History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England by First earl of Clarendon
"History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England" by Edward, First Earl of Clarendon, is recognized as a foundational English historical work, providing a detailed narrative of the tumultuous period of the English Civil Wars and the broader political landscape of 17th-century England. Written during Clarendon's exile, the text reflects his royalist perspective, aiming to draw lessons from the "wicked times" marked by lawlessness and conflict. The history emphasizes Clarendon's experiences and insights, particularly his role as a trusted advisor to King Charles I, and later to Charles II during the Restoration.
Despite its biases—favoring the Royalist viewpoint and often neglecting the Commonwealth's perspective—the work is noted for its vigorous prose and detailed character portraits of significant figures from the era. Clarendon's commitment to constitutional law and his ability to navigate the complexities of power dynamics during this transformative period highlight his principled stance amidst political upheaval. His writings offer not only a historical account but also a reflection on governance, loyalty, and the moral implications of leadership. As such, the work holds a notable place in the canon of English literature and history, serving as both a commentary on past events and a guide for future governance.
History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England by First earl of Clarendon
First published: 1702, 1703, and 1704
Type of work: History
Time of work: 1625-1660
Locale: England, Scotland, Ireland, Holland, France, and Spain
Principal Personages:
Charles I ,Charles II ,Edward Hyde , Chancellor of the Exchequer, later Lord High Chancellor, Earl of ClarendonLucius Cary , Lord FalklandWilliam Laud , Archbishop of CanterburyOliver Cromwell ,General George Monk
Analysis
The HISTORY OF THE REBELLION AND THE CIVIL WARS IN ENGLAND has been called the first great English history , without which Macaulay’s famous continuation would not have been possible. Clarendon’s work was first published in three volumes, in 1702, 1703, and 1704, at Oxford, through the effort of his second son. THE LIFE OF EDWARD, EARL OF CLARENDON, . . . WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, a companion volume, was written expressly for his children and was not published until 1759. The history was begun informally, being compiled during his two periods of exile in which the earl hoped that something could be learned to improve the future from the “wicked times” of vindictive lawlessness. As an Anglican, loyalist, and legalist he acted always out of high principles during the exasperating Short and Long Parliaments, in exile, and in the Restoration court “full of excess, idleness, and luxury; and the country full of pride, mutiny, and discontent.”
The work is not known for its accuracy, although the first draft was completed when state documents were available, nor is it known for its completeness; Clarendon was biased and treated in detail the Royalist argument, to the neglect of the Commonwealth’s. However, he was aware that his art and method were different, full, vigorous, “with fidelity and freedom of all I know of persons and things.”
As an Oxford bachelor of arts in the Middle Temple, he had moved among the literati and intelligentsia; Ben Jonson and Lord Falkland were his mentors and friends. For twelve years a member of the House of Commons, he was quick to follow the lead of Falkland, learning statesmanship under his tutelage. Clarendon was inspired by the feeling of the revolutionary times, by classical historians whom he knew well, and by historians of his own time, notably Hooker. The history proper begins with his own removal from Parliament to the position of trusted adviser, chief defendant and speech writer, and Chancellor of the Exchequer for the ill-fated but kingly Charles I. Clarendon’s advice to Charles I, which was not heeded, was to bring about a conciliation of the factions of Puritans, Royalists, Levellers, Catholics, and Presbyterians. As Chancellor of the Exchequer, Clarendon raised money to support the royal cause and provide a government in exile. During this time he also wrote defenses of the king against the scurrilous accusations of Cromwell’s faction. When King Charles delivered himself to the Scottish army at Newark in 1646, his trusted adviser turned to the aid of the exiled Prince of Wales. After a break with Queen Henrietta Maria in France, he went to Spain in an attempt to enlist Catholic forces in a restoration of the monarchy.
In exile in Jersey, the great statesman continued his defense of the king while writing his great work. Clarendon advised Charles II at the time of the Restoration in 1660, and it is here that the HISTORY OF THE REBELLION comes to a conclusion, although during his banishment in 1668 Clarendon replaced some of the documents with portraits of influential and pivotal figures of the period. Clarendon never deserted his friends. He defended them against malicious slander, high treason, and any false charges made in the heat of the emotional times. The portraits were deeply and artistically conceived in their candor and touching in their defence of innocence, particularly in death of King Charles I, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Lord Falkland, who were executed at the time of the regicide.
The overcoming of his wise counsel through malicious mischief on the part of his highborn enemies, and in the face of thirty years of service to two monarchs, is characterized by restraint even when he faced a doubtful posterity. His autobiography, written in the third person and for his family, extends the history, recounts the disappointment of his daughter’s marriage to the Duke of York, later King James II, contains his praise of General George Monk, his elation over the return of the monarchy, his disappointment in the “French-influenced” court of Charles II, his good advice for avoiding the Dutch menace, and his sincere praise of crown and church.
The keynote to this remarkable work is Clarendon’s respect for and adherence to constitutional law: he opposed Parliament when it became dictatorial and the king when he became irresponsible. Clarendon’s reputation, then as now, was clear of any taint of self-serving, although his banishment seemed to be the result of overuse of power and complicity in the war with the Dutch. His judgment, discounting his own claims, always was enlightened and his conciliatory manner as exemplary as that of Sir Thomas More; but always his conscience was clear and his Anglican, Royalist, legalistic actions were consistent with his views.
In that “fit season” of the publication, his sons were loyal servants of the king, his daughter was the Queen of England and later the mother of queens, and his reputation was cleared. His grand canvas of cause and effect, together with his insight into men and their motives, has produced a monumental work almost without parallel in history and letters. He was aware that his panoramic view was an innovation, that his analyses of personages manipulating events with such dire consequences were literary as well as historical; and he wrote a rhythmic prose, perhaps too antithetical and parenthetical even for the convoluted style of those times, yet with verve and directness. His work looks toward the Age of Reason.