Chapter 17 Flashcards
When was the Declaration of Breda published?
4 April 1660
Who produced the Declaration of Breda?
Charles Stuart
What did the Declaration of Breda state?
It stated that if Charles Stuart became king and monarchy was restored then he would:
- Rule through Parliament.
- Pay the army what they were owed.
- Pardons to nearly all his subjects.
- ‘liberty to tender consciences’.
When did the Convention Parliament assemble?
25 April 1660
Which way did the Convention Parliament sway ideologically?
Conservatism
When was Charles Stuart declared king?
8 May 1660
What was the reaction of the Political Nation to Charles Stuart’s Declaration of Breda?
They were largely in favour as it was a conservative document, promising to return to a style of rule like the one before the Civil Wars that was desired by many after the radicalism of the final years of the Interregnum.
What was the Convention Parliament?
A temporary parliament whose purpose was to restore monarchy.
What were the 7 issues the Convention Parliament had to deal with in order to restore monarchy?
- Indemnity
- Land settlement
- Disbanding the army
- Constitution
- Finance
- Religion
- Militia
Why was indemnity an issue that needed to be resolved?
Charles had promised pardons for Parliamentarians but not for those involved in regicide. Exactly who that was needed to be decided, and Parliament helped to do that.
After Parliament had helped decide who would not be pardoned, when was the Indemnity Act passed?
29 August 1660
What was the issue surrounding land when Charles was restored?
After 1649 the lands belonging to bishops, Royalists, Catholics, and the Crown were sold off. Charles wanted the Church and Crown lands back and left it to Parliament to resolve.
How did Parliament get the Church and Crown lands back after they had been sold off in 1649?
Many of the people the lands belonged to were not included in the Indemnity Act, meaning most of the lands could just be seized without trouble once to owner was prosecuted.
Why did the army disband without a fuss?
- The Indemnity Act had been passed meaning they would not be tried and convicted.
- Charles had promised to pay them what they were owed in the Declaration of Breda.
What happened to the bill being passed through parliament that would have confirmed parliamentary privileges and fundamental laws?
It was stalled in the House of Lords through Charles II’s influence and never became law, meaning Charles Stuart became king without any limitations on his power whatsoever.
What did the Convention Parliament grant Charles II to settle finances?
- Charles received tonnage and poundage for life.
- Certain customs duties.
- Charles would be granted £1.2 million a year for government costs.
What did Parliament hope Charles II could do by them granting him customs duties and tonnage and poundage for life?
‘live off his own’
Despite the seemingly generous financial settlement, what was Charles II dependent on?
Parliamentary grants, causing him to call parliament every year between 1660 and 1681.
What had the Declaration of Breda promised to religious nonconformists such as the Quakers or the Presbyterians?
An ‘indulgence’ to worship freely - this never materialised.
Did Charles II deliver on his promise to religious nonconformists?
No
What happened to the Church of England as it was restored under Charles II?
700 out of a total 9000 ministers were removed and the and the Church itself was not broadened to encompass any nonconformists.
Who retained the right to control the militia in the kingdom?
Charles II - he dissolved the Convention Parliament before they passed any legislation regarding the armed forces, so Charles therefore retained this prerogative right.
When was the Cavalier Parliament elected?
May 1661
What did the Act for the Safety and Preservation of His Majesty’s Person and Government do?
It cancelled all ordinances, which were any acts of parliament that had not received royal assent.
What acts of parliament still remained after the Act for the Safety and Protection of His Majesty’s Person and Government?
- Abolition of Star Chamber.
- Abolition of High Commission.
- Abolition of Ship Money.
- The Triennial Act.
- Exclusion of bishops from the Lords.
Even though the act excluding bishops from the Lords remained after the Act for the Safety and Protection of His Majesty’s Person and Government was passed, what happened to it?
It was then repealed allowing bishops back in to the Lords, and giving the Crown an influential group of supporters.
What did the Cavalier Parliament do to the Church courts?
They did not bring back the Court of High Commission, but they did bring back some others, further strengthening the Crown.
What did the Cavalier Parliament do to the Triennial Act and when?
1664 - they removed the requirement for the Crown to call a parliament every three years, and replaced it with the ‘hope’ they would do so ‘at least’ every three years.
How long did the Cavalier Parliament last?
1661-1679
When was the Licensing Act passed and by who?
1662, by the Cavalier Parliament.
What did the Licensing Act do?
Allowed the Crown to censor the press.
What did the Cavalier Parliament do with regards to petitioning?
They passed an act that prevented mass petitioning.
What gave Charles II sole control of all armed forces?
Militia Acts passed in 1661 and another in 1662 gave control of the armed forces to Charles II.
What else did the Militia Act 1662 give Charles II the ability to do?
Raise up to £70,000 a year for three years to support the forces raised.
What did the Act for the Safety and Protection of His Majesty’s Person and Government do with regards to popery?
It made it punishable to:
- Accuse the king of trying to bring in popery.
- Incite hatred of the monarch.
When was the Hearth Tax introduced?
1662
Why was the Hearth Tax introduced?
Because only £400,000 of the $1.2 million promised to Charles II annually by the Convention Parliament could be raised, so this was meant to bridge the gap - it did not do so.
Who dominated Charles II’s royal government?
Edward Hyde, the Earl of Clarendon.
What happened to the Church lands sold during the civil wars?
Restored to the church without compensation to those who had bought them.
After the Restoration, how was the church governed?
Episcopacy was restored - the rule of bishops.
What happened to the Book of Common Prayer during the Restoration?
It was restored and updated by Charles to include references to the wickedness of rebellion.
What positions did Edward Hyde hold between 1660 and 1667?
Lord Chancellor and Charles’ chief advisor.
Why was Clarendon given his roles after the Restoration?
- His loyalty to Charles in his exile, serving as his most trusted advisor.
- His capacity for hard work.
What were the personality differences between Charles and Clarendon that made Clarendon an effective advisor?
Charles had no interest in government whereas Edward Hyde was an assiduous worker with a great attention to detail.
What 3 areas were Clarendon’s weaknesses found?
- Personality
- Privy Council
- Parliament
Why was Clarendon’s personality a weakness to his position?
His business-like approach to everything and his power made him arrogant and dismissive of others, alienating the Political Nation and the king.
Why did the Privy Council pose a weakness to Clarendon’s position?
He was not able to get them on his side, again a result of his personality.
Why was Parliament a weakness in Clarendon’s position?
He did not manage his relationship with Parliament well and allowed opposition to develop. Opposition to the crown may have been inevitable, but as Charles’ chief minister Clarendon was held responsible.
What was the main weakness in Clarendon’s position?
His relationship with the king; Charles recognised his skill but disliked him as a person.