Charles II

Charles II, the eldest surviving son of Charles I, was born in 1630 and spent his early years in England. However, his childhood was disrupted by the English Civil War, which led to the execution of his father in 1649. Charles II was forced to flee England and spent the next nine years in exile in France, the Dutch Republic, and the Spanish Netherlands. He became a fugitive, hunted through England for 40 days but was protected by a handful of loyal subjects until he escaped to France. Charles II always recalled his exile years with a sense of nostalgia and longing for his homeland.

In 1660, after the death of Oliver Cromwell and the collapse of the Commonwealth, Charles II was invited back to London and restored to his father's throne, marking the Restoration of the monarchy in England, Scotland, and Ireland. The Declaration of Breda laid out the terms of restoration, and Charles II pledged to uphold the Anglican Church while allowing religious toleration. On May 14, 1660, Charles II was formally restored to his kingdoms and proclaimed King of Great Britain and Ireland. The years of his reign are known in English history as the Restoration period.

During Charles II's reign, there were significant political and social changes in England. Puritanical Protestants still had great sway in England and even more so in Scotland, while the King was personally close to many Catholics and their sympathizers. The final phase of his reign was taken up mainly with attempts to settle religious dissension. Charles II had no legitimate children, and he was well known for his numerous mistresses. Despite his personal failings, Charles II's political adaptability and knowledge of men enabled him to remain on the throne until his death in 1685.