Tories

Political Party which emerged during the Exclusion Crisis. Forerunner of the modern Conservative Party, whose members are still known as Tories.

In the 17th century, Tories supported the King, his prerogatives and the Divine Right of kings. Consequently, they were associated with tradition, hierarchies, High Church and conservatism. In the first half of the 18th century, Tories were sometimes suspected of Jacobitism - a result of their conservative stance. Although this held true for some, most Tories supported the Hanoverian succession. Nonetheless, the governments were usually formed by Whig politicians, the supposedly "natural" choice of the Hanoverians.

In the 19th century, government regularly changed between Tories and Whigs. Both Robert Peel and Benjamin Disraeli were eminent Tory Prime Ministers.