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 Wenceslaus Hollar, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching, 1649
NPG D18444
after Unknown artist
woodcut, circa 1649
NPG D18448
by Frederik Bouttats the Younger, after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, (1649)
NPG D18449
by Frederik Bouttats the Younger, after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, (1649)
NPG D18450
after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, (1649)
NPG D18451
by Frederik Bouttats the Younger, after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, (1649)
NPG D18452
after Unknown artist
woodcut, circa 1649
NPG D18484
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1649
NPG D18489
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1649
NPG D18488
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1649
NPG D18487
after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, (1649)
NPG D18491
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D22685
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D22695
Portrait of a young boy formerly catalogued as King Charles II
by and published by Wallerant Vaillant
mezzotint, circa 1650-1675
NPG D30443
by Peter van Lisebetten (Lysebetten, Liesebetten), after Peter van Lint
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D18453
probably after Philippe de Champaigne
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D18454
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D18455
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1650s-1660s
NPG D18475
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1650s-1660s
NPG D18476
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1650s-1660s
NPG D18477
after Unknown artist
line and stipple engraving, 1650s-1660s
NPG D18478
George Monck, 1st Duke of Albemarle; King Charles II
by Adriaen Melaer, after Unknown artist, by Frederik Bouttats the Younger, after Wallerant Vaillant
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D18510
after Gerrit van Honthorst
line engraving, (circa 1650)
NPG D18492
after Gerrit van Honthorst
line engraving, (circa 1650)
NPG D18493
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D18530
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1650s
NPG D18504
by Cornelis Visscher, published by Pieter Claesz Soutman, after Gerrit van Honthorst
line engraving, 1650
NPG D19064
by and published by Wallerant Vaillant
mezzotint, circa 1650-1675
NPG D19844
Henry Lascelles; Jane (née Lane), Lady Fisher; King Charles II
probably by or after Stefano della Bella
etching, circa 1651-1664
NPG D21417
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1653
NPG D18456
by Cornelis van Caukercken, after Abraham Diepenbeeck
line engraving, published 1658
NPG D32294
by Wallerant Vaillant, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
mezzotint, 1658-1677 (1632)
NPG D638
by and published by William Faithorne
line engraving, early 1660s
NPG D22682
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1660
NPG D22681
by and published by William Faithorne
line engraving, early 1660s
NPG D22683
probably by William Faithorne, published by Robert Gibs (Gibbes or Gibbs)
line engraving, circa 1660
NPG D22684
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D22686
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D22687
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D22688
by William Faithorne
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D22696
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1660s-1670s
NPG D22697
Royall History Compleated 1660
by Unknown artist
line engraving, published circa 1660
NPG D22745
Charles II addressing the States General, the members all standing (King Charles II)
by Theodor Matham, after Jacob Toorenvliet
line engraving, circa 1660-1676
NPG D32321
Charles II addressing the States General, the members seated (King Charles II)
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1660-1676
NPG D32322
Charles II addressing the States General, the members seated (King Charles II)
after Unknown artist
line engraving, circa 1660-1676
NPG D32323
Henry Lascelles, King Charles II, Jane (née Lane), Lady Fisher
by Unknown artist
etching, possibly 1660s
NPG D29192
by Frederick Hendrik van Hove, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1660s-1670s
NPG D29252
by Abraham Hertochs (Hertocks)
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D29260
by David Loggan, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D29261
published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, published circa 1660
NPG D29262
Charles II addressing the States General, the members all standing (King Charles II)
by Theodor Matham, after Jacob Toorenvliet
line engraving, circa 1660-1676
NPG D29270
by Frederick Hendrik van Hove, after Unknown artist
line engraving, 1660s-1670s
NPG D29275
by Abraham Hertochs (Hertocks)
line engraving, 1660s
NPG D29278
by Pieter de Jode I, after Gonzales Coques (Cockes, Cocx, Cox)
line engraving, published 1660
NPG D29284
King Charles II (Banquet given in his honour by the States of Holland)
by Pieter Philippe, after Jacob Toorenvliet
line engraving, circa 1660-1676
NPG D32324
by Frederik Bouttats the Younger, after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D10637
probably after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, circa 1660-1685
NPG D42233
Departure from Holland to England (King Charles II)
by Pieter Hendricksz Schut
engraving, 1660 or after
NPG D1329
King Charles II ('The Return of the Monarchy')
by David Loggan
engraving, published 1660
NPG D1332
by Cornelis van Dalen the Younger, after Pieter Nason
line engraving, early 1660s
NPG D18462
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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