Religious strife- the Test Act and the Exclusion Bill—James II and the Jacobite Risings

 Religious strife- the Test Act and the Exclusion Bill—

James II and the Jacobite Risings

The Restoration of the monarchy in 1660 under Charles II did not bring an end to England’s long-standing religious divisions. While Charles sought to maintain a degree of religious tolerance, conflicts between Anglicans, Catholics, and Protestant dissenters intensified. Key moments in this religious strife included the passage of the Test Act (1673), the Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681), the reign of James II, and the subsequent Jacobite risings after the Glorious Revolution of 1688.

1. Religious Tensions Under Charles II

After the Puritan rule under Oliver Cromwell (1649–1660), England saw a resurgence of Anglicanism as the state religion. However, deep divisions persisted:

  • Anglicans (Church of England) sought to maintain their dominance.
  • Catholics were distrusted and often suspected of plotting against Protestant rule.
  • Dissenters (Nonconformists), including Presbyterians, Quakers, and Baptists, faced persecution for rejecting the Church of England.

The Clarendon Code (1661–1665): Suppressing Dissenters

Early in Charles II’s reign, Parliament passed the Clarendon Code, a series of laws designed to enforce Anglican supremacy:




The Clarendon Code was a series of laws passed between 1661 and 1665 to weaken the power of Nonconformists in England. The laws were named after Edward Hyde, the 1st Earl of Clarendon, who was a key advisor to King Charles II. 


  • The Corporation Act (1661): Required all officeholders in towns to swear allegiance to the Church of England.
  • The Act of Uniformity (1662): Mandated the use of the Book of Common Prayer, forcing over 2,000 Puritan ministers to resign.
  • The Conventicle Act (1664): Banned religious meetings of more than five people outside the Church of England.
  • The Five Mile Act (1665): Prohibited Nonconformist ministers from coming within five miles of incorporated towns.

These laws targeted Protestant dissenters rather than Catholics, though anti-Catholic sentiment remained strong.

2. The Test Act (1673): Anti-Catholic Measures

Catholic Suspicion and the Test Act

Although Charles II was officially Anglican, he was personally sympathetic to Catholicism (his mother was a devout Catholic, and he had spent time in Catholic France during exile). However, Parliament was deeply anti-Catholic, fearing a Catholic resurgence.

To prevent Catholics from holding office, Parliament passed the Test Act of 1673, which required all military and government officials to:

  1. Take an oath of allegiance to the Anglican Church.
  2. Receive Anglican Communion.
  3. Renounce the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation.

Impact of the Test Act

  • It effectively barred Catholics from government and military positions.
  • Charles II’s brother James, Duke of York (the future James II), a known Catholic, was forced to resign as Lord High Admiral.
  • Catholic persecution increased, leading to intensified political and religious divisions.

3. The Exclusion Crisis (1679–1681)

The Popish Plot (1678) and Anti-Catholic Hysteria

Anti-Catholic tensions erupted into national paranoia with the Popish Plot, a fabricated conspiracy by Titus Oates, who falsely claimed that Catholics were plotting to assassinate Charles II and install James, Duke of York, as king.

  • Although completely false, the Popish Plot led to mass hysteria, executions of innocent Catholics, and increased pressure to bar James from the throne.
  • Protestant MPs, fearing a Catholic monarch, introduced the Exclusion Bill in 1679, seeking to exclude James from the line of succession.

The Exclusion Bill and Charles II’s Response

  • Whigs (led by the Earl of Shaftesbury) supported the Exclusion Bill, arguing that a Catholic king would destroy Protestant England.
  • Tories (supporters of the monarchy) opposed it, believing in the divine right of kings.
  • Charles II dissolved Parliament three times (1679–1681) to prevent the Exclusion Bill from passing.

By 1681, Charles ruled without Parliament, suppressing Whig opposition and ensuring James remained heir.

4. James II and His Attempt to Restore Catholic Power (1685–1688)

James II’s Reign (1685–1688): A Catholic King in a Protestant Nation


James II ascended the throne in 1685, despite widespread Protestant fears. Initially, he faced little opposition, as he promised to uphold the Church of England. However, he quickly alienated his subjects through pro-Catholic policies:

  • Ignored the Test Act and appointed Catholics to key government and military positions.
  • Issued the Declaration of Indulgence (1687): Suspended penal laws against Catholics and dissenters, angering Anglicans.
  • Put Catholics in command of the army, alarming Protestant leaders.

The Glorious Revolution (1688): James Overthrown

James’s Catholic favoritism might have been tolerated had he not fathered a Catholic heir in 1688. The birth of James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Old Pretender") raised fears of a Catholic dynasty.

  • Leading Protestant nobles invited William of Orange (James’s Protestant son-in-law and nephew) and Mary (James’s Protestant daughter) to invade England.
  • William landed in November 1688, and James, finding little support, fled to France—marking the end of his reign and the Catholic monarchy in England.

5. The Jacobite Risings (1689–1746)

What Were the Jacobite Risings?

After James II’s overthrow, his supporters—called Jacobites (from the Latin Jacobus, meaning James)—attempted to restore him and his descendants to the throne. These uprisings were especially strong in Scotland and Ireland, where Catholic and royalist loyalties remained.

Key Jacobite Risings

  1. First Jacobite Rising (1689–1691)
    • James landed in Ireland to reclaim his throne, supported by Irish Catholics and French troops.
    • Defeated at the Battle of the Boyne (1690) by William III, securing Protestant rule in England.
  2. The 1715 Rebellion ("The '15")
    • Led by James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Old Pretender").
    • Jacobites in Scotland, led by the Earl of Mar, rose against King George I.
    • Defeated at the Battle of Sheriffmuir, and the rebellion collapsed.
  3. The 1745 Rebellion ("The '45")
    • Led by Charles Edward Stuart, son of James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Young Pretender" or "Bonnie Prince Charlie").
    • Successfully occupied Edinburgh and advanced into England.
    • Defeated at the Battle of Culloden (1746), marking the final end of the Jacobite cause.

Impact of the Jacobite Defeats

  • Harsh reprisals: Scottish Highlanders were brutally suppressed, and Jacobite lands were confiscated.
  • End of Stuart hopes: The Jacobite movement faded, solidifying the Hanoverian monarchy.
  • Scottish culture suppressed: The government banned Highland dress and the Gaelic language to weaken Jacobite identity.

6. Conclusion

Religious conflict defined Restoration England, as anti-Catholic laws (Test Act), political struggles (Exclusion Crisis), and uprisings (Jacobite rebellions) shaped British history. James II’s attempt to restore Catholic power led to the Glorious Revolution, which ensured Protestant dominance in Britain. The Jacobite risings, though dramatic, ultimately failed, securing Hanoverian rule and the Protestant succession.

Prepared by
Jacob Eapen Kunnath
Dept. of English, CMS College Kottayam (Autonomous)


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