Charles II of England
Charles II of England (1630-85), King of Britain and Ireland from 1660, son of Charles I. After Oliver Cromwell’s death, Parliament invited Charles to return from exile in France and he was crowned in 1661. His reign is known as the Restoration. Like his father he had financial difficulties, but he retained a working relationship with Parliament during most of his reign and managed to arrange financial subsidies from Louis XIV. He was interested in science and was patron of the Royal Society, chartered in 1663. His personal charm helped him to remain a popular figure. He had a number of mistresses, the most famous of whom was the actress Nell Gwyn.
