The House of Lords in the Reign of Charles II

The first comprehensive account of the Lords and politics in the reign of Charles II.

Andrew Swatland (Author)

9780521554589, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 29 August 1996

308 pages, 6 tables
23.6 x 15.7 x 2.4 cm, 0.579 kg

"This book is meticulously researched. Historians wilfind many useful references regarding individual peers, in the text and notes. This book is now the standard source and invites now a study of both houses in parliament and their relationship to the king." Frank T. Melton, Canadian Journal of History

This is a study of the House of Lords in the reign of Charles II. It examines the House's institutional and political activities, and reveals the vital role played by the peerage in Caroline parliaments. Andrew Swatland draws on an extensive range of sources to analyse the membership and procedural developments of the House of Lords, relating these to legislative, judicial and political issues in Restoration England. He sheds light on the Lords' relations with the king and the Commons, and assesses the contribution made by peers and bishops to the Restoration church settlement. He also describes the emergence of political parties, reinterpreting 'Toryism' and 'Whiggism' during the succession crisis of 1679–81. This detailed and balanced study is both a major institutional history and an important contribution to the history of Restoration politics and political culture.

1. Introduction
Part I. From Abolition to Restoration: 2. In the wilderness, 1649–1660
Part II. Members and the Business of the House: 3. Membership, attendance and privileges
4. Legislation
5. Justice
Part III. King, Lords and Commons: 6. King and Lords
7. Lords and Commons
Part IV. Religion: 8. Religious composition
9. Church settlement
10. Religious nonconformity
Part V. Politics: 11. Factions, country peers and the 'Whig' party
12. Court and 'Tory' peers
Conclusion
Appendices.

Subject Areas: Early modern history: c 1450/1500 to c 1700 [HBLH], British & Irish history [HBJD1]