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.
Three Eldest Children of Charles I
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
photogravure, late 19th or early 20th century (1635)
NPG D32117
after Francis Poyntz
albumen print, circa 1887 (1670s)
NPG D32077
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
hand-coloured photogravure, published 1902 (1635)
NPG D42689
after Sir Anthony van Dyck
photogravure, published 1902 (1635)
NPG D42690
published by John Player & Sons, after John Michael Wright
colour relief halftone cigarette card, 1935
NPG D48141
after Sir Peter Lely
photograph of painting, circa 1955
NPG D32293
King Charles II ('Marine Triumph')
after Antonio Verrio
photograph of painting, circa 1960 (circa 1674)
NPG D32634
National Portrait Gallery Extension
by Michael Heath
pen and ink, 2000
NPG D21631
by Wenceslaus Hollar, published by Johannes Meyssens, after Sir Anthony van Dyck
etching, 1649
NPG D19484
by and published by William Faithorne
line engraving, early 1660s
NPG D19306
by Cornelis van Dalen the Younger, after Pieter Nason
line engraving, early 1660s
NPG D19336
by Bernard Picart (Picard), after Sir Godfrey Kneller, Bt
line engraving, 1724
NPG D19329
by Charles Turner, published by Samuel Woodburn, after Sir Peter Lely
mezzotint, published 1816
NPG D20147
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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