The World of Samuel Pepys

The Restoration

Charles II

After the strict moral and social climate of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate, the British Parliament “restored” the monarchy in 1660. Charles II was invited to return from exile and a further act of Parliament made it as though he had been regent from the date of the execution of Charles I. It was as though they erased the Cromwell years.

Religion

The Church of England became the official religion/church in England once again, although officially Catholicism and other religions were tolerated.

Morals

Charles II was required to relax the laws that had restricted society during the previous two decades. This was totally within his character and he seemed perfectly happy to do this!

Entertainment

Theaters were once again opened and enjoyed an amazing renaissance. Restoration Comedy, theater that both dealt with current issues and was sexually explicit, enjoyed great popularity on all social levels. It was during this era that women were first allowed to perform professionally on stage. The first acknowledged woman playwright became famous and actors started to become celebrities and draw folks to the theater themselves. Unfortunately, Charles II wasn’t quite as successful at foreign affairs; the navy had its lowest presence in English history to date.