His justification for this was that his consent, as heir presumptive, which was necessary for its validity, had not at the time been asked.

The act caused great odium to be attached to his name by all Liberals, both English and Continental, and it was disapproved of even by his old Tory associates.

None the less he soon won great popularity in his own dominions by his zeal, good-humour, and energy, and in 1840 he came to terms with the Estates.

A new Constitution was drawn up which preserved more of the Royal prerogatives than the instrument of 1833.

Few German princes suffered so little in the revolution of 1848.