Edward Hyde Biography and Timeline

Birth of Edward Hyde

Edward Hyde is born at Dinton in Wiltshire.

Magdalen Hall Oxford

Hyde enters Magdalen Hall, Oxford.

Middle Temple

Hyde becomes a member of the Middle Temple and pursues legal training.

Election to Long Parliament

Hyde is elected for Saltash and supports early constitutional reforms.

Long Parliament Begins

Hyde enters the Long Parliament and initially supports constitutional reform.

Long Parliament

Hyde is elected to the Long Parliament.

Opposition to Grand Remonstrance

Hyde opposes the Remonstrance as dangerously divisive and constitutionally excessive.

Royalist Reply to Remonstrance

Hyde helps articulate the constitutional case against Pym's programme.

Opposition to Grand Remonstrance

Hyde opposes the Grand Remonstrance and helps prepare the King's answer.

Drafting the Militia Reply

Hyde prepares arguments defending the King's traditional authority over the militia.

Royal Reply to Militia Bill

Hyde drafts the King's reply refusing Parliament's proposed control of the militia.

Chancellor of the Exchequer

Hyde is appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in the royalist administration.

Begins History of the Rebellion

Hyde begins writing his History of the Rebellion during royalist exile.

Lord Chancellor

Charles II appoints Hyde Lord Chancellor while the royal court remains in exile.

Declaration of Breda

Hyde helps shape the moderate royal policy offered in the Declaration of Breda.

Role range: 1609-1674

Drafting Declaration of Breda

Hyde helped formulate the declaration's promises and political language.

Role range: 1609-1674

Peerage

Created Earl of Clarendon on the day of the Coronation of Charles II

Declaration of Breda

Composes the Declaration of Breda for Charles II

Role range: 1658-1667

Lord Chancellor

Confirmed as Lord Chancellor after the Restoration

Role range: 1658-1667

Government

Becomes the leading royal minister after the return of Charles II.

Role range: 1658-1667

Cavalier Parliament

Clarendon guides royal policy as the Cavalier Parliament begins reshaping the Restoration settlement.

Role range: 1660-1667

Cavalier Parliament

Clarendon supports the king's programme as the Cavalier Parliament begins its work.

Role range: 1660-1667

Alliance Agreement at London

Clarendon supports the Portuguese match as a strategic alliance for the restored monarchy.

Role range: 1660-1667

Corporation Act

Clarendon's ministry backs the Corporation Act as part of the Restoration settlement.

Role range: 1660-1667

Earl of Clarendon

Hyde is created Earl of Clarendon.

Licensing of the Press Act

Clarendon supports tighter control of printing during the Restoration settlement.

Role range: 1660-1667

Act of Uniformity

Clarendon backs the religious legislation that becomes central to the Restoration settlement.

Role range: 1660-1667

Act of Uniformity

Clarendon's ministry supports the religious settlement confirmed by the Act of Uniformity.

Role range: 1660-1667

Hearth Tax

Clarendon's ministry accepts the hearth tax as part of the financial settlement for the crown.

Role range: 1660-1667

Carolina Charter

Named as one of the Lords Proprietors in the Carolina charter.

Role range: 1660-1667

Staple Act

Clarendon's ministry supports trade regulation under the Navigation Acts.

Role range: 1660-1667

Conventicle Act

The Conventicle Act restricts unauthorised religious meetings outside the Church of England.

Role range: 1660-1667

Legislation

Clarendon's ministry supports legislation against nonconformist religious assemblies.

Role range: 1660-1667

Legislation

Hyde supports the Restoration religious settlement enforcing conformity against dissent.

Role range: 1660-1667

Legislation

Parliament advances religious uniformity by restricting conventicles and dissenting worship.

Role range: 1660-1667

Reform of Church Governance

The Restoration government strengthens Anglican conformity through measures later called the Clarendon Code.

Role range: 1660-1667

Reform of Parliament

Clarendon backs parliamentary reforms intended to secure the restored Church of England.

Role range: 1660-1667

Exile after Fall from Office

Clarendon leaves England after losing political power and spends his final years in exile.

Death of Edward Hyde

Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, dies at Rouen.

Death of Edward Hyde

Deah of Edward Hyde, in exile