The years 1681–1685 marked a decisive turning point in late Stuart politics, where royal authority reasserted itself, Whig opposition declined, and the Church became a crucial pillar of the political order. This period saw the collapse of Whig hopes after the Exclusion Crisis, the emergence of Tory ascendancy, and the dramatic failure of the Rye House Plot.

The Rye House Plot (1683)

The Rye House Plot was an alleged conspiracy in 1683 to assassinate Charles II and his brother James, Duke of York on their return from Newmarket races. The plan supposedly centred on ambushing the royal coach near Rye House in Hertfordshire.

Rye House gatehouse, Hoddesdon, the only standing remnant of the manor associated with the 1683 plot. Its position near the road made it a plausible ambush point in contemporary accounts. Image shows architectural details that survive from the period, aiding spatial understanding of the alleged conspiracy. Source

Although the assassination scheme may have been exaggerated, the uncovering of the plot provided the Crown with an opportunity to destroy what remained of organised Whig opposition.

• Several prominent Whigs were implicated, including Lord Russell, Algernon Sidney, and the Earl of Essex.

Mezzotint portrait of William, Lord Russell (c.1683), after Godfrey Kneller. Russell’s arrest and execution became emblematic of Whig defeat in 1683. The oval bust format and formal wig reflect elite political culture in late Stuart England. Source

• Trials were conducted with heavily biased judges and juries, leading to executions and imprisonments.

• The Whig movement lost many of its leading figures, either through death, exile, or political marginalisation.

The discovery of the plot enabled Charles II to portray the Whigs as dangerous subversives and conspirators, undermining their legitimacy.

Tory Power 1681–1685

After the Oxford Parliament of 1681 was dissolved, Charles II no longer faced parliamentary opposition and relied on alternative sources of revenue, including French subsidies, customs duties, and the prudent management of Crown lands. The Rye House Plot accelerated the Tory resurgence, consolidating royalist dominance.

Features of Tory dominance

• Association with loyalty: The Tories were portrayed as the defenders of monarchy, order, and stability, in contrast to Whigs, now tainted with treason.

• Control of boroughs: Through the quo warranto proceedings, many borough charters were revoked or remodelled to ensure loyalist dominance in elections and local government.

• Royal propaganda emphasised the dangers of rebellion, promoting loyalty to the Crown as both a political and religious duty.

Tory strength rested not only on royal patronage but also on their ideological support for monarchy, episcopacy, and established order.

Whig Weakness 1681–1685

By the mid-1680s, the Whig party was fractured and demoralised. Their reputation had been severely damaged by the events of the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681) and the association with conspiracy through the Rye House Plot.

Causes of Whig decline

• Exile of leaders: Key figures such as the Duke of Monmouth fled abroad, depriving the movement of leadership.

• Harsh punishments: Executions of Sidney and Russell provided grim warnings, deterring further open resistance.

• Loss of popular support: With memories of the Civil War still strong, the public associated Whig radicalism with disorder.

Whig propaganda had also failed to sustain momentum, as their attempts to link monarchy with Catholic absolutism were undercut by Charles II’s careful management of his public image.

The Anglican Church in 1685

The Anglican Church emerged as a decisive stabilising force during this period, aligning itself closely with the monarchy and Tory politics.

A 1662 Book of Common Prayer, widely used across the Church of England in the later Stuart period. Its rites and uniformity underpinned clerical preaching on loyalty and order. The stained-glass setting is extra context beyond the syllabus focus. Source

• Bishops preached sermons emphasising loyalty and passive obedience, reinforcing the belief that resistance to the monarch was sinful.

• The Church promoted the doctrine of non-resistance, arguing that subjects must obey rulers, even if unjust.

• Clergy played a key role in spreading loyalist propaganda, shaping public opinion in favour of the monarchy.

In 1685, on the death of Charles II, the Church’s support helped ensure the smooth accession of James II, despite his open Catholicism, demonstrating its political influence.

The Legacy of 1681–1685

This period saw the consolidation of royal authority, the eclipse of Whig opposition, and the emergence of a firm link between Tory politics and the Anglican establishment. The Rye House Plot acted as both a catalyst for repression and a justification for the restoration of order, while the Church underpinned loyalty and obedience. The balance of political power had decisively shifted, setting the stage for the succession crisis under James II.