 |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
 |
46
The generals began to fight for power, general G. Monk's influence brought about the dissolution of the
Long Parliament and the new convention Parliament voted to recall Charles II and restore the Monarchy in
Britain.
Charles II landed in England in May 1660 and was enthusiastically greeted and welcomed by the people. He
declared a "liberty of conscience" and demanded the punishment of his father's murderers. He
was crowned in
1661, his ministers were mainly old Royalists who had served him during his exile.
The Puritan Republic had been a joyless country, and the Restoration of Monarchy brought back the gaity of
life: theatres were reopened, new dramatists wrote cynical plays to entertain the corrupt court. It was also the
restoration of Parliament, House of Lords, Anglican church and Cavalier gentry (noblemen) with their old
privileges and intolerance.
But the Commonwealth was dissolved. Charles
II was the king of England and Ireland but all these
countries now had their own Parliament again.
Charles II was more French than English. He did his best to secure toleration for Catholics in England and
also to escape the control of Parliament. The Parliament and the Protestants wanted to keep their leading
position.
The first years of the Restoration saw action of revenge on Cromwell's dead body, Acts against the Puritans