Succession
Signs a declaration he had only married Queen Catherine, makes Monmouth illegitimate
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1678 in England
Explore 36 historical events and records for England in 1678.
Historical records for England in 1678
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 36 of 36 unique records.
36Unique records
1 of 1Page
25Named events on this page
17Named people on this page
6Places on this page
March
April
Reform of Royal Succession
Chalrles attempts to prevent the passing of the Exclusion Bill. Agrees Catholic Sovereigns will lose control of Church & Government appointments
May
Parliament
Dismisses Parliament after 1st & 2nd readings of the Exclusion Bill pass the Commons
August
Peace of Nijmegen
The Dutch Republic concludes peace with France at Nijmegen, ending its principal part in the Franco-Dutch War fought under the leadership of William III of Orange.
Battle of Saint-Denis
William III of Orange attacks the French army near Saint-Denis shortly after the peace settlement, in one of the final major actions of the war.
November
Popish Plot
Titus Oates joins forces with Israel Tonge to invent the story of the Popish Plot. Claims that there is a Jesuit-guided plan to assassinate Charles II to hasten the succession of the Catholic James, Duke of York, later James II
Halley Elected Royal Society Fellow
The Royal Society elected Halley a fellow on 30 November in recognition of his scientific achievements.
Plot
A fabricated Popish plot causes anti-catholic reprisals on the streets of London
Other events (month unknown)
Arrest of Thomas Osbourne
Imprisoned until 1684. Although pardoned by Charles II, Danby is imprisoned in the Tower
Battle of St Denis
Commander of Anglo-Dutch brigade, now fighting for the United Provinces against the French, he distinguishes himself at the Battle of St Denis
Brigadier of Foot
Receives appointment as a brigadier of foot after years of active military and court service.
Churchill Marriage Publicly Acknowledged
John Churchill and Sarah Jennings publicly acknowledged their marriage after an earlier private wedding.
Commander of Ango-Dutch Brigade
Commander of Anglo-Dutch brigade, now fighting for the United Provinces against the French, he distinguishes himself at the Battle of St Denis
Decameron Physiologicum
Hobbes publishes Decameron Physiologicum, ten dialogues on natural philosophy.
Halley Returns from Atlantic Expedition
Halley returned to England with extensive observations that expanded European knowledge of southern skies.
Impeachment
Tried for accepting bribes and negotiations with foreign powers and Popish plots. Betrayed by Montagu as Charles II's secret negotiator with Louis XIV
Legislation
A 2nd Test Act is passed requiring all members of the Houses of Commons & Lords to swear an oath
Marriage
Marries the 1st Duke of Marlborough
Oxford Degree Awarded by Royal Mandate
Halley received his Oxford master's degree through royal intervention despite interrupted undergraduate study.
Plot
Takes advantage of the fictitious Popish plot to create anti-catholic hysteria
Plot
Executed for a part allegedly played in the fictitious Popish plot
Popish Plot
The death of Edmund Berry Godfrey is attributed to the Catholics, three innocent men are hanged
Popish Plot
Oates enjoys temporary eminence and even accuses Queen Catherine of plotting to poison the King.
Popish Plot
The death of Edmund Berry Godfrey is attributed to the Catholics, three innocent men are hanged.
Popish Plot
The episode involved the judicial murder of Roman Catholic peers and commoners.
Popish Plot
Titus Oates claims that there is a Jesuit-guided plan to assassinate Charles II to hasten the succession of the Catholic James, Duke of York, later James II.
Popish Plot
Titus Oates joins forces with Israel Tonge to invent the story of the Popish Plot.
Privy Council
Appointed Privy Counsellor
Reform of Parliament
A Bill is passed banning Catholics from sitting in the Commons & the Lords
Reform of Parliament
Parliament presents a Bill to control the Militia. 1st time Charles vetoes a Bill, a generation earlier precipitated the Civil War
Reform of Royal Succession
2nd reading of the Exclusion Bill to prevent succession of the Duke of York
Southern Star Catalogue Published
Halley published Catalogus Stellarum Australium, a pioneering catalogue of southern stars.
Speaker of House of Commons
Appointed Speaker of the House of Commons
Succession
Rumours say Charles had married Lucy Walter making Monmouth his legitimate heir
Whig Party
Leads the Exclusionists to exclude Catholics from the throne & founds the Whig Party
Wren Designs Saint Peter Cornhill
Wren's office directed the rebuilding of St Peter upon Cornhill during the post-fire church programme.
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.