1 of 1

Write now Article Tools

In the weeks that followed the execution of King Charles I deep-seated expectations were at fever pitch. . Prides purge and the regicide had alienated many men who had fought for the king to preserve a constitutional monarchy. The Scots had been very unhappy that Charles I was executed without them being consulted they were not particularly keen of the king however he was a Stuart and part of their ancestry and inheritance if not culture. In February 1649 Charles II was proclaimed king, but after the third civil war in nine years and the loss of two decisive battles, Scotland succumbed to the military power of the Puritan commonwealth. Over the years of Oliver Cromwell's rule along with his supporters their enemies had steadily multiplied. Extreme radicals felt betrayed when the promises made by the government were not followed by fundamental changes they had advocated. Between 1651 and 1655 very few shots were fired in England with anger. In late 1655 there were a number of planned royalist risings across the country, however most of the conspirators got cold feet. There were several contributing factors which shaped the restoration settlement the most obvious being the inability of any individual or group to fill the gap left behind on the death of Oliver Cromwell.

Oliver Cromwell was a devout puritan, after Charles death there followed a tumultuous decade of autocratic rule of England, Scotland and Ireland during which the British Isles were declared a republic. It was known as the commonwealth' and Cromwell assumed the title of lord protector. Ultimately the people and the army became disillusioned with the puritanical restrictions and political dictatorship of Cromwell's regime.

In August 1655 Cromwell revolutionized local government he divided England and Wales into ten districts each under the control of a major general. These major generals wielded enormous power over local affairs which displaced the gentry's traditional control as justices of the peace. The major generals were extremely unpopular as they cracked down on royalist sympathizers, closet Anglicans, beer baiters, ale drinkers, cockfights, horse races and many others as it was believed to pose a threat to order. Cromwell believed that it was his job to cleanse the country of his decadence. Life in the puritan regime' was hard Cromwell set about reforming the entire moral life of the English. Puritans beliefs were that if you worked hard you would go to heaven and pointless enjoyment was frowned

• 1
• 2
• 3
• 4
• 5
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Why was the British monarchy restored in 1660??
We want to hear your view. Write now!