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The Restoration of Charles II
The Restoration of Charles II
The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 was one of the most dramatic turning points in English history. After years of civil war, the execution of Charles I in 1649, and over a decade of republican rule under Oliver Cromwell and briefly his son Richard, England invited Charles II back to reclaim the throne. This lesson covers the events leading to the Restoration, the Declaration of Breda, and the early days of Charles II's reign.
The Road to Restoration
After the death of Oliver Cromwell in September 1658, his son Richard Cromwell succeeded him as Lord Protector. However, Richard lacked his father's authority and political skill. He was unable to manage the competing interests of the army, Parliament, and the people.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| September 1658 | Oliver Cromwell dies; Richard Cromwell becomes Lord Protector |
| May 1659 | Richard Cromwell resigns; the Rump Parliament is recalled |
| October 1659 | The army dissolves the Rump Parliament again |
| February 1660 | General George Monck marches from Scotland to London |
| April 1660 | Charles issues the Declaration of Breda |
| May 1660 | Charles II arrives in London and is proclaimed King |
By early 1660, the country was in political chaos. There was no stable government, the army was divided, and many people longed for the return of order and tradition that monarchy represented.
Key Figure: General George Monck was the Commander of the army in Scotland. He marched south to London in February 1660 and played a crucial role in arranging free elections, which led to the Convention Parliament that invited Charles II to return.
The Declaration of Breda (April 1660)
Before returning to England, Charles II issued the Declaration of Breda from the Netherlands on 4 April 1660. This was a carefully crafted document designed to reassure as many people as possible that the Restoration would be peaceful and inclusive.
The Declaration made four key promises:
| Promise | Detail |
|---|---|
| General pardon | Amnesty for almost all actions during the Civil Wars and Interregnum, except those Parliament specifically excluded |
| Liberty of conscience | Religious toleration, as long as it did not disturb the peace |
| Settlement of land disputes | Issues over confiscated Royalist lands would be settled by Parliament |
| Payment of army arrears | Soldiers would receive the wages owed to them |
Exam Tip: The Declaration of Breda is a common exam topic. You should be able to explain each of the four promises and evaluate whether Charles kept them. In practice, religious toleration was quickly restricted, and many land disputes were never fully resolved.
Charles II's Arrival and Coronation
Charles II entered London on 29 May 1660, his 30th birthday, to huge crowds and celebrations. The diarist Samuel Pepys recorded the joy in London, describing streets lined with cheering people, flowers, and tapestries.
The coronation took place on 23 April 1661 at Westminster Abbey, with elaborate ceremony designed to reassert the grandeur and legitimacy of the monarchy.
Key Features of the Early Restoration
- Regicide trials: Those directly responsible for the execution of Charles I (the regicides) were put on trial. Thirteen were executed, and others were imprisoned for life. The bodies of Cromwell, Ireton, and Bradshaw were exhumed and subjected to posthumous execution.
- Act of Indemnity and Oblivion (1660): This Act pardoned most people for actions during the Civil Wars, but excluded the regicides and certain others.
- Land settlement: In practice, most Royalists who had lost land did not get it back if it had been sold to new owners. The Crown and Church lands were restored.
Why Was the Monarchy Restored?
Several factors contributed to the Restoration:
- Failure of the republic: Neither the Commonwealth nor the Protectorate had achieved stable, lasting government. The army's interference in politics alienated many.
- Political exhaustion: After nearly two decades of instability, many people wanted a return to familiar forms of government.
- Monck's intervention: General Monck's decision to support free elections was a decisive practical step.
- Charles II's character: Charles was seen as moderate, charming, and pragmatic. The Declaration of Breda reassured moderates.
- Popular demand: There was genuine popular enthusiasm for the return of the King, as seen in the celebrations of May 1660.
Exam Tip: When explaining why the monarchy was restored, make sure you discuss multiple factors and try to reach a judgement about which was most significant. Examiners reward answers that weigh up different causes rather than simply listing them.
Summary
- The Restoration of 1660 ended over a decade of republican rule in England.
- Richard Cromwell's weakness, army divisions, and political chaos paved the way for Charles II's return.
- The Declaration of Breda promised pardon, religious toleration, land settlement, and payment of soldiers.
- Charles II arrived in London on 29 May 1660 and was crowned on 23 April 1661.
- The regicides were punished, but most people were pardoned under the Act of Indemnity and Oblivion.
- The Restoration succeeded because of the failure of republican government, Monck's intervention, Charles's pragmatism, and popular desire for stability.