4 Charles II and the restoration (1660 - 1685)

‘The Restoration Settlement was a failure.’ 

Assess the validity of this view of the years 1660 to 1685.

What was the restoration settlement?

• Followed after the return of charles II to the throne in 1660, sought to resolved the political, religious and financial crises that had culminated in the CW, execution of charles I and over a decade of republican rule

• Initial years saw an improvement in stability but was limited in long term effectiveness 

How successful was the political settlement?; What was the Declaration of Breda (1660) and why was it politically significant?

It promised general pardon, religious toleration, dispute settlements via Parliament, and payment of army wages—helping Charles II return peacefully and restore monarchy without bloodshed.

What limitation did the Restoration Settlement have in terms of political power?

It failed to clarify the balance of power between Crown and Parliament; Parliament had control over taxation, weakening Charles II’s independence.

How did Parliament’s control over finance affect the monarchy post-1665?

Charles became reliant on parliamentary grants, which created tensions and reduced his ability to rule independently like past monarchs.

What did the Exclusion Crisis (1679–81) reveal about the Restoration Settlement?

It exposed unresolved tensions as Parliament tried to exclude James from succession, forcing Charles to dissolve Parliament and rule without it from 1681 until his death.

How did Charles II treat former supporters of the Interregnum?

He alienated republicans and political radicals by refusing to reconcile with them.

How did Charles use the Cabal Ministry politically?

He used the Cabal to deflect criticism and act as scapegoats, which eased tensions temporarily but left deeper issues unresolved.

How successful was the religious settlement?; What was the religious goal of the Declaration of Breda and was it fulfilled?

It promised religious toleration, but this was contradicted by later policies and never fully realised.

What was the Clarendon Code (1661–65) and its impact?

A harsh set of laws including the Act of Uniformity and Five Mile Act that reinforced Anglican supremacy and persecuted dissenters, failing to accommodate religious diversity.

How did Charles II’s personal beliefs affect religious stability?

He attempted to promote religious toleration through the Declaration of Indulgence (1672), which was opposed by Parliament and withdrawn, leading to the Test Act (1673) that excluded Catholics from office.

How did religious fears contribute to political instability?

The Catholicism of James and his wife, and the Popish Plot (1678), intensified public fears and fuelled the Exclusion Crisis.

How successful was the financial settlement?; How much income was Charles II promised by Parliament, and what was the reality?

Promised £1.2 million annually, but this was rarely met, leaving the Crown financially weak and dependent on Parliament.

What major financial reform did the Restoration Settlement fail to achieve?

It did not reform the outdated fiscal system, meaning the monarchy remained reliant on Parliament especially during war.

What was the Stop of the Exchequer (1672)?

Charles suspended repayment of loans to creditors for a year (though most were never fully repaid), damaging trust in royal finances.

Why was the Secret Treaty of Dover (1670) significant financially and politically?

It gave Charles money from France, helping him bypass Parliament temporarily, but worsened fears of Catholicism and damaged domestic trust.

Did the restoration settlement fail?

Yes, left unresolved tensions that led to future conflicts

To what extent did religious issues weaken royal authority in the years 1660 to 1681?

• The Restoration of Charles II in 1660 brought renewed hopes for religious stability, but instead it exposed deep divisions within the Political Nation over how to handle religious nonconformity.

• While religious conflict such as the fear of Catholic absolutism and the persecution of dissenters undoubtedly strained the king's relationship with Parliament and the public, it was not the sole factor

Religious issues; How did Catholicism at court weaken Charles II’s authority?

The presence of prominent Catholics—his mother (Henrietta Maria), wife (Catherine of Braganza), and mistress—fueled public fears of Catholic influence in government.

How did Charles II’s foreign alliances impact religious tensions?

His closeness to Louis XIV and support for France against Protestant Dutch allies worried Protestants in England.

What was the Treaty of Dover (1670) and why did it damage royal authority?

A secret treaty in which Charles agreed to convert to Catholicism in exchange for French money. It confirmed fears of Catholic absolutism and weakened trust in Charles.

How did James, Duke of York’s conversion in 1669 affect royal authority?

James openly became Catholic and refused to conform to the Church of England, triggering the Exclusion Crisis (1679–81), a major challenge to royal succession and authority.

How did laws like the Act of Uniformity (1662), Quaker Act (1662), and Five Mile Act (1665) affect religious stability?

These harsh laws against nonconformists, supported by Parliament, alienated dissenters and weakened support for the monarchy.

Relationship with parliament; Why did Charles II's promotion of religious toleration cause tension with Parliament?

Parliament was dominated by Anglican MPs who resisted toleration and pushed through restrictive laws like the Clarendon Code.

What was the Clarendon Code and what did it reveal about Charles' authority?

A series of laws enforcing Anglican supremacy and persecuting dissenters—showed Parliament's ability to override Charles' wishes.

What happened to Charles’ Declaration of Indulgence (1672)?

It was withdrawn after strong opposition from Parliament, showing the limits of Charles’ authority on religious matters.

How did religious divisions weaken Charles' own government?

The Cabal ministry, which included both Catholics and dissenters like Shaftesbury, collapsed after the Test Act (1673), reflecting internal instability and Anglican dominance.

What was the Popish Plot (1678) and how did it affect royal authority?

A false conspiracy alleging a Catholic plan to assassinate Charles. It intensified anti-Catholic sentiment and gave momentum to the Exclusion Crisis.

What was the outcome of the Exclusion Crisis (1679–81)?

Although Charles successfully dissolved Parliament and ruled without it, it deepened public suspicion and made his rule appear authoritarian.

Finance; How did Charles' financial dependence on Parliament impact religious issues?

Parliament used funding as leverage to push anti-Catholic legislation and oppose Charles’ toleration policies (e.g., Clarendon Code, rejection of the Indulgence).

Why did Charles sign the Treaty of Dover?

His financial need pushed him toward a secret deal with France, bypassing Parliament but damaging his reputation due to its Catholic implications.

What was the Stop of the Exchequer (1672) and its effect?

Charles suspended debt repayments, exposing financial mismanagement and making him appear weak and unreliable.

To what extent was it religious issues?

• Religious issues clearly weakened charles II’s authority especially through growing anti-catholic fears

• Also other factors like bad relationship with parl and his poor financial position

To what extent was Charles II personally responsible for the success of the Restored Monarchy in the years 1660 to 1681?

His skills were important but not solely responsible. He relied on ministers like Clarendon and Danby, exploited the Whig–Tory divide, benefited from Parliament’s early goodwill, and from public fear of another civil war.

religion; How did Charles II show pragmatism and flexibility in religious matters?

He recognised strong anti-Catholic sentiment in the PN and adjusted accordingly, seen in his acceptance of the Clarendon Code.

What did Charles II’s acceptance of the Clarendon Code demonstrate?

His willingness to compromise with Parliament to maintain political and religious stability.

How did Charles II respond to the Popish Plot of 1678 and the Exclusion Crisis that followed?

He successfully rode them out, showing political skill in preserving the monarchy.

What was the Declaration of Indulgence (1672) and how did it backfire?

A declaration of religious toleration, especially towards Catholics and dissenters. It sparked major opposition, forcing Charles to withdraw it and accept the Test Act 1673.

Advisors/ ministers; What role did Clarendon play in the success of the monarchy?

He helped Charles win over the Anglican establishment and acted as a scapegoat for early failures.

Who did Charles rely on after Clarendon’s fall?

The Cabal ministry, followed by the Earl of Danby—highlighting that success was not achieved independently.

How did the Cabal ministry support Charles II?

They helped him navigate Parliament, manage foreign policy, and handle religious tensions through a collective and flexible approach.

How did Charles use the emergence of Whigs and Tories during the Exclusion Crisis to his advantage?

He sided with the Tories, who supported hereditary monarchy, helping him protect his brother James’s right to succeed.

How did Danby help stabilise crown finances in the 1670s?

He introduced customs duties and subsidy taxes on landowners and improved management of royal revenues.

What role did the Cabal ministry play in financial matters?

They assisted in managing wartime expenses and financial negotiations, supporting Charles’s broader political aims.

Parliament; How did the early Restoration Parliament benefit Charles II?

The Cavalier Parliament (1661–1679) was largely royalist and cooperative, keen to restore traditional governance after the Interregnum.

What legislation strengthened the monarchy-Parliament relationship in early reign?

The Clarendon Code, which reinforced cooperation with Anglicanism.

Why did tensions grow between Charles II and Parliament over time?

Financial pressures and religious concerns, particularly about Catholicism and France’s influence (e.g., Treaty of Dover).

How did Charles respond to the Exclusion Crisis and growing Parliamentary opposition?

He dissolved Parliament multiple times to block exclusion bills, including dissolving the Oxford Parliament (1681) after just a week.

What did Charles’s repeated dissolutions of Parliament demonstrate?

His political ruthlessness and effort to preserve monarchy, while exploiting the Whig–Tory divide.

Finance and foreign policy; What limited Charles II’s political autonomy financially?

He lacked an independent financial base and depended on Parliamentary grants, which came with political conditions.

How did Parliament initially support Charles financially?

They gave him a generous settlement, eager to restore traditional governance.

What problems did Charles face financially later in his reign?

Lavish spending, costly wars, and insufficient funds led to measures like the 1672 Stop of the Exchequer, which harmed his credibility.

What was the Secret Treaty of Dover (1670) and why was it significant?

A secret agreement with France granting him money in exchange for Catholic sympathies—it gave him short-term independence but sparked fears of absolutism.

How did Charles's foreign policy damage his reputation?

The Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–67) ended disastrously. The Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–74) was unpopular due to its Catholic and absolutist associations.

How did Charles adapt his foreign policy after 1674?

He prioritised peace and stability, abandoning foreign adventures to reduce financial and political pressure.