Charles II of England

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

Cast gold medal of Charles II Stuart

Charles II (de Champaigne)

The arrival of King Charles II of England in Rotterdam, may 24 1660 (Lieve Pietersz. Verschuier, 1665)

Charles II by John Michael Wright

Charles II
Title	King of England, Scotland, and Ireland
Reign	29 May 1660 – 6 February 1685
Coronation	23 April 1661
Predecessor	Charles I
Successor	James II
Spouse	Catherine of Braganza
Issue	James Scott, Duke of Monmouth (illegitimate) and others
Full Name
House	House of Stuart
Father	Charles I of England
Mother	Henrietta Maria of France
Birth Date	29 May 1630
Birth Place	St James's Palace, London, England
Death Date	6 February 1685 (aged 54)
Death Place	Whitehall Palace, London, England
Burial Date
Burial Place	Westminster Abbey

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

• English Civil War
• Restoration (England)
• Great Plague of London
• Great Fire of London
• James II of England
• House of Stuart

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