George I of Great Britain was the first monarch of the House of Hanover, reigning from 1714 to 1727. He became king after the death of Queen Anne, as he was a Protestant and a descendant of James VI and I, which aligned with the Act of Settlement 1701. His ascension marked the beginning of a new royal line in Britain. During his reign, George I faced challenges, including political tensions with the Whigs and Tories. He spent much of his time in Hanover, leaving the day-to-day governance to his ministers, which helped establish the modern role of the prime minister in British politics.