The Political And Religious Winds Of The Seventeenth Century From Charles I To Oliver Cromwell

The Restoration, a period of constantly changing ideals, shows how the change in government from Charles I to Oliver Cromwell affected the people of that time, shows the Child of Hope, shows the shift in winds of religion, compares and contrasts Absolutism and Constitutionalism, shows how the influence of the English people on the world, and shows a new era being heralded in without which we would not exist. The seventeenth century, started with the Ascension of Charles I to the throne of his father James II. It was a relatively stable period under Charles I, yet it soon became engrossed in a civil war, of which. Oliver Cromwell and Dissenters led. They formed an improvised republic, which later collapsed. This led to restoration of Charles II, whose new models of government helped to change ideals in religion not only in Europe, but also in the world.

James I handed the reigns of the commonwealth to his only male heir Charles, who at the age of 25 still had no wife, and therefore was not bringing any legitimate heirs to the throne with him (Chapman 17). Charles I was a firm believer in divine right. During his reign he rarely a

The new revolution was now taking place; this was due largely to a new oath, which parliament required the monarch to take. This oath required the king to uphold the customs and laws of the Protestants. (Kishlansky 63). Now science and philosophy as well as religion were being questioned ( Wright 189). This revolution was one of the most important in history (Wright 187).

The religious winds of this time were variable and one had trouble choosing which to follow. They were still a problem under the rule of James II, because the puritans had thought he would be more supportive (Kagan 452). The Clergy took offense to this and stated that they most certainly did not change their sermons or morals to fit their present circumstances (Tomlinson 3). Unity and Order became the keys to control of religion in the seventeenth century. They were operating as one, which resulted in a unified and orderly clergy (Sutherland 6).

So great was the adoration of this king that peasants would race out of their cottages to kiss his majesty (Chapman 81). The king even appointed a day, July Twenty-Sixth, in honor over his triumph over The Duke of Monmouth (Tomlinson 1). Soon this king had the support of foreign countries as well. The Spanish supported England, and they did this so that England would support Spain against her rivalry France (Chapman 302).

After the Scottish rebellion the crown needed money again, and since money could not be raised without the consent of parliament, parliament began to stay in session more (Wright 187). The foreign policy Charles was able to implement helped the royal family get out of a financial bind (Kishlansky 61). The family was known to be protestant yet nearing the end of his reign there is evidence to prove Charles I was at heart Roman Catholic (Chapman 283). This Catholic influence would continue to play a role in the lives of the rest of the monarchy (Chapman 282). During January of 1629 it was decided by parliament to legally try to reduce the power held by the crown. In so doing it was found that Popery and placing taxes on the people without their consent was treason (Kagan 454). Popery was especially bad in England because it was in England that the king was also the head of the church and could make any religious policies he desired.

Nearing the end of the rule of James II, a plot was revealed, in which the Jesuits (a catholic order) would assassinate the king, and in so doing would change England back to Catholicism (Kishlansky 62). This would have been a disaster for England since protestant dissenters made up the middle class of the day, the class that made most of the money their country ravenously took (Tomlinson 8). During this Popish Plot William Godfrey was found murdered, and it was arranged to look like a suicide. He was a justice of the peace, who most likely found out more then he needed to know (Marshall1). Most felt the Catholics were behind this, but it was later proved that Gofrey was their

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