How accurate is it to say that religious non conformity survived persecution during the Restoration
(1660-88) mainly due to the actions and attitudes of Charles II and James II?
Catholics are NOT dissenters
King did not want to pass Act of Uniformity
Introduction
Religious non-conformity survived the persecution inflicted during the restoration of the Anglican
Church. They still existed and even increased in number ensuring their survival. The attitudes of
Charles II and James II provided support for dissenters and as the King they had a high level of
power, this would have had a significant impact in ensuring the survival of dissenters. However, to
evaluate their impact, their lack of action taken must also be considered, limiting their impact.
Other factors such as commitment of dissenters to organise themselves and mistakes from
enemies, such as strong Anglicans are responsible too. Furthermore, Charles and James were not
the only source of support for dissenters as support came from other influential individuals who
took a more active approach and had a greater impact by helping dissenters. Therefore, the
attitudes and actions of Charles and James were not the main reason for survival of dissenters.
Evidence - Analysis - Evaluation - Linking Factors
Actions and attitudes of Charles II and James II
1662 - Charles I attempted to suspend the Act of Uniformity by introducing the Declaration of
Indulgence in 1662 and 1672. This showed that Charles was sympathetic to dissenters and aimed
for religious toleration. If he had been successful, this would have allowed Congregationalists to
meet without fear of persecution which would have increased the number of active dissenters.
However, Charles was forced to withdraw the Declaration of Indulgence by parliament. Charles
co- operated with Parliament’s wishes showing that he was not willing to use his prerogative
powers for religious toleration. This reduces the impact that the actions of Charles had on the
survival of dissenters because there was no actual change that would alleviate persecution to
help them survive.
1679 onwards - Charles’ attitudes changed after the Exclusion Crisis and Rye House Plot
because the religious dissenters allied with the Whigs, that opposed Charles. As a result, Charles
increased persecution against dissenters which restricted their growth further and did not
contribute to their survival. In this way, Charles’s attitudes and actions in favour of dissenters were
not long term. He lacked continuity of his opinions which reduced his impact on their survival,
therefore, Charles II is not the main reason for increased survival of dissenters.
James II considerably helped Catholics within the non conformity group
He converted to Catholicism in 1678. However, this only increased fear against Catholics instead
of releasing their persecution.
In 1688 James introduced a Declaration of Indulgence which allowed Catholics to worship more
freely, as well as other religious groups. His power as King was influential in relieving the acts of
the Clarendon Code, which helped dissenters and catholics to live more freely under the law.
The Trial of 7 Bishops in 1688, however, showed the limits of James’ power as parliament
ultimately ruled against the Declaration of Indulgence. As a result, the 7 bishops were seen as not
guilty despite not adhering to the Declaration of Indulgence, showing that the actions of James
had little significant impact. Although James introduces laws to help dissenters, the actions and
, powers of parliament were too strong for James to ignore. Thus, he was overpowered and did not
increase religious toleration to help dissenter survive.
The actions and attitudes of Charles and James were not long term and were limited by the power
of parliament. In contrast, the actions of over sympathisers had a greater impact on the survival of
dissenters. High-class clergymen and Justices of the Peace showed sympathy to dissenters
whilst other such as the Hewley family gave accommodation and income to dissenting minsters
to help them preach their beliefs. The support for dissenters was widespread and has a greater
impact on helping dissenters to stay organised to spread ideas. In contrast, Charles and James
lacked significant action, therefore, they are not the main reason for increased dissent of minsters.
Commitment and organisation of dissenters
1669 - Richard Frankland created an Academy to educate dissenting minsters. By 1689 there
were 100 new minsters. The work of Frankland, helped dissenters to gain a better platform to
preach and to increase the size of the congregation. The increase in education ensured that
dissenting groups had better access and networks to their religious beliefs, which increased the
number practicing beliefs, helping survival.
Presbyterian also accepted the need to exist outside the confessional state so they established
networks for dissenters which improved the organisation of dissenting groups, allowing them to
survive in the face of persecution. This also increased the number of dissenters outside the
Church and contributed to changing public attitudes as the public no longer believed dissenters
were a radical minority. As more Presbyterians joined dissenters, the public gained more
sympathy and helped dissenters to survive by opposing parliamentary laws or providing funding
for organisations to be set up. The increase in the number of Presbyterians leaving the church can
also be down to the mistakes of enemies. The Act of Uniformity was different from previous forms
of persecution because it targeted Puritans within the church, which ejected more minsters. Had
the act not been passed, there would have been less organisation and less dissenter groups, and
as a consequence there would have been less support from the public as the groups would have
remained a radical minority. Therefore, the mistakes of enemies can be the root cause for the
organisation of dissenters, allowing them to survive persecution which aimed to abolish
dissenters from their roots.
Spread dissenter ideology
Mistakes of Enemies
1662 - Act of Uniformity caused 1000 ejected ministers which increased the number of dissenters.
The Act increased the range and number of people who became dissenter because the Act tried
to confine religion to a narrow basis. By increasing in number, dissenting groups were able to
organise themselves better too. The extremity of the Clarendon Code was the main reason for
increasing support for dissenters as many believed that dissenters should not be punished in the
way that they were. The strength of anti-Puritan sentiment in parliament made Charles II’s action’s
impossible which created more sympathy from outside support and again improved the
organisation of the dissenters. Therefore, the mistake of the Act of Uniformity was the root cause
for widespread support from the public and without the Act dissenter ceased to exist as they
would have remained a minority group.
