Declaration of Breda facts for kids

The Declaration of Breda was a very important announcement made by Charles II of England on April 4, 1660. Charles II was living outside England and wanted to become King again. This declaration was his way of promising good things to the English people. It helped him get his throne back after a long period of civil war and different governments.

In this declaration, Charles II promised a general pardon for many actions that happened during the English Civil War and the time when England had no king. This pardon was for anyone who accepted him as their rightful king. He also promised that people could keep property they had bought during that time. There would also be religious toleration for different beliefs. Finally, he promised to pay the soldiers who were owed money and keep the army working for the crown.

The Parliament was given the job of settling arguments over property. They were also responsible for making sure the army was paid. However, the promises about pardons, property, and religious freedom could be changed by future laws passed by Parliament.

Background

Why Charles II Returned to England

After the English Civil War, England was not ruled by a king. This time was called the Interregnum. Charles II, the son of the executed King Charles I, was living outside England. General George Monck was a powerful leader in England at the time. He secretly sent a message to Charles II, suggesting it was time for him to return.

Charles II wrote the Declaration of Breda in response. On May 1, 1660, the declaration was made public. The very next day, the Parliament decided that England should be ruled by a King, Lords, and Commons again. They invited Charles to come back and be their King. On May 8, Charles II was officially declared King of England.

Where Was Breda?

The declaration is named after the city of Breda in the Netherlands. Charles II had been living in the Spanish Netherlands. However, at that time, England was at war with Spain. To avoid problems, General Monck advised Charles to move to the Dutch Republic. Charles then dated his letters as if they were sent from Breda.

Charles left Brussels and arrived in Breda on April 4. He stayed there until May 14. Then he traveled to The Hague, where he was welcomed as the King of England. He left for England on June 2 from Scheveningen on a ship called HMS Royal Charles. This ship was actually renamed from Naseby when it arrived in the Dutch coast. The declaration itself, which was several letters, was sent as soon as Charles crossed into the Dutch Republic.

What the Declaration Promised

Charles II and his main advisors, Edward Hyde, James Butler, and Nicholas Monck, wrote the declaration. They wanted to explain how Charles hoped to take back his rightful place as king.

Pardons for Past Actions

The declaration promised a "free and general pardon" to anyone who had been against Charles or his father. This pardon was for those who now accepted Charles II as their lawful king. However, it said that some people would be "excepted by parliament." Charles and his advisor, Edward Hyde, always expected that those directly involved in his father's death would be punished.

Once Charles became king, Hyde helped pass the Indemnity and Oblivion Act. This law pardoned most people who had supported Parliament during the Civil War. But it did not pardon those who had signed the death warrant for Charles I. It also excluded two well-known republicans, John Lambert and Henry Vane the Younger. About twenty other people were also forbidden from holding public office or being in Parliament.

Religious Toleration

Charles also promised religious toleration. This meant people could practice their religion freely, as long as it did not cause problems for the peace of the kingdom. He also promised a law to allow this freedom. However, Parliament later decided that holding public office by non-Anglicans could disturb the peace.

Between 1660 and 1665, the Cavalier Parliament passed four laws known as the Clarendon Code. These laws greatly limited the rights of Roman Catholics and other non-Anglicans, like the Puritans. These laws effectively stopped them from being involved in national and local government.

Property and Army Pay

The declaration also promised to pay the soldiers of General Monck who were owed money. For land disputes, Charles reassured landowners that arguments over property bought during the many years of trouble would be settled by Parliament. Charles II seemed to offer something good to everyone in his plan to become king again.

Copies of the Declaration were given to both houses of the Convention Parliament. Other copies were sent to General George Monck to share with the Council of State and the Army. Copies also went to the Navy and the Lord Mayor of London.

Commemoration

Several warships of the Royal Navy were later named HMS Breda to remember this important declaration.