The Clarendon ministry was forged out of the royalist camp of Charles II, who was returned to the throne (the English Restoration) in 1660. Two years previously, Lord Hyde (later Earl of Clarendon) had been appointed Lord Chancellor, and in 1660, he was joined by several other powerful statesmen, including the heir presumptive of the English throne, the Duke of York. After the Second Anglo-Dutch War, however, Charles lost confidence in his ministers, and in 1667, five statesmen took cooperative power in the Cabal ministry.

Lord Clarendon was impeached by the House of Commons and forced to flee; the Duke of Albemarle sold his position to George Villiers, 2nd Duke of Buckingham; and Sir George Carteret simply left his position, eventually being forced out of the House two years later.

Committee for Foreign Affairs

The Privy Council Committee for Foreign Affairs served as the ministry; other significant statesmen not in the committee are listed in the next section. As the name of the ministry would suggest, Lord Clarendon (earlier Lord Hyde) was, in effect, the leader of the government.

OfficeNameTermNotes
Lord ChancellorThe Lord Hyde16601667appointed 1658; created Earl of Clarendon in 1661
Lord High TreasurerThe Earl of Southampton16601667died before government was dissolved
Lord StewardThe Duke of Ormonde16601667also Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (16621668)
Master of the HorseThe Duke of Albemarle16601667also Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (16601662)
Southern SecretarySir Edward Nicholas16601662appointed 1654
Sir Henry Bennet, Bt.16621667created Baron Arlington in 1664
Northern SecretarySir William Morice16601667created a baronet in 1661
Secretary to the AdmiraltySir William Coventry16651667

Ministers not in committee

OfficeNameTermNotes
Lord Privy SealThe Lord Robartes16611667
Lord High AdmiralPrince James, Duke of York16601667
Lord ChamberlainThe Earl of Manchester16601667
Secretary of State for ScotlandThe Earl of Lauderdale16601667
Chancellor of the ExchequerThe Lord Ashley16611667
Treasurer of the NavySir George Carteret, Bt.16601667also Vice-Chamberlain of the Household
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