Abstract:
Silius Titus was a figure of importance in the England of the Restoration crisis of popery and arbitrary government (1678-83), however, he has gone largely unstudied up to this point, and when he has been, has usually been dismissed as a figure of little genuine political principle or importance. The dismissal of Titus’ importance stems in a large part from J. R. Jones’ interpretation of the structure of political parties during the crisis – Jones regarded the Whigs in particular as an ordered party led by the Earl of Shaftesbury and dedicated to the goal of Exclusion. Titus, a Whig, was an enemy of Shaftesbury, and while he supported Exclusion, was often more focused on the goal of achieving toleration for protestant dissenters (Titus himself was a Presbyterian). While Titus switched between support and opposition to the Court at different times in his career, this was the result of deeply held beliefs forged in the crucible of the English Civil Wars (1642-51) and Interregnum (1649-60). Titus became a lifelong opponent of arbitrary government and champion of toleration for Protestant dissenters. It was these two core beliefs that shaped his behaviour in the Restoration Crisis and the later ‘Glorious Revolution’. While in many periods Titus was not the prime mover in the affairs of the three Kingdoms (but does, nevertheless, act as a good reflection of certain groups), for a six month period between October 1680 and March 1681 Titus and his friend and colleague, William Jones were the undisputed leaders of the House of Commons. This leadership marked the ‘high tide’ of Whig power, in which the Whigs, led by Titus and Jones embarked on a campaign to bring the Court to heel through the denial of funds. This grip on power was only broken with the resumption of French funding for the Monarchy, which allowed the King (Charles II) to rule without Parliament. On top of his political importance, Titus was one of the most entertaining and eloquent speakers in the House throughout his political career. As such, a biography of Silius Titus is long overdue.