King Charles II
(1630-1685), Reigned 1660-85Sitter associated with 295 portraits
When civil war broke out in 1642, the heir to the throne Prince Charles was only twelve. He courageously engaged in the fighting for the next four years and, on one occasion when advised to retreat, cried 'I fear them not'. He was eventually sent abroad for safety in 1646. His attempt to invade England in 1651 ended in disaster at the Battle of Worcester when he was sheltered by Royalists until he finally escaped back to France. He was restored to the throne in 1660, amid great rejoicing, but with limitations on his powers. He became adept at out-manoeuvring the opposition to his policies, particularly in matters of religion and foreign affairs. The second half of his reign was marked by war with the Dutch after the Royal African Company, which had a monopoly of the Transatlantic slave trade, began to capture Dutch slave-trading posts in 1667. The company was founded by a royal charter issued by Charles in 1672 and was led by his brother, James Duke of York. In 1685, James succeeded as King James II, as although Charles had fathered fourteen children by his mistresses, he had no legitimate heir.
by Michael Vandergucht, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1713
NPG D18494
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1715-1724
NPG D7871
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1715-1724
NPG D16277
The Sovereigns of England, part 2
by John Carwitham, printed and published by Richard Caldwell, after Unknown artist
mezzotint, circa 1723-1741
NPG D34142
by Bernard Picart (Picard), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1724
NPG D29257
by Bernard Picart (Picard), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1728
NPG D29274
by Sir Robert Strange, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, mid 18th century (1635)
NPG D26447
King Charles II (The trial crown piece of Charles II)
by Francis Perry, after Thomas Simon
line engraving, mid 18th century (1663)
NPG D29265
English Medals including King Charles II, Catherine of Braganza and King James II
by Charles Hall
etching, mid 18th century
NPG D29266
by Robert Sheppard, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1733
NPG D32289
by Robert Sheppard, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, published 1733
NPG D10929
by George Vertue, after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, 1736
NPG D32288
by George Vertue, after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, 1736
NPG D29259
King Charles I; Henrietta Maria; King Charles II; Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
by Bernard Baron, published by John Boydell, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching and line engraving, 1741 (1632)
NPG D32111
King Charles I, Henrietta Maria, King Charles II; Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange
by Bernard Baron, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching and line engraving, 1741 (1632)
NPG D26449
Three Eldest Children of Charles I
by Sir Robert Strange, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 1750s-1780s (1635)
NPG D32118
Three Eldest Children of Charles I
by Richard Purcell (H. Fowler, Charles or Philip Corbutt), after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, mid 18th century (1635)
NPG D9088
Five Children of King Charles I
by Richard Cooper, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
line engraving, 1762 (1637)
NPG D32119
after Samuel Woodforde
line engraving, late 18th to early 19th century
NPG D26374
by Bonnefoy, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
stipple engraving, late 18th century (1632)
NPG D32113
Related People
- Queen Anne (niece)
- Anne of Denmark (grandmother)
- Princess Anne (sister)
- Hon. Augustus Henry Archibald Anson (grandson)
- James Beauclerk (son)
- Catherine of Braganza (wife)
- King Charles I (father)
- Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond and Lennox (son)
- Charles FitzRoy, Duke of Cleveland (son)
- Mary Radcliffe (née Tudor), Countess of Derwentwater (daughter)
- Princess Elizabeth (sister)
- George Fitzroy, 2nd Duke of Northumberland (son)
- Henry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton (son)
- Henrietta Anne, Duchess of Orleans (sister)
- Henry, Duke of Gloucester (brother)
- King James I of England and VI of Scotland (grandfather)
- King James II (brother)
- James Scott, Duke of Monmouth and Buccleuch (son)
- Charlotte Lee (née Fitzroy), Countess of Lichfield (daughter)
- Henrietta Maria (mother)
- Mary, Princess Royal and Princess of Orange (sister)
- Charles FitzCharles, Earl of Plymouth (son)
- Charles Beauclerk, 1st Duke of St Albans (son)
- Anne Frederica (née Anson), Countess of Wemyss (granddaughter)
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