Declaration of Breda

Declaration published by Charles II in the Netherlands in 1660, while still living in exile. The declaration was delivered after the breakdown of the Protectorate. In it Charles assured certain rights.

Proceedings

After Oliver Cromwell, Lord Protector of the Commonwealth, died, his son Richard should become his successor. Yet he did not get much support, especially not from the army. Richard Cromwell did not have much experience in leading and government like his father. He was forced to abdicate and Parliament was dissolved. Many people wanted a firm and legal monarchy again as the restoration of the monarchy seemed to be the only way to have a new government formed.

General Monck was one of the principal characters bringing Charles II back to England. There were hidden contacts between Charles and Monck and delegations were sent to the Netherlands. Meanwhile a newly elected Parliament, the Convention Parliament, was formed and delivered a request to Charles to return to England and become king again. In April, Charles gave the Declaration of Breda and following that the Convention Parliament decided on the king’s restoration. On his 30th birthday, on 27 May 1660, Charles II came to Dover by ship and went on to London. The republic was terminated.

The Declaration

The declaration contained the following aspects: First of all, Charles labelled himself as the rightful heir to the throne: “Nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours” (Kenyon 357). He also wants justice for his people: “administration of justice throughout the land” (Kenyon 357). Charles granted amnesty for the deeds of the last twenty years: “no crime whatsoever committed against us or our royal father before the publication of this shall ever rise in judgment or be brought in question against any of them” (Kenyon 358). Moreover, he calls for unity in the country and promises to keep it safe: “we desiring and ordaining that henceforward all notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a perfect union among themselves, under our protection” (Kenyon 358). Freedom of religion was another aspect in the declaration: “we do declare a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted or called in question for differences of opinion in matter of religion which do not disturb the peace of the kingdom” (Kenyon 358). There were also problems concerning the distribution of confiscated crown and church lands. Charles II promised to find a solution in Parliament. Moreover, indemnity, full payment of the arrears to the army and a new Parliament were assured.

Yet the implementation of the declaration’s promises was not easy. On the one hand, Charles II issued the Act of Indemnity and Oblivion in order to pardon the deeds of the Commonwealth. On the other hand, those who subscribed his father’s death warrant were punished and it was difficult to find an answer to the dispute on land. Furthermore, the assurance of religious toleration could not be realised as “no such legislation was ever presented” (Kenyon 363).

Sources

“Declaration of Breda”. Encyclopedia Britannica. 2013. Encyclopedia Britannica Online. 22 May 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/78664/Declaration-of-Breda>.

Hutton, Ronald.The British Republic. 1649-1660. London: Macmillan, 1990.

Kenyon, J.P.. The Stuart Constitution. 1603-1688. Documents and Commentary. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1966.

Maurer, Michael. Kleine Geschichte Englands. Stuttgart: Reclam, 2007.