Charles II

Charles II was born on 29 May 1630 and died on 6 February 1685. He was King of Great Britain, Scotland, and Ireland from 1660 until 1685 whose restoration to the throne marked the end of republican rule in England. The years of his reign are known in English history as the Restoration period. The Restoration marked the re-establishment of the monarchy in 1660 after the Interregnum. This period brought significant changes to British politics.

Childhood and Exile Charles II eldest son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France was born at St. James’s Palace in London. Charles II spend most of his childhood in England and his care and education became an issue of political significance because his mother was known for promoting the interests of France and the Roman church which stood in contrast to England. Parliament was afraid that he converted to Catholicism. In 1642 when the English Civil War broke out Charles I took his son, who was 12 at that time, with him and sent his wife to The Hague. Charles II spent then most of the war on his father’s side and fought for him. But in 1645 Charles I ordered him to escape capture and move to France to his mother. While he was in exile he learnt of his father’s execution and the parliament of Scotland proclaimed Charles II king due to the prerogatives. However, England did not accept it and entered the so-called English Interregnum, and the country was led by Oliver Cornwell. Charles II did not like that at all, felt betrayed by the English and wanted revenge for his father’s death. Therefore, in 1650 he made a deal with the Scots and invaded with their army England but was defeated by Cornwell at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. This defeat led him into exile again for nine years. Cornwell’s death in 1658 lead to political crises which resulted in the restoration of the monarchy and Charles II was invited back by England in 1660 to reclaim his throne.

Charles Reign On May 29, 1660, his 30th birthday, Charles II returned to London. His return was celebrated with street ceremonies and a parade, and it seemed that everyone was happy as they celebrated the return of his monarch. With Charles II acceptance to the throne, he agreed to the Declaration of Breda which was written in April 1660. This declaration was written by Charles II and three advisors and pardoned the crimes committed in the period of the Interregnum and the English Civil War. However, Charles wanted those who were directly responsible for his father’s death would not be pardoned. This included John Lambert and Henry Vane the younger. Charles II promised with his signature to rule in cooperation with parliament

Death Charles died on February 6, 1685, without any heirs. Although he had several illegitimate children with various mistresses, he had non with his wife. On his death bed he converted to Catholicism like he has promised to the French King Louis XIV.

Memory of Charles II The arrival of Charles II saw many people as a return to power to a great relief after the highly turbulent period that preceded it. He was known as a tolerant ruler and granted religious freedom to Catholics and Protestants. The upper class profited a lot from him because indulgence, exuberance and pleasure became the new aspiration for them. Theatres were re-opened with women on the stage for the first time, public taverns were drawing, the court hosted parties and encounters and in general people were granted much more liberties. For all these reason Charles got the nickname ‘Merry Monarch’ by Clarendon’ son, Laurence, First Lord of the Treasury. Although many people saw Charles’ return as a positive thing, there were many who saw him as an embarrassment to the country and to the monarchy. The reason for that was that Charles despised paperwork and whenever possible he passed on official administration to his ministers. Instead, he enjoyed the pleasure of his court and mistresses. He spent much money on them and his illegitimate children mostly drawing funds from the privy purse at the expanse of the country.