An Apologie for the Royal Party (1659); and A Panegyric to Charles the Second (1661)

"An Apologie for the Royal Party" by John Evelyn is a powerful political piece from a turbulent era in British history, where the author passionately defends the Royalist cause and the monarchy during and after the English Civil War. Evelyn's writing serves as a direct counter-argument to the rising tide of parliamentary power, especially the actions taken by the army against the crown, painting a vivid picture of the injustices and moral decline he believed plagued the nation in the absence of a king. He passionately argues against the ideas that led to the execution of King Charles I, highlighting what he sees as the tyranny and disorder of the time. This piece isn't just a political treatise; it's a heartfelt plea for the restoration of the monarchy, framed with sharp critiques and appeals to divine order, reflecting Evelyn's deep concern for a country spiraling into chaos.