[1] Politically, the Whigs and Tories may perhaps be considered as the successors of the Roundheads and Cavaliers of the civil war, the former seeking to limit the power of the Crown, the latter to extend it.  At the Restoration (1660), the Cavaliers were all-powerful; but at the time of the dispute on the Exclusiiion Bill (1679), the Roundhead, or People’s party, had revived.  On account of their petitioning the King to summon a new Parliament, by means of which they hoped to carry the bill shutting out the Catholic Duke of York from the throne, they were called “Petitioners,” and later, “Whigs”; while those who expressed their abhorrence of their efforts were called “Abhorrers,” and afterwards, “Tories.”  The more radical Whigs came to be known as the “Country Party,” and at least one of their most prominent leaders, Algernon Sidney, was in favor of restoring the republican form of government in England.

The excitement over this Exclusion Bill (S478) threatened at one period to bring on another civil war.  In his fury against the Whigs, Charles revoked the charters of London and many other cities, which were regranted only on terms agreeable to the Tories.  An actual outbreak against the government would probably have occurred had it not been for the discovery of a new conspiracy, which resulted in a reaction favorable to the Crown.

480.  The Rye-House Plot (1683).

This conspiracy, known as the “Rye-House Plot,” had for its object the murder of Charles and his brother James at a place called the Rye House in Hertfordshire, not far from London.  It was concocted by a number of violent Whigs, who, in their disappointment at their failure to secure the passage of the Exclusion Bill (S478), took this method of gaining their ends.

It is said that they intended placing on the throne James, Duke of Monmouth, a natural son of Charles, who was popularly known as the “Protestant Duke.”  Algernon Sidney, Lord Russell, and the Earl of Essex, who were prominent advocates of the Exclusion Bill (S478), were arrested for participating in the plot.  Essex committed suicide in the Tower; Sidney and Russell were tried, convicted, and sentenced to death on insufficient evidence.  They died martyrs to the cause of liberty,—­Russell, with the fortitude of a Christian; Sidney, with the calmness of a philosopher.  The Duke of Monmouth, who was supposed to be implicated in the plot, was banished to Holland (S486).

481.  The Royal Society (1662).

Early in this reign the Royal Society was established for purposes of scientific research.  In an age when thousands of well-informed people still cherished a lingering belief that lead might be changed into gold; that some medicine might be discovered which would cure every disease, (including old age, that worst disease of all); when every cross-grained old woman was suspected of witchcraft, and was liable to be tortured and hanged on that suspicion,—­the formation of an association to study the physical facts was most significant.