Question 1

Why was the Restoration of Charles II so popular in 1660?

Accepted Answer

After the strict Puritan rule of Oliver Cromwell and the instability of the Commonwealth, many people wanted a return to traditional monarchy and the festive culture of Christmas and theatre. Charles II was seen as a unifying figure who could bring stability. His Declaration of Breda (1660) promised a general pardon, religious toleration, and payment of army arrears, which won over many former opponents.

Question 2

What was the Clarendon Code and why was it important?

Accepted Answer

The Clarendon Code was a series of four acts passed between 1661 and 1665, named after Lord Clarendon, Charles II's chief minister. It aimed to restore the authority of the Church of England and suppress nonconformists (Puritans, Catholics). The Corporation Act (1661) required all town officials to take Anglican communion; the Act of Uniformity (1662) made the Book of Common Prayer compulsory; the Conventicle Act (1664) banned religious meetings of more than five people outside the Church; and the Five Mile Act (1665) forbade nonconformist ministers from coming within five miles of a town. This code reinforced the Church of England's monopoly and caused resentment.

Question 3

How did the Great Fire of London change the city?

Accepted Answer

The Great Fire destroyed about 13,200 houses, 87 churches, and St Paul's Cathedral. It led to major rebuilding under Sir Christopher Wren, who designed 51 new churches and the new St Paul's. New building regulations required houses to be built of brick or stone, and streets were widened to prevent future fires. The fire also ended the Great Plague (as the fire killed the rats and fleas) and led to the first fire insurance companies.

Question 4

What was the Exclusion Crisis and why did it matter?

Accepted Answer

The Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681) was a political conflict over whether to exclude Charles II's Catholic brother James from the throne. The Whigs, led by the Earl of Shaftesbury, wanted to exclude James to prevent a Catholic monarch. The Tories, led by the Earl of Danby, supported the hereditary succession. Charles II dissolved Parliament three times to prevent the Exclusion Bill from passing. The crisis created the first political parties (Whigs and Tories) and highlighted the tension between Parliament and the crown.

Question 5

Why did Charles II dissolve Parliament in 1681?

Accepted Answer

Charles II dissolved Parliament in 1681 because the Whig-dominated Commons was pushing the Exclusion Bill to bar his Catholic brother James from the throne. Charles wanted to protect the hereditary succession and his own authority. He called a new Parliament in Oxford, but when it also seemed likely to pass the bill, he dissolved it and ruled without Parliament for the last four years of his reign, relying on French subsidies.

Question 6

What was the role of the Royal Society in Restoration England?

Accepted Answer

The Royal Society, founded in 1660, was a scientific institution that promoted experimental science and the sharing of knowledge. It was inspired by Francis Bacon's ideas and included members like Robert Boyle (chemistry), Robert Hooke (microscopy), and Isaac Newton (physics). The Society published the journal 'Philosophical Transactions' and conducted experiments on air pressure, gravity, and optics. It represented the shift from medieval superstition to modern science and was supported by Charles II, who was interested in science.

Restoration England, 1660–1685

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