Charles II

Charles II of England

Charles II (29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. He was the eldest surviving son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France. Charles II's reign marked the Restoration period, following the English Civil War and the Interregnum.

Early Life

Charles was born at St James's Palace on 29 May 1630. He was the second but eldest surviving son of King Charles I and Queen Henrietta Maria. During his early years, Charles was tutored by the Bishop of Chichester, Brian Duppa, and the Earl of Newcastle, William Cavendish.

The English Civil War and Exile

During the English Civil War, Charles was appointed nominal commander of English forces in the West Country. However, after the defeat of the Royalist forces, he fled to France in 1646. Charles spent the next nine years in exile, living in various European courts, including those of France, the Dutch Republic, and the Spanish Netherlands.

The Restoration

In 1660, following the collapse of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate, Charles was invited to return to England and restore the monarchy. This event, known as the Restoration, saw Charles II crowned king on 23 April 1661 at Westminster Abbey.

Reign

Charles II's reign was marked by several significant events:

The Great Plague and the Great Fire

In 1665, London was ravaged by the Great Plague, which killed an estimated 100,000 people. The following year, the Great Fire of London destroyed much of the city, leading to extensive rebuilding efforts.

Foreign Policy and Wars

Charles II engaged in several wars during his reign, including the Second Anglo-Dutch War (1665–1667) and the Third Anglo-Dutch War (1672–1674). These conflicts were part of a broader struggle for naval supremacy and trade dominance.

The Popish Plot and the Exclusion Crisis

The latter part of Charles's reign was dominated by the Popish Plot, a fictitious Catholic conspiracy to assassinate him, and the Exclusion Crisis, which sought to exclude his Catholic brother, James, from the line of succession.

Personal Life

Charles II was known for his numerous mistresses and illegitimate children. His most famous mistresses included Barbara Villiers, Nell Gwyn, and Louise de Kérouaille. Despite his many relationships, Charles had no legitimate children with his wife, Catherine of Braganza.

Death and Legacy

Charles II died on 6 February 1685 at Whitehall Palace. He was succeeded by his brother, James II. Charles's reign is often remembered for its cultural vibrancy, the re-establishment of the monarchy, and the challenges of religious and political tensions.

See Also

• Restoration literature
• Cavalier Parliament
• Treaty of Dover

References

• Fraser, Antonia. King Charles II. Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 1979.
• Hutton, Ronald. Charles II: King of England, Scotland, and Ireland. Clarendon Press, 1989.

External Links

• Charles II at Encyclopædia Britannica