The name of the Royalist party before, during, and after the English Civil War. Opponents used the word from about 1641 as a term of abuse: later it acquired a romantic aura in contrast to the image of puritanical Roundheads. The party, made up of all social classes, but dominated by the country gentry and landowners, was defined by loyalty to the crown and the Anglican Church. The Restoration brought the Royalists back to power—the Parliament of 1661–79 is called the Cavalier Parliament.