Contrary to the general, received view, the restoration in 1660 of the monarchy, House of Lords and the Anglican state church was far from universally popular in England or beneficial to all of its people. The king was wise enough to understand that many of his subjects were potential rebels, hence his lenient attempt to pacify them with the generous terms of his Declaration of Breda. Yet some of his most devoted followers could not tolerate their former enemies or resist the temptation to humiliate and punish them. Unfortunately, in January 1661, an event took place in London which provided them with an excuse for taking revenge.
