Memory Aids: Lock In the Key Facts

🧠 Memory Aids: Lock In the Key Facts

BREDA's four promises — "PRLA": Use this to remember the four promises of the Declaration of Breda:

• P — Pardon (general pardon for those who fought against Charles I)
• R — Religious tolerance (for different Protestant groups)
• L — Land disputes (fair settlement — left to Parliament)
• A — Army arrears (soldiers would be paid what they were owed)

The key point is that Charles left ALL four promises to Parliament to implement — giving himself flexibility but also giving Parliament power.

The date 29 May 1660 — "Oak Apple Day": Charles II was born on 29 May 1630, and he returned to London on 29 May 1660 — his 30th birthday. The day was celebrated as "Oak Apple Day" (or "Royal Oak Day") in reference to the oak tree at Boscobel where Charles hid from Roundhead soldiers after the Battle of Worcester (1651). People wore oak leaves to celebrate. The date was a public holiday until 1859. Once you know it's Charles's birthday, the date 1660 is easy to remember.

"Indemnity for enemies, oblivion for friends" — the Royalist complaint: The Indemnity and Oblivion Act 1660 was bitterly nicknamed this by disappointed Royalists who felt that former enemies received pardons while loyal Royalists who had suffered got nothing. This phrase captures the pragmatic nature of the Restoration — it was about political stability, not justice for Charles's supporters.

Key people at the Restoration:

• Monck — the general who made it happen (marched south 1660)
• Charles II — the king who returned (30th birthday, 29 May 1660)
• Clarendon (Hyde) — chief minister who designed the settlement
• Cromwell — the posthumously executed ex-Protector (died 1658)