Swift, Oxford, and the composition of Queen's speeches, 1710-1714

Abstract

• SWIFT'S involvement in the composition of Queen's speeches during the years of the Oxford ministry is almost a commonplace of his biography, and statements in the Journal to Stella provide the evidence for his importance in government circles. 'I was at Court, where every body had their Birthday Cloaths on, & I dined with Ld Treasr, who was very fine'. Swift records on 8 March 1713, 'He shewd me some of the Qu---'s Speech, wch I corrected in sevrall Places and penned the vote of Address of thanks for the Speech.'