Popery, Arbitrary Government, and War, 1670–8

This chapter examines Charles II’s political and military problems during the Third Anglo-Dutch War as he once again attempted a policy of religious toleration. With the country at war, Charles was confronted with the dilemma of appointing a commander for his army and with the problem of how to discipline this newly increased force. But even more difficult was his relationship with parliament, which was intensely suspicious of the army. Parliament remained deeply concerned that the army had been infiltrated by Catholics. Moreover, parliament continued to be apprehensive of Charles’s plans for his army, particularly when the army was enlarged to fight a war with France in 1678.