Charles Townshend, 2nd Viscount Townshend, was a British Whig statesman. From 1714 to 1717, and again from 1721 to 1730, he served as Secretary of State for the Northern Department. He directed Britis
Portrait of Townshend attributed to Charles Jervas, c. 1724, dressed in Garter robes (National Portrait Gallery)
Charles Viscount Townshend, studio of Kneller. National Portrait Gallery NPG 1363. Probably painted soon after Townshend entered the House of Lords in 1697, but he does not wear his official robes. This is typical of the Kit-Cat Club portraits, which emphasise the like-mindedness and unity of the members rather than their different social positions
Elizabeth Pelham, first wife of Charles, painted by Godfrey Kneller (late 1690s)
Dorothy Walpole, second wife of Charles, by Charles Jervas
Whig Split
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The Whig Split occurred between 1717 and 1720, when the governing British Whig Party divided into two factions: one in government, led by James Stanhope; the other in opposition, dominated by Robert W
James Stanhope, a former military commander, led the government Whigs during the split.
After falling out with his father King George, his son George, Prince of Wales joined with the Opposition Whigs.
After reconciling with his Whig opponents, Sir Robert Walpole became the Prime Minister from 1721 to 1742.