The dissolution of the Cavalier Parliament by King Charles II came at a time when political dynamics in England were shifting significantly. The Cavalier Parliament, appointed in 1661, was largely supportive of the royal authority and maintained a pro-royalist stance. However, as political currents began to flow in various directions, especially with the emergence of opposing factions such as the Whigs and Tories, the parliament found itself in a position of increasing tension with the crown. The year 1679 was particularly fraught as fears regarding the succession and the potential for a Catholic monarchy intensified public debate and discord.

In the face of growing dissatisfaction towards his administration and the mounting tensions within the parliament itself, Charles II decided to dissolve the Cavalier Parliament. This act was also a strategic move to reassert his control over legislative matters and minimize challenges from a potentially adversarial assembly. His decision elicited a mix of responses from various factions; some viewed it as a necessary royal assertion, while others saw it as a tyrannical attempt to stifle legislative independence.

The dissolution led to the calling of new elections, which would usher in a more contentious assembly, thereby heralding a new phase in the political landscape of England, as parties solidified their positions and agendas ahead of the upcoming legislative session. This decision exemplified the ongoing struggle for power between the monarchy and parliament that characterized the Restoration period.