At first sight this aspect of Aphra’s view of the world appears surprising – it is clear that she believed that there was a social class of “natural” rulers, including the Royal family, the nobility and gentry. Responsibilty and taking power are what they are there for. To make sense of this, it is necessary to remember not only that Aphra’s family and friends as she grew up were Royalist, but that her teenage years were overshadowed by the effects of the wars. These included not only strife and uncertainty but food shortages, housing shortages (according to one estimate around a third of all housing was destroyed in the west country and midlands) – and a higher proportion of the population was killed in the civil wars than was to be killed in the First World War. There was also a long period of disruption, poverty because of failed businesses and family and relationship breakdown because of political differences.