This work is a detailed study of the political relations between England and the papacy from 1858 to 1861, the decisive years for the unification of Italy. It demonstrates that two successive English governments, first the Tories under Derby and Malmesbury, then the Liberals under Palmerston and Russell, variously used the moral, diplomatic and naval power of Great Britain to contribute to the overthrow of the eleven-hundred-year old papal monarchy in central Italy. A study in diplomatic history, the book shows how British diplomacy concerning the Papal Question proceeds in full conjunction with many factors religious, political, economic, social, naval, intellectual, personal in contributing to the overthrow of the pope as monarch in central Italy.