Charles II of England

Charles II became King of Scotland in 1649 and ruled until 1651.

During the Battle of Edgehill, William Harvey, as the king's chief physician, had charge of Prince Charles and the Duke of York in the morning. Later, the two princes left the battlefield for safety concerns.

In 1645, Charles II attempted to fight on behalf of his father in the west of England. This action showed his loyalty and dedication to his family.

During his exile in France, Charles continued his education in physics, chemistry, and mathematics. He studied under notable figures like John Earle and Thomas Hobbes.

In 1648, Charles II made significant efforts to save his father, Charles I. This demonstrates his commitment to his family and the monarchy.

After the execution of his father, Charles I, by the English Parliament, Charles II was proclaimed king of Scotland by the Parliament of Scotland on 5 February 1649.

The Covenanter Parliament of Scotland proclaimed Charles II as king, but refused to allow him to enter Scotland unless he agreed to establish Presbyterianism as the state religion in all three kingdoms.

On 3 September 1650, the Covenanters were defeated at Dunbar by Oliver Cromwell's forces.

On January 1, 1651, Charles II of Scotland is crowned at Scone.

After being defeated at the Battle of Worcester, Charles II of Scotland escapes from England to avoid capture by the Parliamentarian forces.

In April 1656, Charles II concluded a treaty with Spain after being unable to gain support from France and the Dutch United Provinces. This treaty marked a strategic move in his efforts to regain power and support for his cause.

In the Treaty of Breda, Charles II of Scotland pledges to uphold a free Parliament and religious tolerance in exchange for being reinstated as the English monarch.

After years of exile and negotiations, Charles II was proclaimed King of England, Scotland, and Ireland following the Restoration of the Monarchy.

In Ireland, a convention declared for Charles II earlier in the year, and on 14 May 1660, he was proclaimed king in Dublin.

On May 25, 1660, Charles II was proclaimed king after issuing the Declaration of Breda, expressing his desire for amnesty, liberty of conscience, settlement of land disputes, and payment of arrears to the army.

The monarchy is restored in England as Charles II of England makes his triumphant return after the tumultuous period of the English Civil War and Interregnum.

Charles II of England is officially crowned in Westminster Abbey, solidifying his position as the restored monarch of England.

In 1662, the Royal Society was granted a charter by Charles II of England, officially establishing it as a scientific institution.

On March 24, 1663, Charles II of England married Catherine of Braganza, a significant event in the royal history of England.

In 1663, Charles II of England granted the lands of 'Carolina' in North America to eight noblemen, marking the beginning of colonization in the region.

In 1664, England was at war with Holland and seized the Dutch settlement of New Amsterdam in North America, renaming it New York.

In June 1665, Charles II of England issued a royal charter to the Rhode Island colony, solidifying its status as a recognized settlement.

The Great Plague of London occurred in September 1665, causing a devastating outbreak of bubonic plague in the city, resulting in a high death toll and widespread fear.

During the reign of Charles II in 1666, the Great Fire of London devastated the city, destroying a large part of the medieval city of London. The fire led to significant rebuilding and modernization efforts in the city.

Charles II of England signed the Treaty of Breda in 1667, ending the Second Anglo-Dutch War. The treaty established peace between England and the Dutch Republic.

Following the Treaty of Breda, Charles II of England formed a formal alliance with Holland and Sweden in 1668. This alliance strengthened diplomatic relations between the countries.

On January 15, 1669, Samuel Pepys visited King Charles II's chemistry laboratory at Whitehall. Charles had a keen interest in chemistry and regularly conducted experiments in his private laboratory.

In 1670, Charles II of England signed a secret treaty with King Louis XIV of France, agreeing to convert to Catholicism in exchange for a pension and support. The treaty aimed to promote Catholicism and dissolve the Protestant Triple Alliance, causing controversy and tarnishing Charles II's reputation.

In 1672, Charles II advocated for the removal of penal codes against Catholics and other religious minorities, leading to disagreements with the largely Anglican Parliament. He even entered into a secret agreement with King Louis XIV of France to relax laws against Catholicism in exchange for financial support.

James, the brother of Charles II, was forced to resign as Lord Admiral after refusing to renounce his Catholicism. This revelation about the heir to the throne became public news.

By 1674, England had gained nothing from the Anglo-Dutch War, leading to the decline of the Cabal's power. The Cavalier Parliament's refusal to provide further funds forced Charles II to make peace.

In 1675, King Charles II established the Royal Observatory, which played a crucial role in the history of astronomy and navigation.

The Treaty of Dover was signed between Charles II of England and Louis XIV of France, forming an alliance against the Netherlands.

The Covenanting rising was suppressed by the Duke of Monmouth, the king's illegitimate son, at the Battle of Bothwell Bridge in Lanarkshire.

Increasing opposition to Lauderdale's corrupt government resulted in his downfall from power the following year.

A new Parliament assembled at Oxford in March 1681, but Charles II dissolved it for a fourth time after just a few days. This action reflected the ongoing political tensions and struggles during his reign.

The Rye House Plot, which aimed to replace Charles II of England with his illegitimate son, the Duke of Monmouth, was thwarted.

Charles II suffered a sudden apoplectic fit on the morning of 2 February 1685 and died four days later at the Palace of Whitehall. His death led to suspicions of poisoning, but modern medical analysis suggests it may have been due to kidney dysfunction.

Charles II passed away on February 6, 1685, in London. His reign was marked by political adaptability and acumen, steering England through religious struggles between Anglicans, Catholics, and dissenters.

The Duke of Monmouth led a rebellion against James II, but was defeated at the Battle of Sedgemoor on 6 July 1685, captured and executed.

James II was eventually dethroned in 1688, in the course of the Glorious Revolution.