444 Danby's New Way

In episode 444 of 'The History of England,' the podcast explores the political transformation of England in the mid-17th century through the rise of Thomas Osborne, Earl of Danby—later known as 'Danners'—a shrewd and pragmatic financier who sought to stabilize Charles II's troubled reign. The episode opens with a vibrant vignette on Margaret Cavendish, the pioneering female polymath and writer who defied gender norms in the Restoration era by publishing under her own name and becoming the first woman invited to the Royal Society. This sets the stage for a deeper dive into Danby’s 'New Way'—a bold political strategy to reassert royal authority through financial reform, religious orthodoxy, and the creation of a loyal 'Court Party' in Parliament. Danby’s plan centered on three convictions: staunch Anglicanism, fear of France, and unwavering loyalty to the Stuart monarchy. Despite Charles II’s pro-French inclinations, Danby pushed for a Protestant alliance with the Dutch, using financial discipline, propaganda, and systematic patronage to build a parliamentary majority. However, his efforts were repeatedly undermined by Charles’s foreign entanglements, particularly his secret alliance with Louis XIV, who offered £100,000 annually to keep Parliament prorogued. This led to a dramatic standoff, culminating in Charles dissolving Parliament and relying on French bribes to maintain independence from parliamentary control. The episode ends with Danby’s political ambitions in limbo, setting up future conflicts over religion, sovereignty, and the balance of power between crown and Parliament.