Louise de Kéroualle, Duchess of Portsmouth

Events of 1679back to top

Current affairs

Cavalier Parliament dissolves over the exclusion crisis - removing James, Duke of York from the line of succession. First of three 'Exclusion Parliaments' assembles; William Russell, Lord Bedford, member of the nascent Whig party, introduces an Exclusion Bill.
James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, suppresses rebellious Scottish covenanters at Bothwell Bridge.

Art and science

An adaptation of Sophocles's Oedipus is published, a collaboration between poet laureate, John Dryden and playwright, Nathaniel Lee. It becomes a hugely successful stage production during the Restoration period.
Composer, Henry Purcell, becomes organist of Westminster Abbey.

International

The daughter of Henrietta Anne of England and Philippe, Duke of Orleans, Marie Louise d'Orleans, marries Charles II of Spain. It was hoped the marriage would improve relations between France and Spain who had previously been at war over the Spanish Netherlands.

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