Charles II of England

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Charles II Prince of Wales Egmont
William Dobson - Charles II, 1630 - 1685. King of Scots 1649 - 1685. King of England and Ireland 1660 - 1685 (When Prince of Wales, with a page) - Google Art Project
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Cast gold medal of Charles II Stuart
Charles II (de Champaigne)
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The arrival of King Charles II of England in Rotterdam, may 24 1660 (Lieve Pietersz. Verschuier, 1665)
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Charles II by John Michael Wright


Charles II
King of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Reign29 May 1660 – 6 February 1685
Coronation23 April 1661
PredecessorCharles I
SuccessorJames II
Born29 May 1630
St James's Palace, London, England
Died6 February 1685 (aged 54)
Whitehall Palace, London, England
Burial
SpouseCatherine of Braganza
IssueJames Scott, Duke of Monmouth (illegitimate) and others
HouseHouse of Stuart
FatherCharles I of England
MotherHenrietta Maria of France


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. His reign marked the Restoration period, following the Interregnum after the English Civil War and the execution of his father.

Early Life[edit | edit source]

Charles was born at St James's Palace in London. During the English Civil War, he was forced to flee to mainland Europe after the defeat of the Royalist forces. He spent his exile in various locations, including France, the Dutch Republic, and the Spanish Netherlands.

Restoration[edit | edit source]

In 1660, following the collapse of the Protectorate under Richard Cromwell, Charles was invited to return to England and was restored to the throne. His return marked the beginning of the Restoration period. He was crowned at Westminster Abbey on 23 April 1661.

Reign[edit | edit source]

Charles II's reign was marked by several significant events, including the Great Plague of London (1665–1666) and the Great Fire of London (1666). His foreign policy included involvement in the Second Anglo-Dutch War and the Third Anglo-Dutch War. Domestically, his reign saw the passage of the Clarendon Code and the Test Act.

Personal Life[edit | edit source]

Charles II married Catherine of Braganza in 1662, but the marriage produced no legitimate heirs. He had numerous mistresses and illegitimate children, the most notable being James Scott, Duke of Monmouth.

Death and Succession[edit | edit source]

Charles II died on 6 February 1685 at Whitehall Palace and was succeeded by his brother, James II. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Charles II is remembered for his lively court and the cultural flourishing that occurred during his reign, often referred to as the Merry Monarch period. His reign also saw the establishment of the Royal Society.

Related Pages[edit | edit source]

Template:British-monarchs


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