How did the Restoration settlement impact religious tolerance?

The Restoration settlement increased religious tolerance but still imposed restrictions on non-Anglican groups.

The Restoration settlement, which began in 1660 with the return of Charles II to the throne, aimed to stabilise England after years of civil war and republican rule. One of its key aspects was addressing the religious divisions that had caused much conflict. The Church of England was re-established as the state church, and the Clarendon Code was introduced to enforce conformity. This included the Act of Uniformity (1662), which required all clergy to use the Book of Common Prayer, and the Conventicle Act (1664), which banned religious meetings of more than five people outside the Church of England.

However, the Restoration settlement also saw some moves towards greater religious tolerance. The Declaration of Breda (1660) promised a degree of religious freedom, and Charles II himself was more inclined towards tolerance, partly due to his Catholic sympathies. The 1672 Declaration of Indulgence attempted to suspend the penal laws against nonconformists and Catholics, although it was quickly withdrawn due to parliamentary opposition.

Despite these efforts, non-Anglican groups, such as Puritans, Quakers, and Catholics, still faced significant restrictions and persecution. The Test Acts (1673 and 1678) excluded Catholics from holding public office, and nonconformists were often fined or imprisoned for their beliefs. It wasn't until the Toleration Act of 1689, after the Glorious Revolution, that nonconformists gained the right to worship freely, although Catholics and Unitarians were still excluded.

In summary, while the Restoration settlement did introduce some elements of religious tolerance, it maintained significant restrictions on non-Anglican groups, reflecting the ongoing tensions and complexities of religious politics in 17th-century England.