Restoration of the Church of England

As the Cavalier P was Anglican mostly, its members moved to restore the CoE to its former status. Between 61 and 65, 4 acts were passed: 

1) Corporation Act of 61 - restricted non-Anglicans from sitting on borough corporations. 

2) Act of Uniformity of 62 - stated that parish priests should accept the Book of Common Prayer. 1800 ministers were unable to conform and were expelled and deprived of their livings. 

3) Conventicle Act of 64 - restricted dissenters from meeting in groups outside the CoE. 

4) Five Mile Act forbade ministers expelled under (2) from going within 5 miles of their former parishes.

62, CII attempted to suspend the Act of Uniformity and issues the Dec of Indulgence, which would have allowed for both dissenters and Catholics to worship with some freedom. This was resisted bt a combination of bishops in the HoL and MPs. 

Charles continued to attempt to establish toleration with Parliament's resistance. The dominance of the CoE was ensured and the most high-profile vistims of the Test Act (later discussed) were Lord Treasurer Clifforce and James Duke of York. The CoE still faced problems of religious stability. 

Charles' pro-French FP saw England fight this war between 65-67. It ended in disaster when the Dutch able to break the chain that blocked the Medway RIver in June 67, destroying 13 ships. 

Charles signed the Treaty of Dover with the French in 70, committing England to a further war with the Dutch. At the time the public were unaware of the secret clause that stated he must convert to catholicism in exchange for French subsidies, freeing Charles of P. A second pact with Louis in 75 committed more money to Charles with the first payment of £100,000 in 81, enabling him to embark on personal rule for the last 4 years of his reign.

In 72, without P, Charles issued another Dec. As long as P was not sitting it could be maintained, but he was facing financial problems and had to suspend payments to his creditors i.e. the Stop of the Exchequer. 

Obliged by the Treaty of Dover to join the 3rd Anglo-Dutch war (72-74) he had little choice but to retun to P, in exchange MPs insisted on passing the Test Act which forced holders of public office to deny key Catholic doctrines.