How accurate is it to say that religious nonconformity survived persecution during the Restoration (1660–88) mainly due to the actions and attitudes of Charles II and James II? (2017) Flashcards
Charles II and James II
Charles II demonstrated some sympathy for non-conformists by attempting to suspend the Act of Uniformity in 1662
Charles II and James II
In 1672 Charles II suspended the Conventicle Act and other persecuting laws by means of a Declaration of Indulgence which permitted dissenters the freedom not to attend church and to hold their own licensed gatherings
Charles II and James II
In 1667 Charles II appointed a group of advisers, including two closely associated with moderate Puritanism, in order to challenge the High Church Anglicans and their parliamentary allies, for control of religious policy
Charles II and James II
James II issued a Declaration of Indulgence in 1687 allowing dissenters to worship freely and a further Declaration in 1688 allowed them to meet without a specific licence.
other factors
In 1682-83, the failure of Exclusion, the Rye House Plot and the collapse of Whig support led Charles II to allow a renewed attack on dissent in a campaign of persecution which lasted from 1683-86
other factors
Non-conformity survived due to the commitment of dissenters to their beliefs and their need to hold on to them e.g. George Fox
other factors
Various non-conformist sects were well established by 1660 which made them more difficult to uproot during the Restoration
other factors
The level of support given by sympathisers who were opposed to measures designed to remove the dissenters e.g. the Whigs and influential families such as Hewleys and the Stricklands
other factors
The opponents of religious non-conformity made a number of mistakes e.g. by defining uniformity on a narrow basis, the number and range of dissenters was increased and therefore more difficult to combat.
