A Dictionary of British and Irish History

C

CABAL

In England, nickname of ministers who gained influence under King CHARLES II following the fall of the earl of CLARENDON in 1667, so‐called from the initial letters of their names. They were: Sir Thomas Clifford, Lord ARLINGTON, the 2nd duke of Buckingham, Lord Ashley (later earl of SHAFTESBURY), and the earl of LAUDERDALE. They were not a cohesive group, and disagreed on policies, though they generally favoured religious toleration. Most lost office in 1673–4, when the earl of DANBY became pre‐eminent.

CABINET

Term for senior ministers of a country in a collective capacity (as a government or administration), or for a meeting of such ministers, usually chaired by a PRIME MINISTER. In England it derives from the practice by King CHARLES II (ruled 1660–85) of occasionally meeting a few ministers in a cabinet (a small, private room) for policy making, in preference to working with the larger PRIVY COUNCIL.

The nature and use of Cabinets developed markedly during the next 50 years. WILLIAM III (1689–1703) held regular meetings of both the Privy Council and some office‐holders, the latter called a Cabinet‐council (including officers of the royal household). He also sometimes allowed officers of State to meet separately. Queen ANNE considered the Cabinet‐council more important than the Privy Council; a small subgroup also met to prepare recommendations (see LORDS OF THE COMMITTEE). Parliament was suspicious of Cabinets and prohibited their use by future rulers (Act of ...