Danby, Whigs, Tories and the Popish Plot

When was The Earl of Shaftesbury replaced by Viscount Thomas Osborne?

November 1673

What were Danby's aims?

He was committed to the Church of England and opposed to toleration of Catholics or dissenters. He advocated for a pro-Dutch, anti-French foreign policy.

When did Danby dominate political life?

1674-78

Why could Danby not get Charles to adopt an anti-French foreign policy?

Charles was deeply reliant on Louis XIV for finance which they did not want to reveal.

Danby's influence in constructing a court party

He used Charles' patronage to create a 'Court' party, using this to manage Parliament, giving rise to opposition and encouraging the formation of a 'Country' party.

When did Danby introduce the Test Bill?

April 1675.

What was the Test Bill?

All office holders and MPs had to swear that the taking up of arms was unlawful and they should not seek to alter the government of the Church and the State.

Why was this significant?

It was defeated by Arlington and Shaftesbury and viewed as an attempt to enact absolute government.

The influence of Danby on finance

Between 1674 and 1677, royal income averaged £1.4 million a year. However, Charles' profligacy was still an issue as crown debt rose by £750,000 between 1674-79.

What was the aim of the court faction?

To strengthen the monarchy.

What were the aims of the country faction?

Defend parliamentary rights against the Crown's prerogative power and defend Protestantism at home and abroad. It opposed Catholicism and absolutism.

When did the terms Tory and Whig come into use?

1679-80 with the Exclusion Crisis but the parties had been forming since the Third Anglo-Dutch War.

What were the Tories made up of?

Many of the gentry,and Anglicans who supported monarchy over Parliament.

Who were the Tories?

They were supported by the Anglican Church, believed firmly in the Restoration and felt that their influence was best maintained by preservation of the monarchy.

What were the Tories' beliefs concerning God and divine right?

They felt that the existing political, ecclesiastical and social order was divinely ordained and resisting to kingly authority was against the law of God.

What were the Whigs made up of?

Powerful landed aristocracy, rising class of merchants and financiers, and the lower middle class.

What did the Whigs believe?

That the King's power derived from Parliament (parliamentary sovereignty), toleration to dissenters and a hatred of Catholicism.

What did Danby do to 'manage' Parliament?

He distributed government money and patronage to buy the attendance of the naturally loyal backbenchers - supporters of the King.

What did Danby do - religious policy?

He engaged in the prosecution of Protestant nonconformists to appease the Cavalier majority.

Danby and fears of absolutism

He offended many moderate Anglicans with his prosecution, his strengthening of the Church, creation of a 'Court' party with the corruption of MPs gave rise to fears of 'popery and arbitrary government'.

What were Danby's failures in terms of pro-French foreign policy?

20,000 English soldiers still fought alongside the French after 1674 which led to the idea that Danby was creating a permanent standing army - absolutism.

Why did the Popish Plot take place?

Allegations of a Jesuit conspiracy to murder Charles II, restore the Roman Catholic faith as the state religion and establish a French-backed tyranny under James, Duke of York.

What happened in July 1678?

Charles prorogued Parliament and refused to disband the army, Parliament doubted that Charles would actually break his links with Louis and would use the army to install absolutism.

What did Titus Oates state and what were the consequences?

That the King as to be poisoned by the Queen's doctor, leading to the introduction of absolutist government. Israel Tonge took this to the Privy Council. They then ordered the arrest of all the leading Jesuits accused.

How did Charles help to calm down the anti-Catholic witch-hunt?

He reissued anti-Catholic proclamations, encouraged a sharp rise in the prosecution of recusants and gave his assent to a new Test Act.

What led to Danby's dismissal?

December 1678 - Ralph Montagu presented letters in the Commons which showed that Danby knew of Charles' continued relations with Louis XIV. Parliament voted to impeach Danby.

What did this lead to?

Charles dissolved the Cavalier Parliament on the 24th January 1679, dismissing Danby two months later who was then committed to the Tower of London for the next 5 years.