Charles II made four key promises before returning:
| Promise | What It Meant | What Actually Happened |
|---|---|---|
| General pardon | Forgive those who fought against his father | Mostly kept — only 13 regicides executed (out of 59 who signed the death warrant) |
| Religious liberty | Tolerance for different Protestant groups | BROKEN — Clarendon Code (four Acts 1661–65 banning non-Anglican worship) persecuted Dissenters |
| Land disputes | Fair settlement of Royalist lands sold | Partial — Crown & Church lands returned, private sales kept |
| Army arrears | Pay soldiers what they were owed | Kept — army was then disbanded |
This key facts covers Key Evidence: The Declaration of Breda within The Restoration for GCSE History. Revise The Restoration in Restoration England 1660-1685 for GCSE History with 10 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. Use this page as part of a wider topic revision path rather than treating it as an isolated fact. It is section 3 of 15 in this topic. Use this key facts to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Practice questions for The Restoration
On what date did Charles II ride into London to restore the monarchy?
Why was Richard Cromwell nicknamed 'Tumbledown Dick'?
Quick recall flashcards
Why did Richard Cromwell fail?
"Tumbledown Dick" was weak, lacked military support, couldn't control army generals, resigned after 8 months in May 1659.
Who was the Earl of Clarendon?
Edward Hyde — Charles II's chief minister who designed the Restoration Settlement. Code of laws persecuting Dissenters named after him. Fell from power in 1667, blamed for Dutch War failures.