English Restoration

Definition

The English Restoration refers to the period in English history following the return of King Charles II to the throne in 1660 after the English Civil War and the Interregnum. This period marked the restoration of the monarchy and the reestablishment of the Church of England as the state church.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. King Charles II, the son of the executed King Charles I, was restored to the throne in 1660 after the end of the Interregnum.
2. The Restoration period saw the reestablishment of the Church of England as the state church, and the persecution of non-conformist religious groups.
3. The Cavaliers, who had supported the monarchy during the English Civil War, regained power and influence during the Restoration.
4. The Whigs, a new political faction, emerged during the Restoration and began to challenge the power of the monarchy.
5. The Restoration led to the expansion of English colonies in North America, including the establishment of the Carolinas and the reaffirmation of the Virginia colony.

Review Questions

• Explain the significance of the English Restoration in the context of the English Civil War and the Interregnum.
  • The English Restoration marked the end of the Interregnum, a period of republican rule in England following the execution of King Charles I during the English Civil War. The return of King Charles II to the throne in 1660 symbolized the restoration of the monarchy and the reestablishment of the Church of England as the state church. This period also saw the resurgence of the Cavaliers, who had supported the monarchy during the civil war, and the emergence of the Whigs as a new political faction challenging the power of the crown.
• Describe the impact of the English Restoration on the expansion of English colonies in North America.
  • The Restoration period led to the expansion of English colonies in North America, including the establishment of the Carolinas and the reaffirmation of the Virginia colony. The return of the monarchy and the reestablishment of the Church of England as the state church provided a renewed sense of purpose and direction for England's colonial efforts. The Cavaliers, who regained power and influence during the Restoration, were also instrumental in promoting and supporting the growth of English colonies in the New World.
• Analyze the long-term consequences of the English Restoration on the relationship between the monarchy and Parliament.
  • The English Restoration marked a critical juncture in the ongoing power struggle between the monarchy and Parliament. While the restoration of the monarchy was initially celebrated, the emergence of the Whigs as a political faction challenging the crown's authority foreshadowed the gradual shift towards a more balanced, constitutional monarchy. The Restoration period laid the groundwork for the Glorious Revolution of 1688, which further limited the power of the monarchy and solidified the role of Parliament in the governance of England. This dynamic would continue to shape the political landscape of England in the centuries to come.

Related terms

Interregnum:

The period in English history between the execution of King Charles I in 1649 and the restoration of the monarchy with the accession of King Charles II in 1660, during which England was governed as a republic.

Cavaliers: Supporters of the English monarchy during the English Civil War, who fought against the Parliamentarians or Roundheads.

Whigs:

A political faction in England that emerged during the Restoration period, which supported the constitutional monarchy and the rights of Parliament.