Restoration Research File
English Civil War
The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a war between two English factions, the Roundheads and the Cavaliers. The Roundheads were led by Oliver Cromwell, their aim to install parliament to power over the monarch in England. The Cavaliers were led by King Charles I, they sought to preserve the monarchy's power in the realm.
There were three periods of fighting that make up the war, the first ended when Charles I was defeated and captured by Parliamentary forces but the second began when, from prison, Charles managed to rally a new army with the Scots. The second ended, once again, with Charles I's defeat, this time however he was tried for treason and executed. The third was a result of the execution of Charles I, the Scottish forces regrouped and united and, led by Charles II they fought the Parliamentary forces again. Once again the Royalist forces were defeated and Charles II was sent into exile from England once more.
There were a few causes of the war, King James I's rule caused a great rift between the relationship between the monarch and parliament. James firmly believed in The Divine Right of Kings, believing that God had appointed the monarch and no one could rule besides the monarch. This belief led to James suspending parliament for ten years, only to bring them back to discuss a marriage for his son to a Spanish princess. This proposition was looked at with distaste and didn't go ahead but hurt relations between monarchy and parliament. Charles' rule only caused more problems for the parliament, many unpopular opinions and, like his father, suspended parliament for eleven years. The war broke out when Charles went to arrest five of his critics within parliament, the last straw that started the civil war.
This doesn't directly affect Blunt. I'm saying he was neutral in the war, caring little for politics. He only really cares for himself and as such the political war wouldn't have affected him directly so he would have tried to avoid it. The others, Belvile, Frederick and Willmore are all Cavaliers banished for their political alignment but Blunt has just followed them for the enjoyment of it. He directly says "I thank my stars that I have more grace than to forfeit my estate by Cavaliering". This shows a distaste for those who put their politics ahead of themselves, a selfish and shallow attitude iconic of the fop. The audience of the time would have likely had their clear political views, the event being close in living memory. Seeing someone so clearly show a lack of care for the politics would potentially be humorous. Today, however, the audience may not even be familiar to the English Civil War and as such that humour would be lost.
The Interregnum
The Interregnum is the time in which the play is set. It's the time between the execution of Charles I and the restoration of Charles II to the throne. The rule passed through a few phases during the Interregnum. The longest form of rule in the time was Cromwell as Lord Protector. Cromwell enforced puritan values on the country and was almost as unpopular as his Charles, the King he executed to get there. Easter and Christmas were suppressed, and theatre and gambling were also banned. Some art forms such as opera were deemed as 'virtuous' however and allowed. The restrictive reign of Cromwell ended with his death in 1658 and led to Charles II's restoration to the throne in 1660.
This does have a lot of relevance to Blunt. He would have hated the restrictions placed on the country during the Interregnum. His lavish lifestyle would have been looked down on by the temperate Puritans. That would be one of the main reasons for leaving with the Cavaliers for Spain. Again, he has left not for his political views but instead for his own humour.
Charles II
Charles II was the King from 29th May 1630 to 6th February 1685, living long and having a similarly long rule. He was liked much more than he predecessors appreciating hedonism and lavish lifestyles above the restriction and temperance of the puritan rule prior. This appreciation of the material and luxury had Charles II known as the 'Merry Monarch'. He was restored to the throne following a political crisis caused by the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658. The throne passed to James II upon his death in 1685.
The play was written after the return of Charles II to the throne. This could be taken in two ways depending on the reading of the play. It could be seen as a condemnation of the attitudes of the King and his loyal Cavaliers, deploring hedonism as something that causes men to do cruel things and has women abused. However the play could be shown as a celebration of hedonism, the men are bawdy and merry while the wiser, wittier women prove to be able to enjoy themselves as much as the men. Either way, the message of the play seems to be a reaction to the political beliefs and attitudes of Charles II.
Women on the Stage
Prior to December 1660, no woman had legally been allowed on the stage. Margaret Hughes appeared as 'Desdemona' and was the billed as 'the first woman that came to act on the stage'. However, illegally, a few women had performed in more underground theatres. Women on the stage was made legitimate by King Charles II, a king known for his love of the theatre.
Nell Gwynne (1650-1687) was one of the most famous of the early English actresses. She was also mistress to the King. Gwynne was know for 'good looks, a strong clear voice, and lively wit' which attracted the attention of Thomas Killigrew who taught her acting and provided her with work.
Two other early actresses of note: Elizabeth Barry (1658-1713) and Susanna Verbuggen/Mountfort (1667-1703). Barry had a long and successful career for the standards of the time, working in some of the biggest, most prestigious theatres in London. Barry was reported to be coached in acting by her lover John Wilmot, though there is only one source for this tale. Verbuggen was most known for her comedies, she was a very popular comedian, known mostly for her breeches roles. A breeches role being where an actress appeared in male clothing, often tight-fitting knee length trousers. These roles were a great novelty and were a great sensation because it allowed women to show more of their bodies on stage in comparison to traditional women's garb.
The English Civil War (1642–1651) was a war between two English factions, the Roundheads and the Cavaliers. The Roundheads were led by Oliver Cromwell, their aim to install parliament to power over the monarch in England. The Cavaliers were led by King Charles I, they sought to preserve the monarchy's power in the realm.
There were three periods of fighting that make up the war, the first ended when Charles I was defeated and captured by Parliamentary forces but the second began when, from prison, Charles managed to rally a new army with the Scots. The second ended, once again, with Charles I's defeat, this time however he was tried for treason and executed. The third was a result of the execution of Charles I, the Scottish forces regrouped and united and, led by Charles II they fought the Parliamentary forces again. Once again the Royalist forces were defeated and Charles II was sent into exile from England once more.
There were a few causes of the war, King James I's rule caused a great rift between the relationship between the monarch and parliament. James firmly believed in The Divine Right of Kings, believing that God had appointed the monarch and no one could rule besides the monarch. This belief led to James suspending parliament for ten years, only to bring them back to discuss a marriage for his son to a Spanish princess. This proposition was looked at with distaste and didn't go ahead but hurt relations between monarchy and parliament. Charles' rule only caused more problems for the parliament, many unpopular opinions and, like his father, suspended parliament for eleven years. The war broke out when Charles went to arrest five of his critics within parliament, the last straw that started the civil war.
This doesn't directly affect Blunt. I'm saying he was neutral in the war, caring little for politics. He only really cares for himself and as such the political war wouldn't have affected him directly so he would have tried to avoid it. The others, Belvile, Frederick and Willmore are all Cavaliers banished for their political alignment but Blunt has just followed them for the enjoyment of it. He directly says "I thank my stars that I have more grace than to forfeit my estate by Cavaliering". This shows a distaste for those who put their politics ahead of themselves, a selfish and shallow attitude iconic of the fop. The audience of the time would have likely had their clear political views, the event being close in living memory. Seeing someone so clearly show a lack of care for the politics would potentially be humorous. Today, however, the audience may not even be familiar to the English Civil War and as such that humour would be lost.
The Interregnum
The Interregnum is the time in which the play is set. It's the time between the execution of Charles I and the restoration of Charles II to the throne. The rule passed through a few phases during the Interregnum. The longest form of rule in the time was Cromwell as Lord Protector. Cromwell enforced puritan values on the country and was almost as unpopular as his Charles, the King he executed to get there. Easter and Christmas were suppressed, and theatre and gambling were also banned. Some art forms such as opera were deemed as 'virtuous' however and allowed. The restrictive reign of Cromwell ended with his death in 1658 and led to Charles II's restoration to the throne in 1660.
This does have a lot of relevance to Blunt. He would have hated the restrictions placed on the country during the Interregnum. His lavish lifestyle would have been looked down on by the temperate Puritans. That would be one of the main reasons for leaving with the Cavaliers for Spain. Again, he has left not for his political views but instead for his own humour.
Charles II
Charles II was the King from 29th May 1630 to 6th February 1685, living long and having a similarly long rule. He was liked much more than he predecessors appreciating hedonism and lavish lifestyles above the restriction and temperance of the puritan rule prior. This appreciation of the material and luxury had Charles II known as the 'Merry Monarch'. He was restored to the throne following a political crisis caused by the death of Oliver Cromwell in 1658. The throne passed to James II upon his death in 1685.
The play was written after the return of Charles II to the throne. This could be taken in two ways depending on the reading of the play. It could be seen as a condemnation of the attitudes of the King and his loyal Cavaliers, deploring hedonism as something that causes men to do cruel things and has women abused. However the play could be shown as a celebration of hedonism, the men are bawdy and merry while the wiser, wittier women prove to be able to enjoy themselves as much as the men. Either way, the message of the play seems to be a reaction to the political beliefs and attitudes of Charles II.
Women on the Stage
Prior to December 1660, no woman had legally been allowed on the stage. Margaret Hughes appeared as 'Desdemona' and was the billed as 'the first woman that came to act on the stage'. However, illegally, a few women had performed in more underground theatres. Women on the stage was made legitimate by King Charles II, a king known for his love of the theatre.
Nell Gwynne (1650-1687) was one of the most famous of the early English actresses. She was also mistress to the King. Gwynne was know for 'good looks, a strong clear voice, and lively wit' which attracted the attention of Thomas Killigrew who taught her acting and provided her with work.
Two other early actresses of note: Elizabeth Barry (1658-1713) and Susanna Verbuggen/Mountfort (1667-1703). Barry had a long and successful career for the standards of the time, working in some of the biggest, most prestigious theatres in London. Barry was reported to be coached in acting by her lover John Wilmot, though there is only one source for this tale. Verbuggen was most known for her comedies, she was a very popular comedian, known mostly for her breeches roles. A breeches role being where an actress appeared in male clothing, often tight-fitting knee length trousers. These roles were a great novelty and were a great sensation because it allowed women to show more of their bodies on stage in comparison to traditional women's garb.
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