‘Catholic’ or ‘Cavalier’ policies, 1668 –1674

With hindsight one can see at various times in the past certain alternative courses of action which, if followed, might have changed the course of events dramatically and thereby obviated the consequences of decisions that were in fact taken. The six years after 1667 fall into this category. After the downfall of Clarendon two distinct courses of action were open to Charles II, which can be labelled ‘Cavalier’ and ‘Catholic’.