29 May 1630 – 6 February 1685
House: Stuart
Titles: King of England, King of Scotland, King of Ireland, Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Prince of Wales
Charles II was the eldest surviving child of Charles I of England, Scotland, and Ireland and Henrietta Maria of France. His reign is marked by the Restoration of the monarchy after the English Commonwealth period. Despite facing defeat at the Battle of Worcester and subsequent years in exile, Charles’s monarchy was restored in 1660. He is known for his affability and the moral laxity of his court. His marriage to Catherine of Braganza was childless, but he acknowledged at least 12 illegitimate children by various mistresses.
He enacted the Clarendon Code to support the Church of England and attempted to introduce religious freedom, although it was met with resistance from Parliament. Charles’s foreign policy was notable for the Second Anglo-Dutch War, the Treaty of Dover with France, and the Third Anglo-Dutch War. His reign ended without a legitimate heir, leading to his brother James’s succession.
Death: Died at the age of 54, buried in Westminster Abbey.
Reign: 24 years and 253 days
Children: 12 illegitimate children; 0 legitimate.
Marriages: Married to Catherine of Braganza.