Charles II Flashcards
What was Charles II ‘s religion?
He appeared to be Anglican but was secretly a Catholic
What was the Act of Free General Pardon, Indemnity and Oblivion 1660?
Based on the Declaration of Breda and said that he would pardon anyone who fought against him except for the regicides
In 1660 how much was Charles II given in subsidies?
£1.2 million
What was the Hearth tax?
A tax on fire places
it was aimed to effect the rich but also had an impact on bakers and blacksmiths
Who did he marry?
Catherine of Braganza, the daughter of the King of Portugal
Who was Charles II oldest son?
James Crofts, Duke of Monmouth
What was the Cavalier Parliament 1661-79?
The parliament following the Convention Parliament that was mostly made up of Cavaliers
They wanted to assert power and limit the king
What was the Tumultuous Act 1661?
It banned mass petitions
What was the Sedition Act 1661?
It said that you couldn’t accuse the king of popery or speak badly about him
What was the Militia Act 1661?
An Act that gave the king sole control of the army
What was the Savoy house conference 1661?
A religious meeting to come to a compromise between Anglicans and Presbyterians
Negotiations broke down
The Cavalier Parliament stepped in and imposed a more rigid church model
What was the Act of Uniformity 1662?
An act that stated unless you follow the prayers and rites of the Church of England you couldn’t work for the government
What was the Northern Rising 1663?
A plot where 50 republicans tried to overthrow the government but failed
It led to the Conventical and Five Mile Acts
Charles exaggerated the threat
What was the Conventicle Act 1664?
It stated that religious meetings of more then five people was banned
What was the Five Mile Act ?
It said that any preacher or teacher who didn’t agree to the Act of Uniformity couldn’t go within Five Miles of a town they had preached in
What was the Clarendon Code?
All of the religious changes that happened under the Earl of Clarendon
Who was Clarendon?
Edward Hyde the Earl of Clarendon was Charles’ principle advisor and Lord Treasurer
What happened to the Earl of Clarendon?
He was blamed for the failure of the second Dutch war
and forced into exile
when was the Great Fire of London?
1662
What was Charles’ problem with finance?
Although income had increased he was still in debt
MPs made investigations into missing money and blamed it on corruption
The Commons said they wouldn’t offer him more funds if he tried to broaden the church
Who were the most important members of the Cabal?
Clifford
Arlington
Buckingham
Ashley
Lauderdale
What was the Cabal 1667-74?
A private group of high councillors
It was the first time power was concentrated in one group and not a favourite
What were the problems with the Cabal?
They weren’t effective
Arlington and Buckingham didn’t go on
Charles used them to increase his own power
Why did the Cabal end 1674?
Buckingham was removed from office
What was the Declaration of Indulgence 1672?
Charles wanted to suspend anti catholic laws
Parliament wouldn’t allow this and said only they had the right to suspend laws
What was the Test Act 1673?
Anyone working in public service had to deny the Catholic doctrine
Who was the Earl of Danby 1674-78?
He was the advisor to the king after the Cabal
What were Danby’s aims
His policy’s were the same as most MPs
To make a more rigid church
No religious toleration
A pro Dutch, anti French foreign policy
He wanted James’ daughters to be raised by Anglicans and marry protestants
How did Danby improve finance?
He withdrew from the Third Ditch war
This decreased spending
Increased trade
Increased royal income
However the crown was still in debt because he couldn’t control Charles’ spending
What happened to Danby?
Evidence was found that he knew about Charles’ relationship with France he was accused of going against his own policies
Charles prorogued parliament and dismissed Danby to avoid trial
Parliament started a Bill of Attainder but Danby surrendered and was sent to the Tower of London
When did it become known that James was a Catholic?
In 1669
In 1673 he refused to accept the Test Act
Who did James marry?
15 year old Catholic Mary of Modena
What was the popish plot?
Titus Oates spread rumours of a popish plot
He said that Charles would be killed and James would take over as a catholic monarch with the help of France and Ireland
Why was the Cavalier parliament dissolved 1679?
Because of tensions
Who replaced the Cavalier Parliament?
The First Exclusion Parliament
What was the 1678 Test Act?
It banned Catholics from parliament including James
What were the aims of the First Exclusion Parliament?
To secure their power if there was a Catholic succession
To exclude James
How did Charles try to reduce tensions of the exclusion crisis?
He sent James to the Netherlands and the Duke of Monmouth to Scotland
What made James look worse?
People found out that he was negotiating with France and the Pope
What happened to James in 1679?
MPs wanted him impeached for treason
Shaftesbury pushed for the Exclusion Bill
How did Charles deal with the first exclusion bill?
He prorogued parliament and removed Shaftesbury from his privy council and replaced them with younger members
What was the Second exclusion parliament 1680?
Charles prorogued it seven times
They passed a second Exclusion Bill
They refused to give funds unless he accepted the bill
1681 he dissolved parliament
What was the Oxford parliament 1681?
Charles opened parliament in Oxford because it was a loyalist area
Whigs still wanted Monmouth as Monarch
He offered William and Mary as regents
He dissolved parliament and now relied on money from France
Who did Charles rely on for money after he dissolved parliament 1681?
Louis XIV of France
When did Charles die?
1685
