As George IV left no heir, his brother William, a man of sixty-five,
now came to the throne. He had passed most of his life on shipboard,
having been placed in the navy when a mere lad. He was somewhat rough
in his manner, and cared nothing for the ceremony and etiquette that
were so dear to both George III and George IV. His faults, however,
were on the surface. He was frank, hearty, and a friend to the
people, to whom he was familiarly known as the "Sailor King."