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.
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D26467
by Frederick Hendrik van Hove
line engraving, 17th century
NPG D18534
after Unknown artist
etching, 17th century
NPG D20917
after Unknown artist
line engraving, early 17th century
NPG D26420
published by Balthasar Moncornet, after Jan van den Hoeck (Hoecke)
line engraving, published circa 1625-1650
NPG D18935
by Wenceslaus Hollar, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D26416
by George Glover
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26418
after Unknown artist
stipple and line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26419
possibly by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
etching and line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26422
possibly by William Faithorne, published by Sir Robert Peake
etching and line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D26427
by Cornelis van Dalen
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D28649
by Richard Gaywood, after Adriaen Hanneman
etching, mid 17th century
NPG D28650
by John Chantry, published by Peter Stent, after William Faithorne
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D29258
by Frederick Hendrik van Hove, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt, published by Richard Chiswell
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D29268
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid to late 17th century
NPG D29273
by Robert White
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D29280
after Unknown artist
line engraving with some hand-colouring, on vellum, mid 17th century
NPG D29283
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D29282
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D29286
after Unknown artist
line engraving, mid 17th century
NPG D29287
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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