Dominion and Liberty
Following the Restoration of King Charles II, the country charted a well-planned course between the extremes of civil licence and Government control.
1688
King Charles II 1649-1685
Following the Restoration of King Charles II, the country charted a well-planned course between the extremes of civil licence and Government control.
1688
King Charles II 1649-1685
George Savile, 1st Marquess of Halifax, won for himself the nickname of ‘the Trimmer’ for his ability to sail a course between political extremes. It was intended as a snub, but he wore the badge with pride, maintaining that we needed both Charles II’s strong government and also Parliament’s vigorous defence of civil liberties in order for our country to prosper.
OUR Trimmer admireth our blessed Constitution, in which Dominion and Liberty are so well reconciled; it giveth to the Prince the glorious Power of commanding Freemen, and to the Subject, the satisfaction of seeing the Power so lodged, as that their Liberties are secure; it doth not allow the Crown such a Ruining Power, as that no grass can grow where e’er it treadeth, but a Cherishing and Protecting Power; such a one as hath a grim Aspect only to the offending Subjects, but is the joy and the Pride of all the good ones; their own interest being so bound up in it, as to engage them to defend and support it; and tho’ in some instances the King is restrain’d, yet nothing in the Government can move without him.