An Answer to a Question that Nobody thinks of, viz., But what if the Queen should Die?

"An Answer to a Question that Nobody thinks of, viz., But what if the Queen…?" by Daniel Defoe is a political pamphlet written in the early 18th century. This work addresses the concerns regarding the stability of the Protestant succession in Britain in light of the Queen's mortality. Defoe aims to provoke thought on the implications for the nation's future if the Queen were to die, particularly concerning the potential rise of the Jacobite cause and Catholic influence. In this pamphlet, Defoe systematically examines the political landscape of his time, arguing that while the current government operates under the premise of loyalty to the Queen, there exists a significant level of uncertainty and risk regarding the Protestant succession. He highlights the dangers posed by both internal factions and foreign powers, emphasizing that the death of the Queen could lead to chaos, contestations for the throne, and potentially the re-emergence of a Catholic monarchy. Defoe's exploration serves as both a warning and a call to action for his contemporaries, urging them to consider strategies for safeguarding their religious and civil liberties in light of the Queen's inevitable mortality. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Daniel Defoe was an English novelist, journalist, merchant, pamphleteer and spy. He is most famous for his novel Robinson Crusoe, published in 1719, which is claimed to be second only to the Bible in its number of translations. He has been seen as one of the earliest proponents of the English novel, and helped to popularise the form in Britain with others such as Aphra Behn and Samuel Richardson. Defoe wrote many political tracts, was often in trouble with the authorities, and spent a period in prison. Intellectuals and political leaders paid attention to his fresh ideas and sometimes consulted him.