Charles II Biography

He was forced to flee to France in 1646, and lived in Europe with family members. His father, the King, was executed on 30th January 1649.

After his father’s death, Charles was invited to assume the throne of Scotland, on the understanding that he would sign the Scottish Covenant. He did this, being crowned on 1st January 1651.

In Scotland he also found the support to mount a challenge to Oliver Cromwell. However, he was defeated at the Battle of Worcester in 1651, and is said to have hidden in an oak tree, subsequently escaping to the continent in disguise.

He remained abroad until after the death of Oliver Cromwell. He was declared King by Parliament on 8th May 1660, and crowned at Westminster Abbey on 23rd April, 1661.

Charles’ reign was marked by a great deal of change and upheaval. His supporters sought to sweep away all the visible remnants of the Parliamentary period. Charles II dissolved Parliament itself on 24th January 1679. It was also a period of anti-Catholic sentiment and witch-hunts.

Charles was renowned for his licentiousness and for keeping mistresses, the most famous of whom was the actress, Nell Gwyn. In 1662, he had married Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess, but their marriage was childless, resulting in some uncertainty about the succession.

He died of a stroke at Whitehall Palace on the 6th February 1685. He was succeeded by his younger brother, as James II of England and James VII of Scotland.