* The English Civil War: The English Civil War (1642-1651) was a major political and military conflict between the supporters of King Charles I and those of Parliament. The war ended with the execution of Charles I and the establishment of a republic. Many of the English who had settled in America were royalists who had supported Charles I during the war. After the war, they returned to England to support the restored monarchy.
* The Glorious Revolution: The Glorious Revolution (1688) was a bloodless coup d'état that replaced King James II with his daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange. James II had been a Catholic, and many of the English colonists in America were Protestant. They feared that James II would try to impose Catholicism on the colonies, and so they returned to England to support the Protestant William and Mary.
* Economic opportunities: The English economy improved significantly in the late 17th and early 18th centuries. This made it possible for many English people to return to England and live comfortably.