Cambridge University Press The House of Lords in the Reign of Charles II (Cambridge Studies in Early Modern British History)

This is a study of the House of Lords in the reign of Charles II. It examines the House's institutional and political activities, and reveals the vital role played by the peerage in Caroline parliaments. Andrew Swatland draws on an extensive range of sources to analyse the membership and procedural developments of the House of Lords, relating these to legislative, judicial and political issues in Restoration England. He sheds light on the Lords' relations with the king and the Commons, and assesses the contribution made by peers and bishops to the Restoration church settlement. He also describes the emergence of political parties, reinterpreting 'Toryism' and 'Whiggism' during the succession crisis of 1679–81. This detailed and balanced study is both a major institutional history and an important contribution to the history of Restoration politics and political culture. Review "Swatland's book fills a long-standing gap in the literature and does so in a fashion that will make his a much-consulted work by students of Restoration politics and seventeenth-century parliamentary history." Henry Horwitz, Albion"Swatland has written a thoroughly researched and well-reasoned monograph on a previously neglected topic: the 'restored House of Lords"....Two superb appendixes list the membership of the House of Lords." D.R. Bisson, Choice"The work is best suited for undergraduate libraries" History"...fills a long-standing in the literature and does so in a fashion that will make his a much-consulted work." Albion"The book is very sensibly orgranized. ...this book,...is a fine work of scholarship." Keith L. Sprunger, American Historical Review"This monograph...will supersede all previous published and unpublished work on Charles II's House of Lords, from those of A.S. Turberville to those of Maxfield Schoenfeld and Richard Davis. Swatland's book fills a long-standing gap... and does so in a fashion that will make his a much-consulted work by students of Restoration politics and seventeenth-century parliamentary history." Henry Horwitz, Albion"His study will prove essential reading for those interested in all Restoration religious persuasions." Gary S. De Krey, Church History"...this is a fine book that deserves a wide readership." Tim Harris, American Journal of Legal History"This book is meticulously researched. Historians wilfind many useful references regarding individual peers, in the text and notes. This book is now the standard source and invites now a study of both houses in parliament and their relationship to the king." Frank T. Melton, Canadian Journal of History Book Description The first comprehensive account of the Lords and politics in the reign of Charles II. From the Back Cover This is the first comprehensive study of the House of Lords in the reign of Charles II. It examines the House's institutional and political activities, and reveals the vital role played by the peerage in Caroline parliaments. Andrew Swatland draws on an extensive range of sources to analyse the membership and procedural developments of the House of Lords, relating these to legislative, judicial and political issues in Restoration England. He sheds light on the Lords' relations with the king and the Commons, and assesses the contribution made by peers and bishops to the Restoration church settlement. He also describes the emergence of political parties, reinterpreting 'Toryism' and 'Whiggism' during the succession crisis of 1679-81. This detailed and balanced study is both a major institutional history and an important contribution to the history of Restoration politics and political culture.