The Test Act of 1673 and its aftermath

Abstract

"There were personal reasons, however, why Charles was anxious to have the Declaration accepted. Early in 1669 his brother, James, Duke of York and heir presumptive, had revealed to Charles and to two members of the Cabal, Oifford and Arlington, that he had become a Roman Catholic. Charles now expressed a desire to promote the Roman Catholic interest in his realm and, following negotiations with Louis XIV, signed the secret Treaty of Dover in May 1670. Financially it was a bad bargain for the King. The Commons had supported the second Dutch war but their grants towards its cost left a short-fall of £1! million. For a third war Louis was offering less than £170,000. By the Treaty Charles reserved the right to choose the time when he should announce his SU!bmission to Rome, but his Declaration must surely be regarded as a first step along the road leading to the reinstatement of Roman Catholicism, even though Protestant Dissenters would have been the greater beneficiaries in the terms of its provisions. It was the King's plan to permit to the Roman Catholics "the exercise of their worship in their private houses only"."