The administration was led by three young ministers, collectively known as the chits: Laurence Hyde[2] (Earl of Rochester, 1682), Sidney Godolphin (Lord Godolphin, 1684) [3] and the Robert Spencer, 2nd Earl of Sunderland.
On the Duke of York's succession as King James II in February 1685, Rochester returned as Lord High Treasurer.
On 4 January 1687 James II dismissed Rochester and his brother the Earl of Clarendon, replacing both with Catholic appointees, Lord Belasyse (aged 72) and Lord Arundell (aged 79).
Sunderland, who served variously as Northern Secretary and Southern Secretary, and additionally as Lord President of the Council from 1685, remained in post until his dismissal by James II in October 1688, when he fled to Rotterdam.
[3] The moniker "the chits" stems from a satirical verse on the three ministers, attributed to John Dryden by Johnson's Dictionary:[6] But Sunderland, Godolphin, Lory, These will appear such chits in story, 'Twill turn all politics to jests, To be repeated like John Dory, While fiddlers sing at feasts.