The Restoration and Eighteenth Century
I. Political Aspects
A. Charles I and Oliver Cromwell
B. Charles II
C. James II
D. William and Mary (The Glorious Revolution)
E. Anne
F. House of Hanover
1. George I
2. George II
3. George III
II. Life during the Restoration
I>
Great Plague (1665)
II> Great Fire of London (1666)
III> Growth of the Cities
a. Industrial Growth
b. Scientific Advances
III. Various Labels for the Eighteenth Century
IV. Literary Achievements
1. First Dictionary and Grammar Book
2. First Magazines
3. The Essay
4. Satire
5. Literary Criticism
6. First Novels
V. Arts and Society
A. Music, Architecture, Art
B. Coffeehouses
CIVIL WAR
1642-1649
Charles I was beheaded by angry Puritans in the
“Protestant Reformation”, led by Oliver Cromwell.
Oliver Cromwell—Lord
Protector of the
Commonwealth
First Non-Royal Ruler of
England
Dictator
Strict Moralist
Religious Strife
Succeeded by his son,
Richard, who was unable
to hold the kingdom.
Restoration Period
1660--Charles II is recalled
from France
A “Restoration” of the
Monarchy
Rejection of Puritans
Royal Society of London
Established
James II
Catholic
Jacobites
Fled to exile in France
NO CIVIL WAR!!!!
William and Mary
The Glorious Revolution--1688
Mary II of England.. IRC. 2005.
unitedstreaming. 15 November 2006
<http://www.unitedstreaming.com
Queen Anne
Hanoverians
King George I of England (r.1714-1727).. IRC. 2005.
unitedstreaming. 15 November 2006
<http://www.unitedstreaming.com
King George III
VARIOUS LABELS FOR THE 18TH CENTURY
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III. The eighteenth century has been given several labels:
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•
•
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Age of Reason – anything could be achieved through the calm working of
the mind. People stopped asking “Why?” and started asking “How?”
(Logic)
Age of Classicism – (Neo-classicism) a fascination with the classical styles
of Ancient Greece and Rome. Neo-classicists focused upon order, balance,
and harmony in their art.
Age of Elegance – upper classes led an elegant lifestyle. Charles II, while exiled in
France, picked up the styles of the French and wore them when he got home to
England. The upper class began to follow his lead. Men wore colorful knee breeches
and colorful coats, vests, and stocking. Women wore lavish costumes with corsets
so tight that breathing was difficult. Both sexes wore wigs or powdered their hair
(until the 1790’s hair powder tax led to natural hairdos).
Augustan Age – referred to the Emperor Augustus of a prosperous Rome of long ago
when commerce and great literature thrived (classical ancient Rome). Some divide
this period into two smaller periods:
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The Age of Pope (after Alexander Pope)
The Age of Johnson (after Samuel Johnson)
The greatest achievements in literature were not in poetry or drama, but in
prose. Literature was basically concerned with order, balance, and control of
thought and style.
Essay of Dramatic Poesy (1688) by John Dryden (Master of Modern English
Prose)
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755) by Samuel Johnson
Short Introduction to English Grammar (1762) by Robert Lowth
The Tatler and The Spectator (1711-1714) by Joseph Addison and Richard
Steele – England’s first magazines/newspapers (periodicals)
Essay on Criticism by Alexander Pope
“A Modest Proposal” by Jonathan Swift – satirical essay
Diary by Samuel Pepys -- historical
Political writings—like Swift
Philosophical writings
The novel
Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Tom Jones by Henry Fielding
Pamela by Samuel Richardson
Types of novels
picaresque
novel of sentiment
gothic novel
novel of manners