Effectively creates the
divides within Parliament:
the Whigs and Tories
Could be seen as trying to subvert the role of Parliament
Tories were the 'Court' party supposedly loyal to him (and obviously Charles)
Generally disliked by MPs
By late 1675, over 30 MPs receiving substantial crown pensions and
recieving personalised letters before parliament, directing them to support the crown.
Emphasises fear among MPs that there was a
plan to enforce Catholicism and absolutism on
the country
With Charles
Tries but fails to curb his spending
Crown debt increased by
£750,000 between 1674-1679
However, showed restraint in role as Lord Treasurer, and
improved Charles's financial position. Perhaps more
important was the withdrawal from the Dutch War in 1674
(ToW) and a boom in trade. These cut costs and boosted
income so that by 1677 royal income was averaging about
£1.4m pa.
Tries to get Charles to follow a
Pro-Dutch FP, like Parliament want,
and in doing so, alienates Charles
Charles carries out the secret negotiations with Louis XIV without him
Marries James's daughter to
Prince William of Orange
Works with Charles's
mistresses to secure his
own authority and
position
Charles's Chief Minister from 1673-1679
1673: appointed Lord Treasurer
Brought down by his own duplicity in foreign relations; Charles
had continued relations with France, and despite Danby's
pro-Dutch approach, he had acted on direct requests from Charles
to write to Montagu and get money from Louis XIV. This, along
with his unpopularity, meant that there was an attempt to
impeach him. Charles dismissed him but also pardoned him to
avoid a trial and his own role in the negotiations with France being
exposed.