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In 1819 the poet Shelley had already written his epitaph: "An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying king." However, recent historians portray a shrewd, cultivated, and well-meaning individual who was widely read and well informed about English history and constitutional law. Contrary to earlier interpretations recent scholars say he did not bend constitutional rules nor did he pursue policies leading to the subversion of British and colonial liberties. The kingship continued to function under George III very much in the same way as under his grandfather, George II.<ref>Ian R. Christie, "George III and the Historians - Thirty Years On." ''History'' 1986 71(232): 205-221. </ref>
In 1819 the poet Shelley had already written his epitaph: "An old, mad, blind, despised, and dying king." However, recent historians portray a shrewd, cultivated, and well-meaning individual who was widely read and well informed about English history and constitutional law. Contrary to earlier interpretations recent scholars say he did not bend constitutional rules nor did he pursue policies leading to the subversion of British and colonial liberties. The kingship continued to function under George III very much in the same way as under his grandfather, George II.<ref>Ian R. Christie, "George III and the Historians - Thirty Years On." ''History'' 1986 71(232): 205-221. </ref>
==Benjamin Franklin on George III==
"I was invited to his majesty's royal court on the summer of 1774. Having arrived in England, that green and pleasant sceptered isle, I was informed that the King had a recent bout of 'head madness'. Being a practitioner of the medical sciences, I was given the opportunity to operate on his majesty. After his highness had fallen asleep, I snuck into his bedroom with his chamber servants and began to drill a small hole into his skull to let out the demons. However, following the stoppage of the rather profuse bleeding, his majesty continued to act in the manner of a madman. My only option was to strike him on the head with my walking stick, to prevent his knowledge of my being there. Nevertheless, I was informed back in the colonies that the King was indeed aware of what had been done, and I could not help but wonder if this had had some impact on his attitude towards the thirteen colonies, and our independence movement."
==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==