The English Civil War^225

The coronation of King Charles 11 in 1661.

because the return of monarchy seemed to end the extended period of divi­
sion and chaos. He used grand royal ceremonies to help restore faith in the
monarchy, even attempting to cure sufferers of scrofula with the “royal
touch’’ of his hand, as had his predecessors centuries earlier.
Although the English Civil War was a victory for parliamentary rule, in
some ways the Restoration turned the clock back to before the conflict.
The Church of England again became the Established Church. The crown
refused to extend official toleration to other religions, and the Church of
England expelled Presbyterian ministers. Once again the king, chronically
short of money, depended on Parliament for funds.
The way now seemed clear for England to continue to expand its com­
merce and influence in a climate of social and political peace. Between 1660
and 1688, the tonnage hauled by English ships more than doubled, as the
merchant fleet established regular trade routes to Newfoundland, Virginia,
and the Caribbean. In 1664, a small English force seized the Dutch colony
of New Amsterdam, which became New York City. Tobacco, calico, furs,
sugar, chocolate, and rum brought from the New World changed habits of
consumption. London became a booming port, and the East India Company
emerged as a powerful force in shaping royal policy. Lloyd’s of London began
to insure vessels sailing to the New World in 1688. By then almost half of