Central Government and the Localities

English politics in the decade which followed the revelation of the Popish Plot in the autumn of 1678 were characterized by confusion and crisis. These hectic years saw the break-up of one opposition, the country coalition of the 1670s, a rallying to the Crown in the early 1680s and the dissipation of this support and the creation of a new opposition by James II, in the latter part of the decade. The stronger central government became under Charles II, the more positive support it obtained in the localities, and conversely the weakness and unpopularity of James' regime grew simultaneously. More centralized and authoritarian government was not necessarily unpopular in the provinces of England and independence of provincial opinion as enjoyed by James II, far from being an asset, was merely a symptom of the decadence of his regime.

The revelation of the Popish Plot seems to have caused genuine panic in some parts of Hampshire, and in the winter of 1678–9 the country coalition looked formidable. In the attack on Danby, the opposition could deploy the accumulated local and personal resentments against his ministry. Indeed, some office-holders connected with Hampshire such as Sir Robert Howard and Sir Robert and Sir John Holmes voted for Danby's impeachment in the last days of the Cavalier Parliament.

As the old Parliament gave way to a general election early in 1679, several opposition leaders were involved in promoting like-minded candidates in Hampshire.