George III

Engraving by Henry Meyer, 1817

**George III** is the King of the United Kingdom from 1760 to 1820. However, in late 1810, George became very ill and unable to reign on his own, causing his eldest son to be instated as his regent.

## Physical description

George is an old man with gnarled fingers and blind eyes. His fingernails were cut very short to prevent him from hurting himself.

## Biography

### History

When Kell Maresh started his position as ambassador for Red London, he gave George a lin, an Arnesian coin to prove that he was truly from another London. This satisfied George and their professional relationship began.

### The Traveler

On October 15, 1819, Kell pays George his monthly visit at Windsor Castle and reads out Emira Maresh's note to him, expanding it as he goes on.

After Kell finishes reading, George apologizes for not having been able to write a letter himself. Kell politely expresses his understanding; he is about to go when George calls him back to ask for a new coin: His old lin as "lost" its traces of magic already. Reluctantly, Kell exchanges George's coin and leaves to meet George's son at St. James's Palace.

### Death

On January 29, 1820, George III dies at Windsor Castle, and is laid to rest in St. George's Chapel. Three weeks later, George is "visited" by Kell for the last time. Kell pays him his respect and leaves a warm coin on the king's gravestone.

## Possessions

* **Red London coin:** Since their first meeting, Kell would always bring George a coin from Red London.

## Appearances

* *A Darker Shade of Magic*
* *A Gathering of Shadows* (mentioned only)

## Titles and styles

* **June 4, 1738 — March 31, 1751:** *His Royal Highness* Prince George
* **March 31, 1751 — April 20, 1751:** *His Royal Highness* The Duke of Edinburgh
* **April 20, 1751 — October 25, 1760:** *His Royal Highness* The Prince of Wales
* **October 25, 1760 — January 29, 1820:** *His Majesty* The King

## Trivia

* General
* Etymology

* To him, Red London smells of roses.

* George III was once convinced by Kell that he could fly. To try out his "ability," George almost walked out of a window in the third floor.

### Out of Universe

* He was based on the actual historical figure, King George III.
* The *Shades of Magic* books are set in 1819/20 because V. E. Schwab, i.a., wanted to explore George III—the "Mad King."

- "George" comes from the Greek Γεωργιος (*Georgios*) which, in turn, originated from the Greek word γεωργος (*georgos*) meaning "farmer" or "earthworker."

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4  George III on Wikipedia
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 *A Darker Shade of Magic*, I: The Traveler, I
3. ↑ *A Gathering of Shadows*, III: Changing Tides, I-II
4. ↑ *A Darker Shade of Magic*, I: The Traveler, II
5. ↑ "I wanted a time period in the midst of the Industrial Revolution, but I also thought it would be fun to play with the mad king, George III, who, in his infirmity was locked away. I thought, what if he wasn't quite as senile as people thought? What if he'd just had a taste of magic?"
(V. E. Schwab on Tumblr)
6. ↑ "I knew I wanted an historical setting, and one pre-technology, but it was actually the mad King George III that drew me to the early 19th century. I thought he would be the kind of man to appreciate some magic, even if nobody believed it. There was just something about Kell and George III--it gave us the kind side of this magician, who was fond enough of this ailing king."
(V. E. Schwab on Goodreads Q&A)
7. ↑ Behind the Name — George