The Declaration of Breda in 1660 set out Charles II’s terms for restoration, outlining leniency, settlement of disputes, and cooperation with Parliament to secure his return.

Context of the Restoration

The years preceding 1660 were marked by political instability following the collapse of the Protectorate under Richard Cromwell. Factionalism in Parliament, discontent within the army, and General Monck’s march into England created an opportunity for settlement. Royalists, Presbyterians, and moderates increasingly sought compromise to restore order. Charles II, then in exile at Breda in the Netherlands, issued the Declaration of Breda in April 1660 to appeal broadly to these groups and assure them of a stable and cooperative monarchy.

The Declaration of Breda: Main Provisions

The document was carefully crafted to balance competing interests. Its clauses promised reconciliation, toleration, and settlement:

• Amnesty and pardon: Charles offered a general pardon to those who had opposed his father and himself during the Civil Wars, with the notable exception of those directly responsible for the trial and execution of Charles I.

• Property settlement: Charles declared that existing property rights, particularly land acquired during the Civil Wars and Interregnum, would be respected, subject to eventual parliamentary resolution. This was crucial to calm fears of land confiscation among the gentry and nobility.

• Religious toleration: While reaffirming the centrality of the Church of England, Charles promised liberty for tender consciences, signalling a degree of tolerance for Protestant dissenters, though the limits of this would remain contested.

• Army assurances: Charles guaranteed the payment of arrears to the army and affirmed that their service under the Commonwealth would be recognised. This sought to prevent unrest among soldiers who feared dismissal without compensation.

• Parliamentary cooperation: Charles pledged to rule in partnership with Parliament, presenting himself as a monarch who respected the constitutional balance of authority.

By setting these terms, Charles aligned his return with national reconciliation rather than vengeance.

Printed pamphlet containing Charles II’s Declaration issued at Breda together with covering letters to Parliament and General Monck. It highlights the restoration programme—amnesty, a moderated religious stance, property settlement via Parliament, and arrears for the army. The object demonstrates how these terms were circulated to secure support in May 1660. Source

The Proclamation of Charles II’s Return

Following the Declaration, Parliament proclaimed Charles II king on 8 May 1660, backdating his reign to 30 January 1649, the day of Charles I’s execution. This retrospective dating implied that the Interregnum governments were illegitimate. The proclamation was greeted with widespread public celebration, symbolising relief at the end of republican rule and the hope for stability after years of upheaval.

Role of Parliament

Parliament’s acceptance of the Declaration of Breda demonstrated its significance. The Convention Parliament, summoned without royal writ, negotiated Charles’s return. By proclaiming him king, Parliament effectively endorsed the Restoration settlement and re-established the monarchy with conditions that tied the king to his promises.

Edward Matthew Ward’s mural depicts Charles II landing at Dover amidst jubilant crowds, with General Monck in attendance. It conveys the Restoration’s public mood and the political theatre surrounding the king’s arrival. Although painted in 1864, it draws on contemporary testimonies to visualise 1660. Source

Reactions to the Settlement of 1660

The settlement of 1660 involved compromises and unresolved tensions:

Royalists

• Royalists rejoiced at the restoration of the monarchy, but many were disappointed that the Declaration did not guarantee full restitution of their confiscated lands.

• Some also resented Charles’s willingness to forgive former Parliamentarians, seeing it as a betrayal of staunch loyalists.

Presbyterians and Moderates

• Welcomed the promises of religious toleration and the protection of property.

• Saw the Declaration as a safeguard against renewed conflict, ensuring that old disputes would not reignite.

The Army

• Initially reassured by Charles’s promises regarding arrears, but distrust lingered.

• Many soldiers feared the return of traditional hierarchy and loss of influence after years of political prominence.

Religious Groups

• The Anglican Church viewed the Declaration as a restoration of its central role in governance and worship.

• Puritans and Dissenters hoped for tolerance but remained cautious, as promises were vague and depended on future interpretation by king and Parliament.

Political Significance of the Declaration

The Declaration of Breda was a political masterstroke because it was deliberately vague. Each clause was designed to appeal broadly without committing Charles to specifics that might alienate potential supporters. This allowed competing factions to interpret the promises in ways that suited their interests, creating a coalition wide enough to secure his return.

The settlement of 1660 restored monarchy, Parliament, and the Church of England, but also left many issues unresolved—particularly around religion and land ownership. These tensions would resurface during Charles II’s reign, shaping the politics of Restoration England.

Printed royal proclamation aimed at quieting possessions in the immediate aftermath of the Restoration. It illustrates how the regime addressed contested property—anxieties the Declaration had promised would be settled under Parliament’s authority. The document is a contemporaneous witness to day-to-day implementation of the 1660 settlement. Source

Settlement

By May 1660, the Restoration was complete. The Declaration of Breda, followed by the formal proclamation of Charles II’s kingship, laid the foundation of the Restoration Settlement. Its emphasis on pardon, toleration, property rights, and partnership with Parliament reflected the pragmatic compromise necessary after two decades of civil conflict and republican experiment. However, the ambiguity of its promises ensured that many of the fundamental conflicts of mid-seventeenth-century England remained beneath the surface.