 Charles
II (1630-1685), son of Charles I, was the first of the restored
Stuart line. His
father's quarrel with Parliament and subsequent civil war meant
that Charles II spend his youth in exile in France. This
afforded the prince a royal upbringing that was distinctly
different from the sheltered and favoured norm. He was often short
of money and frequently feared for his life. He was also free to
indulge his sexual prowess and had several mistresses and
illegitimate children whilst in exile.
In
1651, Charles invaded England with an army in an attempt to win
back his birthright. The Scots proclaimed him king, but his
forces were badly defeated by Cromwell's parliamentary army and he
fled once again to France.
After
Cromwell died in 1658, the English people became dissatisfied with
the protectorate.
They invited Charles to return, and he became king in 1660.
His first Parliament granted him wide powers.
The important events of his reign included two wars with
the Dutch, the great plague, the Great Fire of London, the Rye
House Plot, and the passage of the Habeas Corpus Act.
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