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The Declaration of Breda
(4 April 1660)
Charles R.
Charles, by the grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France and
Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all our loving subjects, of what
degree or quality soever, greeting.
If the general distraction and confusion which is spread over the whole
kingdom doth not awaken all men to a desire and longing that those wounds which
have so many years together been kept bleeding, may be bound up. all we can say
will be to no purpose; however, after this long silence, we have thought it our
duty to declare how much we desire to contribute thereunto; and that as we can
never give over the hope, in good time, to obtain the possession of that right
which God and nature hath made our due, so we do make it our daily suit to the
Divine Providence, that He will, in compassion to us and our subjects, after so
long misery and sufferings, remit and put us into a quiet and peaceable
possession of that our right, with as little blood and damage to our people as
is possible; nor do we desire more to enjoy what is ours, than that all our
subjects may enjoy what by law is theirs, by a full and entire administration
of justice throughout the land, and by extending our mercy where it is wanted
and deserved.
And to the end that the fear of punishment may not engage any, conscious
to themselves of what is past, to a perseverance in guilt for the future, by
opposing the quiet and happiness of their country, in the restoration of King,
Peers and people to their just, ancient and fundamental rights, we do, by these
presents, declare, that we do grant a free and general pardon, which we are
ready, upon demand, to pass under our Great Seal of England, to all our
subjects, of what degree or quality soever, who, within forty days after the
publishing hereof, shall lay hold upon this our grace and favour, and shall, by
any public act, declare their doing so, and that they return to the loyalty and
obedience of good subjects; excepting only such persons as shall hereafter be
excepted by Parliament, those only to be excepted. Let all our subjects, how
faulty soever, rely upon the word of a King, solemnly given by this present
declaration, that no crime whatsoever, committed against us or our royal father
before the publication of this, shall ever rise in judgment, or be brought in
question, against any of them, to the least endamagement of them, either in
their lives, liberties or estates or (as far forth as lies in our power) so
much as to the prejudice of their reputations, by any reproach or term of
distinction from the rest of our best subjects; we desiring and ordaining that
henceforth all notes of discord, separation and difference of parties be
utterly abolished among all our subjects, whom we invite and conjure to a
perfect union among themselves, under our protection, for the re-settlement of
our just rights and theirs in a free Parliament, by which, upon the word of a
King, we will be advised.
And because the passion and uncharitableness of the times have produced
several opinions in religion, by which men are engaged in parties and
animosities against each other (which, when they shall hereafter unite in a
freedom of conversation, will be composed or better understood), we do declare
a liberty to tender consciences, and that no man shall be disquieted or called
in question for differences of opinion in matter of religion, which do not
disturb the peace of the kingdom; and that we shall be ready to consent to such
an Act of Parliament, as, upon mature deliberation, shall be offered to us, for
the full granting that indulgence.
And because, in the continued distractions of so many years, and so many
and great revolutions, many grants and purchases of estates have been made to
and by many officers, soldiers and others, who are now possessed of the same,
and who may be liable to actions at law upon several titles, we are likewise
willing that all such differences, and all things relating to such grants,
sales and purchases, shall be determined in Parliament, which can best provide
for the just satisfaction of all men who are concerned.
And we do further declare, that we will be ready to consent to any Act
or Acts of Parliament to the purposes aforesaid, and for the full satisfaction
of all arrears due to the officers and soldiers of the army under the command
of General Monk; and that they shall be received into our service upon as good
pay and conditions as they now enjoy.
Given under our Sign Manual and Privy Signet, at our Court at Breda,
this 4/14 day of April, 1660, in the twelfth year of our reign.
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