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 Robert Williams, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1685)
NPG D11519
by Robert Williams, published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, (1685)
NPG D18985
by Cornelius Nicolas Schurtz, after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 1689
NPG D18469
King James I of England and VI of Scotland, King Charles I and King Charles II
after Unknown artist
line engraving, probably 18th century
NPG D25717
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D28647
by Michael Vandergucht, after P. La Vergne
line engraving, early 18th century
NPG D28648
by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, early 18th century
NPG D29255
by George Vertue, after Sir Peter Lely
line engraving, early to mid 18th century
NPG D29256
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D10639
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D10640
after Unknown artist
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D10641
by Boocock
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D18458
by James Basire, after Thomas Simon
line engraving, 18th century
NPG D18543
by and published by John Smith, after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
mezzotint, 1704
NPG D11915
by Antoine Trouvain, after John Riley
line engraving, published 1706
NPG D29276
by Pierre Drevet, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, circa 1707
NPG D18498
by Pierre Drevet, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, circa 1707
NPG D18499
by Pierre Drevet, after Adriaen van der Werff
line engraving, circa 1707
NPG D18500
by Michael Vandergucht, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1713
NPG D18457
by Michael Vandergucht, after Unknown artist
line engraving, published 1713
NPG D18495
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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