Charles II and the Restoration - 1660 - 1685 Flashcards
Charles II (merry monarch)
eldest son of Charles I
King 1660-1685
Catherine of Braganza
When was the restoration
23rd April 1661
Declaration of Breda
Terms
Proclamation by Charles to people where he promised;
- indemnity act - pardons for civil war crimes except regicide
- traditional monarch
- Elections to create convention parliament from representatives of political nation
- to pay army and settle land disputes
The Popish Plot
Titus Oates - said plot kill Charles for James to rule
James catholic heir concerns
led to 2nd test act
second test acts
Excluded Catholics from parliament
Exclusion parliament
dismissed Cavalier in 1679 aim to secure rights and freedom in Catholic succession
Exclusion Bill
Bypass James for Daughter Mary and William
Rejected Bill and 600k and dissolved parliament 1681 Jan
march 1681 new parliament tried to pass again
Charles funding of £40k from France didnt need parliament
Tories v Whigs Exclusion Bill
Whigs wanted to pass
Tories rejected due to Divine Right of Kings
Cavalier Parliament
May 1661 - 1679 longest running parliament
made king reliant on money
limitations from long parliament (triennial act) remained
How the Cavalier strengthened Charles
Licensing act 1662 - censored press
Mass petitioning banned
1661/62 acts gave Charles control over army and power to raise £70k for 3 years to support army
Act for Safety and Preservation of his majesty’s person and government - Popery illegal
parliament couldn’t make laws without King
The Earl of Clarendon
Main adviser 1660-67
forced to resign august
wasnt liked used as scapegoat
The Cabal
New advisors - Clifford, Ashley, Buckingham, Arlington, Lauderdale
Arlington most influential, often clashed
wanted more toleration and ally with France
Deterioration of Cabal relationship
1672 - King / cabal worsened high tensions limited Finance inability to fight European war religious differences
Charles Death/ James
1685, James heir
similar to father intolerant
wanted to end test acts (laws against Catholics)