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How did the Restoration of 1660 change public life in England?
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Samuel Pepys
Samuel Pepys, oil painting by John Hayls, 1666; in the National Portrait Gallery, London.
The Restoration of 1660, which marked the return of Charles II to the throne, fundamentally transformed English public life by reversing the austere policies of the Commonwealth period.12
Key changes included:
- Religious Orthodoxy: The monarchy restored bishops to Parliament and established a strict Anglican orthodoxy. The Act of Uniformity (1662) led to the ejection of nearly 2,000 Puritan ministers, initiating a period of persecution for those who did not conform to The Book of Common Prayer.13
- Cultural Revival: Charles II actively encouraged theatrical and entertainment activities modeled after the French court. This era saw the rise of Restoration literature and the "comedy of manners," which reflected the cynical, witty, and sexually libertine spirit of the aristocratic court.24
- Political Evolution: The period saw the emergence of the Whig and Tory factions, laying the groundwork for modern political parties.5
- Naval and Colonial Expansion: The era was characterized by an expansion in colonial trade and significant Anglo-Dutch Wars, during which figures like Samuel Pepys worked to modernize and strengthen the Royal Navy.16