Charles II: Difference between revisions
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After his [[Restoration]] in 1660, he became known as the "merry monarch", only interested in wine, women, more women and the theatre. Although England suffered many defeats and catastrophes during his reign (e.g., the [[Great Plague]] in 1665 and the [[Great Fire of London]] in 1666), he proved a shrewd politician who kept the country from another Civil War (a threat that became very concrete during the [[Exclusion Crisis]], 1679-1681). Although he had many mistresses, he staid loyal to his wife, Catherine of Braganza, whom Whig politicians tried to get rid of during the Exclusion Crisis. | After his [[Restoration]] in 1660, he became known as the "merry monarch", only interested in wine, women, more women and the theatre. Although England suffered many defeats and catastrophes during his reign (e.g., the [[Great Plague]] in 1665 and the [[Great Fire of London]] in 1666), he proved a shrewd politician who kept the country from another Civil War (a threat that became very concrete during the [[Exclusion Crisis]], 1679-1681). Although he had many mistresses, he staid loyal to his wife, Catherine of Braganza, whom Whig politicians tried to get rid of during the Exclusion Crisis. | ||
On his deathbed and true to the stipulations of the Secret Treaty of Dover (1670), he converted to [[Catholicism]]. Supposed famous last words: "Remember poor Nelly". | On his deathbed and true to the stipulations of the Secret Treaty of Dover (1670), he converted to [[Catholicism]]. Supposed famous last words: "Remember [[Nell Gwyn|poor Nelly]]". | ||
Revision as of 10:42, 26 May 2010
1630-1685. Son of Charles I and Henrietta Maria of France. When his father was decapitated in 1649 and England became a Commonwealth, the Scots declared him King. The Scottish forces were beaten in the Battle of Worcester (1651) and - after an adventurous escape from the battlefield - Charles fled to the European continent and lived in France and the Netherlands (with a short stint at Cologne).
After his Restoration in 1660, he became known as the "merry monarch", only interested in wine, women, more women and the theatre. Although England suffered many defeats and catastrophes during his reign (e.g., the Great Plague in 1665 and the Great Fire of London in 1666), he proved a shrewd politician who kept the country from another Civil War (a threat that became very concrete during the Exclusion Crisis, 1679-1681). Although he had many mistresses, he staid loyal to his wife, Catherine of Braganza, whom Whig politicians tried to get rid of during the Exclusion Crisis. On his deathbed and true to the stipulations of the Secret Treaty of Dover (1670), he converted to Catholicism. Supposed famous last words: "Remember poor Nelly".