Clarendon ministry facts for kids
The Clarendon ministry was a group of important government officials who worked for King Charles II. This happened after Charles II became king again in 1660, an event known as the English Restoration.
The leader of this group was Lord Hyde, who later became the Earl of Clarendon. He had already been appointed Lord Chancellor in 1658. In 1660, other powerful leaders joined him, including the Duke of York, who was next in line to become king.
However, after a big fight called the Second Anglo-Dutch War, King Charles II started to lose trust in his ministers. So, in 1667, a new group of five leaders took over the government. This new group was known as the Cabal ministry.
Lord Clarendon was later forced to leave his position and flee the country. Other ministers also left or were replaced around this time.
Who Was in the Clarendon Ministry?
The main group of ministers was part of the Privy Council Committee for Foreign Affairs. This committee helped the king with important decisions, especially about other countries. Lord Clarendon was the most important person in this government.
| Government Role | Name | Years in Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Chancellor | The Lord Hyde | 1660–1667 | He was appointed in 1658 and became the Earl of Clarendon in 1661. |
| Lord High Treasurer | The Earl of Southampton | 1660–1667 | He passed away before the government changed. |
| Lord Steward | The Duke of Ormonde | 1660–1667 | He also served as the King's representative in Ireland from 1662 to 1668. |
| Master of the Horse | The Duke of Albemarle | 1660–1667 | He was also the King's representative in Ireland from 1660 to 1662. |
| Southern Secretary | Sir Edward Nicholas | 1660–1662 | He was appointed in 1654. |
| Sir Henry Bennet, Bt. | 1662–1667 | He became Baron Arlington in 1664. | |
| Northern Secretary | Sir William Morice | 1660–1667 | He became a baronet in 1661. |
| Secretary to the Admiralty | Sir William Coventry | 1665–1667 |
Other Important Government Officials
Besides the main committee, other important people held key roles in the government during this time.
| Government Role | Name | Years in Office | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lord Privy Seal | The Lord Robartes | 1661–1667 | |
| Lord High Admiral | Prince James, Duke of York | 1660–1667 | He was the king's brother and next in line for the throne. |
| Lord Chamberlain | The Earl of Manchester | 1660–1667 | |
| Secretary of State for Scotland | The Earl of Lauderdale | 1660–1667 | |
| Chancellor of the Exchequer | The Lord Ashley | 1661–1667 | This role managed the government's money. |
| Treasurer of the Navy | Sir George Carteret, Bt. | 1660–1667 | He also held another role in the royal household. |
| Preceded by Commonwealth |
Government of England 1660–1667 |
Succeeded by Cabal ministry |
