During the lifetime of Charles Dickens, who was born in 1812 and died in 1870, England was ruled by a series of monarchs from the House of Hanover. The key figures were:
- George IV (1820-1830): He became king after the death of his father, George III.
- William IV (1830-1837): Known as the ‘Sailor King’, he ascended to the throne after George IV.
- Victoria (1837-1901): Her reign began in 1837, just a few years after Dickens started publishing his works and continued long after his death.
Queen Victoria’s era was characterized by significant change, including the expansion of the British Empire, industrialization, and social reforms. Dickens wrote extensively during this time, and his works often reflected the social conditions and issues of the period.