Clarendon, Edward Hyde (1609-1674)

English politician and historian, chief adviser to Charles II from 1651 to 1667. A member of Parliament in 1640, he joined the Royalist side in 1641. The Clarendon Code (1661-65), a series of acts passed by the government, was directed at Nonconformists (or Dissenters) and was designed to secure the supremacy of the Church of England.

In retirement he wrote the History of the Rebellion and Civil Wars in England 1702-04.