THE RESTORATION
In 1660, after 20 years of instability and violence, England
returned to the pre-war status quo - with a free Parliament
and a new monarch, Charles II. Unlike his father, 
Charles I, the new king was a shrewd politician, 
prepared to sacrifice policies if needs be - though still 
convinced of the divine right of kings. 

Parliament, in turn, had a new sense of its own power, 
and was able to impose some limits on the king - for example by
forcing him to dismiss unpopular ministers. However, no formal
conditions were imposed - and the question of where power lay
remained unanswered for a further thirty years.