From the Restoration Era to the Glorious Revolution, 1660-1688: court, society and culture during the reigns of Charles II and James II.

About this course

The course examines how the Stuart monarchy was restored and challenged between 1660 and 1688. Topics include the legacy of the Civil Wars and Cromwellian Protectorate, Parliament and political factions, religious dissent, European diplomacy and global trading, and the effects of the Plague and Great Fire of London. It also considers court life, gender and power, royal patronage of science and theatre, and the events that led to James II’s deposition. Teaching combines lectures with classroom discussions and debates, using extracts from contemporary sources to support analysis.

What you'll learn

• Evaluate how the Civil Wars and Cromwellian Protectorate shaped the restoration of the Stuart court.
• Assess the effects of the Plague and Great Fire on contemporary attitudes and belief systems.
• Analyse the roles of royal patronage, scientific innovation and theatre in Stuart culture.
• Evaluate the importance of global trading, foreign diplomacy and the Royal African Company.
• Explain the significance of religious dissent, the Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis.
• Assess the contributions of Parliament and William and Mary to James II’s deposition.

Is this course right for you?

This introductory course is intended for learners with no prior knowledge of the period. Participation involves lectures as well as debates and discussions, so learners should be willing to engage respectfully with differing interpretations. The course may suit those who want to examine political, religious, social and cultural aspects of late seventeenth-century Britain.

• No prior knowledge is necessary.
• There is no set work outside class, although further reading is encouraged.

Before you go

• Extracts from contemporary sources are provided.
• Weekly PowerPoint slides with basic lesson points are provided.
• Recommended books, articles and reliable online resources are supplied where possible.
• A pen and paper may be brought for additional notes.