King Charles II and Colonel William Carlos (Careless) in the Royal Oak

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by Isaac Fuller
oil on canvas, 1660s?
83 3/4 in. x 124 1/4 in. (2127 mm x 3156 mm)
Purchased, 1979
Primary Collection
NPG 5249

Sittersback to top

William Carlos (Careless) (died 1689), Royalist soldier. Sitter in 4 portraits. Identify
King Charles II (1630-1685), Reigned 1660-85. Sitter associated with 295 portraits. Identify

Artistback to top

Isaac Fuller (1606-1672), Painter. Artist or producer associated with 12 portraits, Sitter in 3 portraits.

This portraitback to top

The third of a set of five scenes that commemorate Charles II's dramatic escape from Parliamentarian forces following his defeat in the final battle of the civil wars. King Charles I was executed in 1649 and two years later his son Charles returned from exile in an attempt to regain the throne. He rallied his supporters at Worcester but on 3 September 1651 the royalists were decisively defeated by Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army. For the next six weeks the fugitive evaded Parliamentarian forces by travelling in disguise between a succession of safe houses. A reward of £1000 was offered for his capture and anyone caught helping him faced execution. With the aid of a network of royalist supporters, he finally sailed for France on 15 October. Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 and the story of his daring escape nine years earlier became a cornerstone of Royal propaganda. Episodes such as the king taking refuge in the 'Royal Oak' passed into popular culture through written accounts, plays and prints. However, the scale and ambition of Isaac Fuller's painted treatment of the narrative is unique.

This picture shows the most celebrated episode of Charles II's escape. Having met earlier in the day, the king and Colonel Careless take shelter in an oak tree in Boscobel Wood. After three days on the run, Charles sleeps as Colonel Careless vigilantly watches over him.

Linked publicationsback to top

Audio Guide
Ollard, Richard, Pepys and his Contemporaries, 2015, p. 42
Saywell, David; Simon, Jacob, Complete Illustrated Catalogue, 2004, p. 117
Schama, Simon, The Face of Britain: The Nation Through its Portraits, 2015-09-15, p. 365
Waterhouse, Ellis Kirkham, The dictionary of 16th & 17th century British painters, 1988, p. 93

Placesback to top

Place portrayed: United Kingdom: England, Shropshire (The oak tree, Boscobel Wood)

Portrait setback to top

Charles II's escape after the Battle of Worcester, 1651: paintings by Isaac Fuller, 1660s?

Subjects & Themesback to top

Events of 1661back to top

Current affairs

The Cavalier Parliament, with pro-royalist-Anglican majority, begins passing legislation to enforce conformity to the restored Church of England. These statues became known as the 'Clarendon Code', named after, Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, erroneously, since Clarendon favoured a more tolerate approach.
Coronation of Charles II in Westminster Abbey.

Art and science

Prince Rupert, Count Palatine, the earliest practitioner of mezzotint engraving in England, demonstrates the technique to diarist John Evelyn.
The Sceptical Chymist by natural philosopher, Robert Boyle is published; in it Boyle argues for a more philosophical approach to the study of nature by 'chymists'.

International

The marriage treaty of Charles II and Catherine of Braganza, sister of the Afonso VI, King of Portugal is concluded. Catherine's dowry brings Mumbai and Tangiers into British possession, as well as free trade with Brazil and the East Indies. England, in return, would provide military protection for Portugal.

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