets clear of obstacles and animals. 

Any unattended carts, barrows or animals might be impeded and taken to the Pound at Above Bar, where they would be chained to the prominent Pound Tree. 

The improvements generally in road conditions and communications saw an increase in coach traffic to the town, with coaching inns established in the High Street and Above Bar. 

In the year of King George III’s death we see Southampton’s first steam ship, the Prince of Cobourg,  operating on a route to Cowes; the start of a new era for the town that would see her develop as the country’s principal port. 

  • To find out more about Southampton during the early 19th century and Jane Austen, join SEE Southampton and the Nuffield Southampton Theatres for a ‘St Valentine’s Fayre and Jane Austen Talk’ on Sun February 2 between 12-4pm at NST City. Free entry, with activities for children, crafts and local produce stores.
  • Nigel Philpott is a tour guide with SeeSouthampton.co.uk .