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The Mystery of the Stuart Restoration: How did Charles II return to the throne?
The Stuart Restoration in May 1660 marked the re-establishment of the Stuart dynasty in England, Scotland, and Ireland, ending the English Commonwealth that had been established following the execution of Charles I in 1649. The return of Charles II was not only the regaining of the throne, but also the end of political chaos, and the historical story behind it is even more fascinating.
The interregnum of power: protection system
Richard Cromwell held power as Protector between 1658 and 1659, but his resignation left a vacuum in British politics. Charles Fleetwood and John Lambert suddenly became the new rulers, but their rule was short-lived.
"In this whole matter, it remains a mystery whether George Monck truly understood what he was doing. His results were completely beyond his control."
In October 1659, Monck's army marched south from Scotland and encountered no resistance when Lambert fled back to London. His actions led to a reorganization of power in London and ultimately paved the way for the return of Charles II.
Charles II's Declaration of Accession
After a period of turmoil and chaos, Charles II issued the Declaration of Breda in April 1660, committing to the direction of governance after his restoration. Subsequently, the first session of Parliament was convened on April 25 of the same year, and on May 8, Charles II was officially declared the legitimate monarch of England.
"Constitutionally, it's as if the past 19 years never happened."
Charles II left The Hague on 23 May 1660, arrived at Dover on 25 May, and entered London on 29 May, which happened to be his 30th birthday. To celebrate the return of the new monarch, this day was designated as a public holiday and became known as "Oak Apple Day".
Behind the restoration: declaration and punishment
Not everyone was positive about the restoration of Charles II. Under the Indemnity and Oblivion Act, all past treason convictions were to be pardoned, although the inquisitors who had participated in the trial and execution of Charles I were specifically excluded. Many of the thirty-one judges who had signed death warrants were hunted down and punished.
"The just judgment fulfilled the chaos and fear of the past."
The trials of 1659 also revealed the reckoning behind the Restoration. Thomas Harrison and others were sentenced to death and eventually hanged and drawn and quartered at Charing Cross or Tabernacle in London. The restoration of Charles II was a great act of legal justice and a warning to the ruling class of the past.
Rebuilding governance
The restoration of Charles II meant the reconstruction of national governance. With the convening of the first royal parliament, many royal supporters who followed him back to the country also received certain rewards and returns. At this time, Edward Hyde, who had performed well, was appointed as a major political figure and became a key and influential figure in the reconstruction process.
Fear and Reconstruction: Implications for Religion
During the Restoration, the Church of England once again became the state religion, and its contents were subsequently supported by the Clarendon Code and the Act of Uniformity in 1662, and the religious landscape of society changed dramatically .
The resurgence of culture
The restoration was not only a political reorganization, but also a cultural rekindling. The reopening of theaters and the warming of the cultural atmosphere have led to the good development of cultural forms such as literature of diverse styles and popular comedies. People began to enjoy drama, poetry and all kinds of art again, and restored the cultural freedom that had been suppressed in the past.
"After the restoration, people rediscovered their past freedom and creativity."
Reflections on the current order
The Stuart Restoration was not only about the struggle and regaining of the throne, but also about the deeper institutional and cultural changes, which made everyone re-examine the meaning of power and the consequences it brought in the long river of history. impact. After experiencing turbulent times, have people begun to rethink their concepts and expectations of power during the reconstruction process?
