1. The Assertion of English Royal Authority in the American Colonies: Sir Edmund Andros and the Dominion of New England
By: Ben Lesh

2. Thesis
After the English Civil War the Monarchy implemented a series of policies aimed at centralizing monarchical rule over the American colonies. The primary reason behind this push for centralized royal rule of the colonies was the need for new sources of royal revenue, a constant concern for the English Monarchy in the 17th Century.

3. Sir Edmund Andros’ Commission
First issued in 1686, reissued in
Sir Edmund Andros ( ).
Governmental Commission.
Authorized by King James II (r ) of England.
A list of Andros’ powers and duties as governor-in-chief and captain- general of the Dominion of New England.
Sir Edmund Andros
King James II

4. The Dominion of New England
Consolidation of Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, East Jersey and West Jersey.
The first of a series of proposed English “supercolonies”.
Andros’ government was located in Boston, but his administration was unpopular and stretched thin across the Dominion.
The end of the Dominion came in April 1689, when Andros was captured during the Boston Revolt.

5. Connection to Larger Paper
Third “phase” of post-Civil War royal plan for control of the colonies.
Peak of royal authority in the colonies in the 17th century
Brought several new sources of revenue for James II, including direct property taxation and enforcement of customs and tariffs on the trade of goods.
The Capture of Edmund Andros in 1689

6. Bibliography
“Commission to Sir Edmund Andros as governor of the Dominion of New England“ In English Historical Documents Volume IX: American Colonial Documents to 1776, edited by David C. Douglas and Merrill Jensen, Vol. IX. New York: Oxford University Press, 1964.
Dunn, Richard S. The Glorious Revolution and America. In The Origins of Empire edited by Nicholas Canny. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Lovejoy, David S. The Glorious Revolution in America. New York: Harper & Row, 1972.
“Andros a Prisoner in Boston” by F.O.C. Darley, William L. Shepard, or Granville Perkins From Pioneers in the Settlement of America, Vol. 1 by William A. Crafts. Wikimedia Commons. Accessed May 22,
“Sir Edmund Andros” by Frederick Stone Batcheller. From the Rhode Island State House collection. Wikimedia Commons. Accessed May 22,
“King James II” by Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt. From the National Portrait Gallery. Accessed May 22,
“Providence Ruled over by Sir Edmund Andros, 1688” From Historical Collections, Charles Scriberner’s Sons, Accessed May 23,