Clarendon, Earl of (1609-1674), was an English historian, politician, and statesman. He is known for his 10-volume History of the Rebellion, published in 1702-1704, after his death. In this work, he described the causes of the English Civil War of the 1640’s and the motives of the Royalists (supporters of the king) and their opponents.
Clarendon was born Edward Hyde on Feb. 18, 1609, in Dinton, England. He studied at Oxford University. He originally sided with Parliament in its dispute with King Charles I over the limits of royal power. A strong supporter of the Church of England, Clarendon joined the Royalists in 1641, after Parliament tried to reform the church and make other constitutional changes. He became a Royalist adviser in 1642.
After the Restoration of the monarchy in 1660, Clarendon became a powerful member of the government under the new king, Charles II. In 1661, he was made Earl of Clarendon. In 1667, however, he fled to France following a series of conflicts with the king. He died on Dec. 9, 1674, in Rouen, France.
