The Restoration

The Restoration was a time in the history of the British Isles that started in 1660, when the House of Stuart was restored to power after the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The Restoration came after the Protectorate, when Oliver Cromwell and his son Richard Cromwell had led the government. The kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland started to have a monarchy again. "The Restoration" means both the events at the start of Charles II's reign and the period of time after they happened.

Charles II came back to England after his exile and became king of England, Scotland and Ireland. Earlier, the monarchy had stopped after Charles I's execution. The three kingdoms became a republic, without a monarchy: the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland.

Literature and culture of the Restoration period can also have the name "Restoration". (For example, Restoration drama is the theatre and plays of the Restoration period.)

 Other websites 
 http://www.debretts.co.uk/royal_connections/sovereigns_england_17_century.html 
 Review of 'Revolution and Counter-Revolution in England, Ireland and Scotland 1658-60', by Brian Manning 
 Chapter V. The Stewart Restoration  By Sir Charles Harding Firth

Category:History of the British Isles
Category:1660s