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Revision as of 16:33, 14 December 2014
After Oliver Cromwell's death Richard Cromwell, was proclaimed Lord Protector in his father’s place and the ceremony of installation took place in Westminster Hall.
There was no revolt in the Army, no Royalist risings in the country. The Protectorate seemed to have achieved stability and the Royalist exiles were very downhearted. But Richard was a very different man from his father. He had never served in the Army and had no military experience. He had no particularly strong religious convictions and had spent most of his adult life as a country gentleman managing his estates. As such he did not understand the mentality of either the Army or the Independent congregations who had supported Oliver. He did not seem to appreciate the power the Army had over the Protectorate and he tended to favour the civilian members of the government over the Army Grandees.
Richard’s government was also bankrupt. The war with Spain, begun at the end of 1654, was expensive and had brought England little gain beyond the island of Jamaica and Dunkirk. High taxes were also undermining what little sympathy there was for the Protectorate in the country. Faced with bankruptcy, Richard began to think about ways of ending the Spanish War feared that their power and influence would be diminished if they were brought under civilian control and some of the Army demobilised. Richard was opposed by the same coalition of republicans and Commonwealthmen who had always opposed the Protectorate1659 witnessed a revival of Leveller activity and radicalism in the ArmyRichard attempted to dissolve the Council of Officers was blocked by officers in league with the republicans. At the same time, petitions came in from the Army and the country calling for the restoration of the Commonwealth. Finally, at the end of May, his government paralysed by opposition, Richard accepted the inevitable and resigned. The Protectorate was dissolved along with the upper house and the Army invited the surviving MPs ejected by Cromwell in April 1653 to return to Westminster and reconstitute the Commonwealth.
A document by Charles II agreeing to rule with the consent of Parliament in April 1660
Charles, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all our loving subjects, of what degree or quality soever, greeting.
If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which have so many years together been kept bleeding may be bound up [1], all we can say will be to no purpose; however, after this long silence, we have thought it our duty to declare how much we desire to contribute thereunto; and that as we can never give over the hope, in good time, to obtain the possession of that right which God and nature hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the Divine Providence [2], that He will, in compassion to us and our subjects, after so long misery and sufferings, remit and put us into a quiet and peaceable possession of that our right [3], with as little blood and damage to our people as is possible; nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than that all our subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs [4], by a full and entire administration of justice throughout the land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanted and deserved.
And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any, conscious to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by opposing the quiet and happiness of their country, in the restoration of King, Peers and people to their just, ancient and fundamental rights [5], we do, by these presents, declare, that we do grant a free and general pardon[6], which we are ready, upon demand, to pass under our Great Seal of England, to all our subjects, of what degree or quality soever, who, within forty days after the publishing hereof, shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall, by any public act, declare
their doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and obedience of good subjects; excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament[7], those only to be excepted.
Let all our subjects, how faulty soever, rely upon the word of a King, solemnly given by this present declaration, that no crime whatsoever, committed against us or our royal father
before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in question, against any of them, to the least endamagement of them,either in their lives, liberties or estates or
(as far forth as lies in our power) so much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of distinction from the rest of our best subjects [8]; we desiring and ordaining that henceforth all notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the re-settlement of our just rights and theirs in a free Parliament, by which, upon the word of a King, we will be advised.
And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and animosities against each other (which, when they shall hereafter unite in a freedom of conversation, will be composed or better understood), we do declare a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of religion, which do not
disturb the peace of the kingdom [9]; and that we shall be ready to consent to such an Act of Parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us, for the full granting that indulgence.
And because, in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been made to and by many officers, soldiers and others, who are now possessed of the same, and who may be liable to actions at
law upon several titles, we are likewise willing that all such differences, and all things relating to such grants, sales and purchases,shall be determined in Parliament [10], which can best provide for the just satisfaction of all men who are concerned.
And we do further declare, that we will be ready to consent to any Act or Acts of Parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction of all arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the army under the command of General Monk [11]; and that they shall be received into our service upon as good pay and conditions as they now enjoy.
Given under our Sign Manual and Privy Signet, at our Court at
Breda, this 4/14 day of April, 1660, in the twelfth year of our reign.
(Charles II’s Declaration from Breda, 4th April 1660)
Analysis
This is an ambiguous document but could it be anything other if you are trying to court a wide as possible constituency of support for the restoration. There was something for everyone in the declaration
- Religious toleration would have satisfied the puritans and maybe the Catholics believed it would extend to them
- Opponents would not be brought to justice or excluded from holding office as long as they swore loyalty to the king
- Royalists and Peers would be restored to office
- The king promised to bring peace back to the land
- The army would be paid
- Parliament was given the power to adjudicate on property disputes, the extent of the amnesty to previous opponents of Charles 1, etc.
This was Charles' best course of action politically he did not personally have to make difficult decisions and choices on these competing promises. The people had no choice but to accept the sovereign power of the Parliament as they had done for the past 10 years and there would be no opposition from within Parliament either.
Leading up to the declaration of Breda, there was somewhat of a power vacuum, with neither Parliament or the army in ascendency. By publishing the declaration he pre-empted any opportunity for the soon to be convened to Convention to set its own terms
- ↑ 1 Charles notes the desire of citizen to get back to normal and who see the past twenty years as an aberration
- ↑ 2 Charles asserts that he obtains his rights from God
- ↑ 3 Stuarts have a lawful right to the throne
- ↑ 4 Promises to rule under the rule of law and justice
- ↑ 5. Not only the King is ti be restored but the Lords and other bodies who had exercised their rights before the interregnum
- ↑ 6. Charles promises a broad and general pardon to those who had opposed the Royalists
- ↑ 6. A pardon so long as they affirm their loyalty. Some regicides did not for instance
- ↑ 7. Charles promises to not exact revenge on his opponents
- ↑ 8. Charles understands that Religion was the cause of the civil war and so that toleration must be a cornerstone of the religious policy
- ↑ 9. This is a difficult subject. Many royalist estates were confiscated and given to republicans who possessed them legally. Parliament said that they would decided the legitimacy of competing claims
- ↑ 10. Charles will make sure that soldiers are paid
Civil War |
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| Civil War Topics | | | Civil War Figures | | | Significant Dates (Documents, Terms and Battles) | |
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YEAR1649-03-17Act_Abolishing_the_Office_of_King0Act Abolishing the Office of King Act Abolishing the Office of King
Act Abolishing the Office of King
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 17 March 1649
1648-11-18Army_Remonstrance1Army Remonstrance Army Remonstrance
Army Remonstrance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 18 November 1648
1649-01-30Civil_War_-_Regicide2Civil War - Regicide Civil War - Regicide
Civil War - Regicide
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 30 January 1649, 6 December 1648
1648-12-06Civil_War_-_Regicide2Civil War - Regicide Civil War - Regicide
Civil War - Regicide
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 30 January 1649, 6 December 1648
1660-04-04Civil_War_-_Restoration3Civil War - Restoration Civil War - Restoration
Civil War - Restoration
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 4 April 1660
1642-06-01Commissions_of_Array4Commissions of Array Commissions of Array
Commissions of Array
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 June 1642
1645-01-10Execution_of_Archbishop_William_Laud5Execution of Archbishop William Laud Execution of Archbishop William Laud
Execution of Archbishop William Laud
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 10 January 1645
1649-01-30Execution_of_Charles_I6Execution of Charles I Execution of Charles I
Execution of Charles I
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 30 January 1649
1641-05-12Execution_of_Thomas_Wentworth7Execution of Thomas Wentworth Execution of Thomas Wentworth
Execution of Thomas Wentworth
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 12 May 1641
1647-12-24Four_Bills8Four Bills Four Bills
Four Bills
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 24 December 1647
1641-11-22Grand_Remonstrance9Grand Remonstrance Grand Remonstrance
Grand Remonstrance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 22 November 1641
1647-09-22Heads_of_Proposals0Heads of Proposals Heads of Proposals
Heads of Proposals
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 22 September 1647
1653-12-16Instrument_of_Government1Instrument of Government Instrument of Government
Instrument of Government
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 16 December 1653
1641-12-07Militia_Ordinance2Militia Ordinance Militia Ordinance
Militia Ordinance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 7 December 1641
1645-06-14Naseby3Naseby Naseby
Naseby
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 14 June 1645
1638-02-27National_Covenant4National Covenant National Covenant
National Covenant
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 27 February 1638
1646-07-01Newcastle_Proposals5Newcastle Proposals Newcastle Proposals
Newcastle Proposals
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 July 1646
1642-06-01Nineteen_Propositions6Nineteen Propositions Nineteen Propositions
Nineteen Propositions
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 June 1642
1628-06-07Petition_of_Right7Petition of Right Petition of Right
Petition of Right
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 7 June 1628
1649-09-11Petition_of_the_Leveller_Women8Petition of the Leveller Women Petition of the Leveller Women
Petition of the Leveller Women
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 11 September 1649
1647-10-01Putney_Debates9Putney Debates Putney Debates
Putney Debates
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 October 1647
1647-06-05Representation_of_the_Army0Representation of the Army Representation of the Army
Representation of the Army
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 5 June 1647
1640-12-11Root_and_Branch_Petition1Root and Branch Petition Root and Branch Petition
Root and Branch Petition
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 11 December 1640
1647-05-01Saffron_Walden2Saffron Walden Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 May 1647
1637-07-23Scottish_Prayer_Book3Scottish Prayer Book Scottish Prayer Book
Scottish Prayer Book
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 23 July 1637
1640-04-13Short_Parliament4Short Parliament Short Parliament
Short Parliament
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 13 April 1640
1639-01-01The_Bishop's_War5The Bishop's War The Bishop's War
The Bishop's War
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 January 1639
1642-01-04The_Five_Members6The Five Members The Five Members
The Five Members
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 4 January 1642
1648-02-22The_Second_Civil_War7The Second Civil War The Second Civil War
The Second Civil War
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 22 February 1648
1644-12-19The_Self_Denying_Ordinance8The Self Denying Ordinance The Self Denying Ordinance
The Self Denying Ordinance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 19 December 1644
1645-01-29Treaty_of_Uxbridge9Treaty of Uxbridge Treaty of Uxbridge
Treaty of Uxbridge
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 29 January 1645
1645-06-14
Civil War |
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| Civil War Topics | | | Civil War Figures | | | Significant Dates (Documents, Terms and Battles) | |
|
YEAR1649-03-17Act_Abolishing_the_Office_of_King0Act Abolishing the Office of King Act Abolishing the Office of King
Act Abolishing the Office of King
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 17 March 1649
1648-11-18Army_Remonstrance1Army Remonstrance Army Remonstrance
Army Remonstrance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 18 November 1648
1649-01-30Civil_War_-_Regicide2Civil War - Regicide Civil War - Regicide
Civil War - Regicide
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 30 January 1649, 6 December 1648
1648-12-06Civil_War_-_Regicide2Civil War - Regicide Civil War - Regicide
Civil War - Regicide
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 30 January 1649, 6 December 1648
1660-04-04Civil_War_-_Restoration3Civil War - Restoration Civil War - Restoration
Civil War - Restoration
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 4 April 1660
1642-06-01Commissions_of_Array4Commissions of Array Commissions of Array
Commissions of Array
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 June 1642
1645-01-10Execution_of_Archbishop_William_Laud5Execution of Archbishop William Laud Execution of Archbishop William Laud
Execution of Archbishop William Laud
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 10 January 1645
1649-01-30Execution_of_Charles_I6Execution of Charles I Execution of Charles I
Execution of Charles I
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 30 January 1649
1641-05-12Execution_of_Thomas_Wentworth7Execution of Thomas Wentworth Execution of Thomas Wentworth
Execution of Thomas Wentworth
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 12 May 1641
1647-12-24Four_Bills8Four Bills Four Bills
Four Bills
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 24 December 1647
1641-11-22Grand_Remonstrance9Grand Remonstrance Grand Remonstrance
Grand Remonstrance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 22 November 1641
1647-09-22Heads_of_Proposals0Heads of Proposals Heads of Proposals
Heads of Proposals
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 22 September 1647
1653-12-16Instrument_of_Government1Instrument of Government Instrument of Government
Instrument of Government
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 16 December 1653
1641-12-07Militia_Ordinance2Militia Ordinance Militia Ordinance
Militia Ordinance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 7 December 1641
1645-06-14Naseby3Naseby Naseby
Naseby
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 14 June 1645
1638-02-27National_Covenant4National Covenant National Covenant
National Covenant
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 27 February 1638
1646-07-01Newcastle_Proposals5Newcastle Proposals Newcastle Proposals
Newcastle Proposals
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 July 1646
1642-06-01Nineteen_Propositions6Nineteen Propositions Nineteen Propositions
Nineteen Propositions
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 June 1642
1628-06-07Petition_of_Right7Petition of Right Petition of Right
Petition of Right
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 7 June 1628
1649-09-11Petition_of_the_Leveller_Women8Petition of the Leveller Women Petition of the Leveller Women
Petition of the Leveller Women
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 11 September 1649
1647-10-01Putney_Debates9Putney Debates Putney Debates
Putney Debates
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 October 1647
1647-06-05Representation_of_the_Army0Representation of the Army Representation of the Army
Representation of the Army
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 5 June 1647
1640-12-11Root_and_Branch_Petition1Root and Branch Petition Root and Branch Petition
Root and Branch Petition
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 11 December 1640
1647-05-01Saffron_Walden2Saffron Walden Saffron Walden
Saffron Walden
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 May 1647
1637-07-23Scottish_Prayer_Book3Scottish Prayer Book Scottish Prayer Book
Scottish Prayer Book
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 23 July 1637
1640-04-13Short_Parliament4Short Parliament Short Parliament
Short Parliament
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 13 April 1640
1639-01-01The_Bishop's_War5The Bishop's War The Bishop's War
The Bishop's War
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 1 January 1639
1642-01-04The_Five_Members6The Five Members The Five Members
The Five Members
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 4 January 1642
1648-02-22The_Second_Civil_War7The Second Civil War The Second Civil War
The Second Civil War
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 22 February 1648
1644-12-19The_Self_Denying_Ordinance8The Self Denying Ordinance The Self Denying Ordinance
The Self Denying Ordinance
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 19 December 1644
1645-01-29Treaty_of_Uxbridge9Treaty of Uxbridge Treaty of Uxbridge
Treaty of Uxbridge
DateThis property is a special property in this wiki.: 29 January 1645
1645-06-14