1642 - (Sept. 2) Theatres close as a result of the Puritan Revolution
1649 - Charles I beheaded
1649-1660 - Interregnum (Commonwealth of Cromwell)
1660 - Monarchy restored;
Charles II becomes king
Interest in arts & sciences reawakened; Royal Academy of Science founded;
French are satirized in plays as Catholics, fops, various social types
1668 - The Popish Plot
- Jesuit priests in disguise supposedly plot the murder of Charles II
(actually a rumour instigated by Titus Oats)
1685 - Charles II dies; James II (who is Catholic) ascends the throne
1688 - Glorious Bloodless
Revolution - Protestant government reestablished by
William & Mary
1689 - Bill of Rights gives Parliament more power, monarchy less power
1688-1689 > Threat from Scotland - rightful heirs are pretenders to the throne
1702 - Anne (who is Protestant) becomes queen; Wars of Succession with France
1713 - Peace of Utrecht ends wars with France
1714 - Anne dies; George
I becomes king; Sir Robert Walpole (Whig minister) controls
government
1727 - George I dies; George II ascends the throne
1727-1760 - widespread governmental corruption
1737 - Licensing Act
is established; Stationer's Company (office of Lord Chamberlain)
approves all plays; total censorship
1760 - George III (patron of the arts) becomes king
1760-1820 - New Optimism,
new definition of comedy emerges