This definitive biography of one of the most important figures of seventeenth-century England provides a detailed account of Clarendon's life, as well as a comprehensive overview of the political and cultural context in which he lived and worked. Drawing on a wealth of primary sources, the author traces Clarendon's rise to power, his role in the English Civil War and the Restoration, and his subsequent exile. With meticulous scholarship and eloquent prose, this book is a masterpiece of historical writing. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.