Question 1
1 ‘It was the actions of General Monck that brought about the Restoration of Charles II.’
Use the four sources in their historical context to assess how far they support this view.
Source A: A Whig bishop describes events after Richard Cromwell retires from office.
Upon Richard retiring from office, the Commonwealth was again set up, and the Parliament, which Cromwell had dissolved, was again brought together. But the army and they [Parliament] fell into new disputes; so that they [Parliament] were again broken by the army, and the nation, upon that, was likely to fall into so great convulsions, that many thought it necessary to call home the king in order to settle things. Lambert was the man who had chief sway in the army; and, upon his forcing Parliament, great pressure was put on Monck, who was then in Scotland, to oppose him.
Bishop Gilbert Burnet, History of His Own Time, written in 1683.
Source B: London apprentices and young men express their views about political development.
Our glory and comfort consist in our privileges and liberties, the inheritance of all the free people of England, the grand privilege being free representation in Parliament.
This dear privilege has been assaulted by violence and heavy taxes are imposed on men’s estates, and new laws without consent of the people in a free Parliament. Trade is decayed and we are like to suffer much.
We therefore beseech you by your zeal to our liberties, by the great renown you have lately gained in opposing the cruel raging of the sword, to use the great advantages God has put into your hands to secure your country from dangerous usurpation and preserve us in the liberties to which we were born.
Petition of the Apprentices and Young Men of London to the Army Council, December 1659.
Source C: General Monck and his officers explain to the army the best way to secure a new Parliament to further their cause.
We desire to take God to witness that we have no intentions or purpose to return to our old bondage; but since the providence of God has made us free at the cost of so much blood, we hope we shall never be found so unfaithful to God and His people as to lose so glorious a cause. But we do resolve, with the assistance of God, to adhere to you in the continuing of our dear‑purchased liberties. The reasons of our proceedings in this manner may seem strange. However, consider the necessities of our affairs and the present state of things. You will certainly conclude nothing so safe to secure public interest and to engage the nations peaceably to submit to a free state, and it is the opinion of the truest friends to a free state, that it cannot be consistent with the perpetual sitting of these members [of Parliament], being contrary to the nature of such a government.
General Monck and his officers, Circular to the Army, February 1660.
Source D: Charles II, whilst still in exile, issues guarantees.
The fear of punishment may not engage any. We do grant a free and general pardon (excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be excepted by Parliament). Let all our loving subjects however faulty, rely upon the word of a king. Our subjects we invite to a perfect union among themselves for the re‑settlement of our just rights and theirs in a free Parliament, by which we will be advised. And because the passions and uncharitableness of the times have produced several opinions in religion, we do declare a liberty to tender consciences.
Declaration of Breda, 4 April 1660.
[30]
Answer
