Restoration Restoration

The Restoration was not a foregone conclusion when Cromwell died.

When the Rump returned the Commonwealth was revived. They quarrelled with the army. People feared a return of armed conflict.

Richard Cromwell did not have a close relationship with the army. He favoured civilian power rather than military power.

Richard Cromwell’s Parliament met in January He was forced to resign by April so his tenure as Lord Protector was VERY short ! The govts that followed were not successful

Radicals were hopeful of a return to godly rule Royalists responded through uprisings eg Booths Rebellion. General John Lambert put these down. Army in England was divided over what to do – also bickering about being unpaid.

General George Monck commanded the New Model Army in Scotland He marched his well disciplined army to London. He could have been another Cromwell

Monck’s Smart Moves Monck showed caution and a lot of political skill when he arrived in London. He had already convinced Army leaders to readmit Rump in Dec 1659 He negotiated with several groups during Jan-Mar 1660 and eventually made deal reversing Pride’s Purge. These MP’s outvoted ‘Rumpers’ dissolved PMT and called for general ‘elections’

People of London showed their support for elections by ‘roasting rumps’ around the city. While call for new elections was strong Monck opened negotiations with Charles Stuart – in exile in Netherlands.

Declaration of Breda April 1660 – Charles issues Decl. of Breda – act of reassurance over restoration of monarchy. –Smart political move as he dealt with tension without making too many promises –Offered Pardon to those who fought against him Degree of religious toleration To discuss land confiscation issue Back-pay owing to Moncks soldiers and offered them service in Royal army

New elections were held The new Convention Parliament declared for Charles ll on the 8 th May. Charles re-entered England on the 25 th May.

Convention PMT Began creating settlement. Legislation passed on many issues but NOT religion Group of 30, incl. M-G Harrison, not given pardon. Harrison was hanged and disembowelled. Cromwell’s body was dug up and decapitated ! No general policy of revenge against Parliamentarians ‘Roundheads’ Cavalier PMT called by CH II Tried to sort out religion. Decisions enforced by series of Acts

What was Restored? The settlement created by Convention PMT and enforced by Cavalier PMT represented a return to situation of 1641 after first session of Long PMT when machinery of personal rule was dismantled. Charles II was welcomed back with enthusiasm but there was a strong desire to make sure the personal rule used by his father did not return

The King was head of government again He could appoint civil servants, bishops, military commanders, peers, baronets and knights. King also head of restored Anglican Church, incl. bishops and Book of Common Prayer.

Charles ll was also supreme commander of the army under the Militia Acts of 1661 and 1662 This had been one of the causes of his father’s execution

House of Lords restored alongside Commons But the House of Commons was still subject to his veto Charles ll was still dependent on Parliament and the ruling class to perform their role as unpaid bureaucrats.

Role of traditional governing class restored as government decentralised. Triennial Act restored – PMT had to be called every three years. The monarchy was well and truly back. The situation was basically the same as it was in 1641 at the end of the first session of Long PMT.

What was not Restored? Prerogative courts – Star Chamber and Court of High Commission Finance remained issue for Charles II Leadership style of Charles I did not survive in his son – Charles II much more flexible and astute where his father was stubborn and at times, naïve.

However, not everything was sorted out. The very issues that had started the Civil War – the relationship between PMT and King was still unclear. The King being given back control of armed forces and militia seemed a bit trusting after what his father had done – perhaps this is an indication of how badly they wanted the monarchy back.

Charles was always short of money – though he was granted an annual sum of 1.2 million pounds It was intended to make the crown independent of PMT – but it didn’t work out that way It wasn’t enough to cope with demands –Paying off Army –Poor harvests –War with Dutch –Recovering from fire of 1666

Clarendon Code Clarendon Code was a series of Acts designed to help enforce the new religious order. Despite Charles II’s assurances in Decl. of Breda, restored Anglican Church was far from tolerant – any deviation from Anglican worship now seen as threat to govt. Named after Edward Hyde – chief minister to Charles II

Corporation ActAct of UniformityConventicle ActFive Mile Act Clarendon Code description

Who was Clarendon? Earl of Clarendon, Edward Hyde –leader of moderates who supported Charles I after PMT spilt in 1641 He had a touchy relationship with Charles II (wasn’t as free-spirited as the new king)

Clarendon Helped Ch II through transition from Republic back to monarchy but soon showed he wasn’t right man for job of chief minister His strict moral code didn’t suit the new king – who liked the perks of his position !! Clarendon opposed ChII’s ideas about getting support in PMT (essentially bribery) Marriage of Clarendon’s daughter Anne, to Charles’s brother James was interesting match. Even though Clarendon’s relationship with Charles was not strong, he was the focal point for any dissent towards the new monarchy. Was used as scapegoat by Charles for failures in Dutch war in

Religious issue settled? NO ! Almost 2000 ministers gave up their jobs rather than accept new Act of Uniformity. Survey in 1676 suggested around 100,000 Protestants remained outside Anglican church. Ch II issued Decl. of Indulgence 1662 ( Ch had promised toleration, but was faced with PMT intent on removing dissension

Restoration and Interregnum The Restoration was a reaction to the Interregnum and the experiments of government. Civilian goevernment returned - rule by army was not popular Role of army was downsized now New church very keen to get rid of dissention (toleration)

No repeats please The Restoration was designed to prevent the conditions of civil war from occurring again. It achieved this in the first instance, but in reality, the main issues remained unresolved.