Last years of Charles (1681-85)

Charles tarnished the rep of Whigs by presenting them as republicans wanting a violent overthrow of monarchy like 1649. He brought down opponents by: 

• Using prerogative powers to control the judiciary, removed a number of leaders from office. 
• Several were executed but Shafts fled abroad. 
• His financial position improved after the Exclusion crisis and was able to raise revenue to £1.4 million in 84-85. Existing excise taxes were utilised but the real cause of success was the increased revenue collected via customs duties from improved international trade. 
• Tory factions ensured the Clarendon Code was enforced with renewed enthusiasm against dissenters. 
• Freedom of speech was suppressed and when Whig views were put into orint authors were subject to libel proceedings. 

Whigs were removed from local office, allowng CII to maintain his personal rule. 

• JPs who had persecuted Catholics were replaced with men prepared to persecute dissenters. 
• Disloyal judges were fired. A list was found among Shafts papers of men who could sit as judges and loyal to the Whig cause. They were expelled. 
• 2 Tory sheriffs were elected in London in 82, in a contest marred by fraud and violence. 
• Charles challenged the borough charters given to some towns. These charters gave the towns rights and privileges over justice and administration, but CII revised them and put control of towns in the hands of his own nominees. 
• The corporation of the City of London was controlled by those loyal to the King, they threw out petitions demanding the exclusion of James. 

In 83, a group of Cromwellian soliders concocted a plot to kill the king and replace him with Monmouth. It failed and conspirators were arrested. 

It gaves CII the excuse to destroy remaining Whig leaders. Russell, Sidney and Armstrong were beheaded for their role in the plot. CII was now able to avoid calling P for the rest of his reign. 

For the last 2 years of his life CII was content to leave administrattion to his brother and ministers. The Court felt if P was restored it would lead to a war with France and calls to hold new elections were ignored.