The eldest son of George II, he lived in constant battle with his parents - his father described him as " a monster and the greatest villain ever born" - who he rarely saw. Educated in Hanover, he only came to England at the age of 21 and once there he courted out-of-favour Tory politicians, further angering his father. His first connection with cricket was in 1731 - three years after his arrival - but he was soon heavily involved in the game. He was an avid spectator of, and gambler on, games and in 1733 he was raising his own XI, and in 1735 he played his first match in Kensington Gardens. Two years later he captained a good side against the Duke of Marlborough. In 1749 he took a fearful blow on the side of the head playing at Clivedon, his Buckinghamshire home. It is widely believed that blow led to his death, but he actually did not die until more than 18 months later when a abscess in a lung burst while he was dancing.
Martin Williamson