Culture and Politics at the Court of Charles II, 1660-1685 (Studies in Early Modern Cultural, Political and Social History) (Volume 9)

A study of how representations and images of Charles II and his kingship were formed and presented by those in and around the court. The reconstitution of the royal court in 1660 brought with it the restoration of fears that had been associated with earlier Stuart courts: disorder, sexual liberty, popery and arbitrary government. This book - the first full examination of its subject - illustrates the ways in which court culture was informed by the heady politics of Britain between 1660 and 1685. In political theory and practice the decades that preceded and included Charles II's reign witnessed profound interrogation of British kingship. Individuals at the heart of royal government - court preachers, poets, playwrights, courtesans, diplomats, and politicians - were assertive participants in this scrutiny. This book looks beyond the prurient interest in the sexual antics of Restoration courtiers that has characterised previous works. It engages in a genuine and sophisticated attempt to show how the complex dynamics of Charles II's court culture ran beneath the surface of show and ceremony. Ultimately it shows that the attempts to stabilise and strengthen the Stuart monarchy after the Restoration of Charles II were undercut by the cultural materials emanating fromthe royal court itself. MATTHEW JENKINSON completed his PhD at Merton College, Oxford. CONTENTS 6 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 10 ABBREVIATIONS AND CONVENTIONS 14 1 Approaches and Contexts 18 2 Court, City and Restoration 38 3 Sermons at Court 92 4 The ‘Understanding’ of Calisto 124 5 The Court Wits and Their King 151 6 John Dryden and His King 184 7 Court Culture and the Tory Reaction 198 8 Conclusion 229 APPENDIX I. Nathanael Vincent’s translation of Confucius’s‘ Great Learning’ (1685) 258 APPENDIX II. Court Officers associated with the Chapel Royal, 1660–1685 259 SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY 260 INDEX 304 The Reconstitution Of The Royal Court In 1660 Brought With It The Restoration Of Fears That Had Been Associated With Earlier Stuart Courts: Disorder, Sexual Liberty, Popery And Arbitrary Government. This Volume Illustrates The Ways In Which Court Culture Was Informed By The Heady Politics Of Britain Between 1660 And 1685. Matthew Jenkinson. Includes Bibliographical References And Index.