3. The Restoration Flashcards
What did Charles II issue when he returned to England?
The 1660 Declaration of Breda, which promised:
. To listen to Parliament’s advice
. Indemnity (people would not be persecuted for the actions they took during the civil wars, except those who signed Charles’s death warrant.
. Payment of the NMA’s wages.
. Settlement of disputed over land would be settled by Parliament.
. Toleration of religious beliefs.
How did Charles II and the Convention Parliament try and ensure political stability?
They issued the Act of Indemnity and Oblivion, which granted a general pardon to supporters of the Republican regime. They also restored land that had been confiscated to its original owners, peacefully disbanded the NMA and restored the Episcopalian Anglican Church.
Despite Charles’s promise of religious toleration, what was Parliament determined to do?
The ultra-royalist Cavalier Parliament were determined to restore the Anglican Church and persecute non-conformists.
What religious settlement did Parliament install?
. The 1661 Corporation Act - Allowed only Anglicans to hold office in local corporations. Many corporations were Puritan strongholds and so this Act weakened their power.
. The 1662 Quaker Act - Imposed severe financial penalties on Quakers.
. The 1662 Act of Uniformity - Required all Clergymen to accept Anglican doctrines, which meant hundreds of priests were driven from their livings.
. The 1664 Conventicle Act - Forbade dissenting assemblies of more than 5 people.
What did Charles II do in response to the religious settlement?
He tried to change some of the harsher aspects of the settlement during his reign but this only caused conflict between the Crown and Parliament.
What financial and governmental settlement did Parliament install?
Parliament used its most influential form of power, finance, to limit Charles. On the surface, Charles received a generous £1.2 million per year and in 1662 the Hearth Tax was introduced which was a tax on every fireplace in the country. However, it was not enough for him to become independent and so he was always dependant on subsidies from Parliament.
