Dryden- “Absalom and Achitophel”

Charles II- Protestant King. Country seen as Protestant country, although there were many Catholics
The state church was dominant
Charles had some interest in Catholicism
Charles- Protestant, James- Catholic
1678- Popish Plot
Titus Oates- spreads rumor there’s a plot to kill the king to make it a Catholic country with James as King when Charles dies
1679-1681- Exclusion Crisis
Attempt by Parliament to exclude James from being king incase Charles died without an air to the throne. Try to get Monmouth- the illegitimate son, to be heir to the throne- this was blocked in the house of lords
1681- Charles II dissolves Parliament- locks up wig leaders
The poem is about this crisis
Uses the language of the Old Testament
Allegorical
1685- Charles dies- James II takes power
Monmouth is excluded- power goes to Catholic James
James appoints Catholics to high power position & tries to dissolve Parliament
2 wives- Anne (2 daughters) and Mary (1 son- James)
1688- William & Mary claim power
James Flees & William and Mary take power. It goes from Catholic heir to Protestant rule
Bill of Rights is produced by Parliament- limited monarchy, still used today.
Mary & William die without kids- no heir. The crown passes to Anne- Mary’s sister. She dies without kids as well.
Jacobite= people who followed James. Think succession should stay with Catholics.
Jacobites- with death of Anne, power should go back to James
The people in Parliament said they didn’t want a Catholic king
George I- very German, becomes king
Hanoverian Succession- German, Protestant
Series of revolts against Hanoverians
Jacobites uprising
What matters-
There was a fight if succession should be by blood- biological vs. political
Catholic vs. Protestant
First 20-40 years King George on the throne was threatened. England & Britain were threatened & unsettled
British Government was threatened by outside pressure & continually in crisis
1745- Everything was over. Britain becomes greatest power in the world.

By Gunnar Johnson