Cavalier Parliament

What is the Cavalier Parliament?

A Parliament dominated by Royalists and Anglicans, which sat until 1661 aimed to restore traditional monarchy while preserving limits on royal power.

When was the Cavalier Parliament formed?

8th May 1661

When was the Cavalier Parliament dissolved?

24th January 1679

What is the Act for the safety and preservation of His Majesty’s Governance 1661?

An act which cancelled the Civil War era of ordinances and made it illegal to accuse the King of encouraging property or to incite hatred against the monarchy.

What is a Balanced constitution?

The idea that power should be shared between Kings, Lords and Commons, preventing royal absolutism and parliamentary dominance.

What is the militia act?

Charles being supreme commander of armed forces which allows him to raise funds to support the militia.

What is the Licensing Act 1662?

Press censorship by requiring official approval for publications.

What is the Triennial Act 1664?

An agreement that Parliament should meet every 3 years but no enforcement.

What is the Hearth Tax 1662?

A tax on households based on the number of hearths which was deeply unpopular and sufficient.

Who is Edward Hyde?

A chief advisor and Lord Chancellor for King Charles.

What did Hydes do towards the Declaration of Breda?

He authorised the declaration by committing to religious toleration and meaningful cooperation between King and Parliament.

What is the Veneer Uprising?

An uprising lead by Thomas Veneer (Fifth Monarchists) to go against Charles’s government.

When was the Veneer Rising?

6th January 1661

Who joined in the Veneer Uprising?

• Baptists.

• Quakers.

• Monarchists.

Why did the Veneer Uprising happen?

They proclaimed that Christ was King and not Charles.

What was the electoral campaign?

It was the general election that would elect the Cavalier Parliament.

When was the electoral campaign?

March-April 1661

What are the factors of the Cavalier Parliament being able to restore the power of the Crown?

• Makeup of the Cavalier Parliament

• Control of law and order

• Armed forces and militia

• Parliament and constitution

What is the evidence of the Makeup of the Cavalier Parliament restoring the Crowns power?

It was Royalist and Anglican dominated and they were sympathetic to the monarchy.

What are the limitations of the Makeup of the Cavalier Parliament restoring the Crowns power?

The MPs did not want absolutism and there were suspicions of excessive royal power,

What is the evidence of the control of law and order restoring the Crowns power?

Licensing Act 1662 and anti-papery legislation.

What are the limitations of the control of law and order restoring the Crowns power?

There is no return of prerogative courts.

What is the evidence of the armed forces and militia restoring the Crowns power?

Militia acts gave Charles the control over armed forces which the Parliament were not able to challenge.

What are the limitations of the armed forces and militia restoring the Crowns power?

There was a fear of the army that remained.

What is the evidence of the Parliament and constitution restoring the Crowns power?

The Triennial act had weakened while Bishops were restored to the Lords.

What are the limitations of the Parliament and constitution restoring the Crowns power?

Parliament still had legislative authority and key reforms of 1641 remained.