ABSTRACT
Blackwell survived the re-imposition of monarchy and retreated out of London to live in North Wales and settle in Dublin, partly to remove himself from Restoration persecution but also in an attempt to protect the Irish estate that he and his father had spent so much time, money and effort to secure since 1642. Despite the re-imposition of monarchy Blackwell maintained links with old New Model comrades and was part of continuing networks of civil war radicals after 1660 that showed their willingness to own their past and help each other negotiate the dangers of the Restoration world. From retreating to Ireland in the 1660s to escape Restoration persecution, by his permanent return to London in 1691, Blackwell had not only survived the re-imposition of monarchy but also explored new opportunities, some of which came from his second marriage to the daughter of his comrade, Major-General John Lambert.
