Sleepy History - Charles II and the Stuart Restoration: Why Did England Kill One King and then Crown His Son?

Episode Date: August 9, 2026

✨Sleepy History is written and narrated by humans. ✨ Narrated By: Simon Mattacks Written By: Jo Steer Learn about King Charles II’s struggle to take the throne in the aftermath of the English Civil War, and the rich culture of Restoration England. Narrated by our beloved Simon Mattacks, allow the rich history of Charles II and the Stuart Restoration to bring you to a deep sleep. Includes mentions of: British History, Death, Religious Traditions, Violence, War #History #Sleep #Charles #2nd #Stuart #Restoration #British #UK About Sleepy History Explore history's most intriguing stories, people, places, events, and mysteries, delivered in a supremely calming atmosphere. If you struggle to fall asleep and you have a curious mind, Sleepy History is the perfect bedtime companion. Our stories will gently grasp your attention, pulling your mind away from any racing thoughts, making room for the soothing music and calming narration to guide you into a peaceful sleep. Want to enjoy Sleepy History ad-free? Start your 7-day free trial of Sleepy History Premium: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sleepyhistory.supercast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Have feedback or an episode request? Let us know at: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠slumberstudios.com/contact⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Sleepy History is a production of Slumber Studios. To learn more, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.slumberstudios.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

King Charles II came to power after one of the most chaotic periods in British history. The country had endured a tumultuous civil war and seen their king executed as a traitor. England had been a republic for 11 years, until this too devolved into chaos, opening the door for the king's return. But what would Charles do to restore faith in the monarchy? And would he avoid making the same mistakes as his father? What was life like in Restoration England after years of military rule? Tonight, we'll find out.

So just relax and let your mind drift as we explore the sleepy history of Charles II and the Stewart Restoration. It's the 29th of May 1660 and a great celebration is underway in London. The city streets have been decorated with banners and flowers and are filled with cheering crowds. Thousands of people have come out to watch as Charles II enters the capital, riding on horseback at the front of a procession. Some throw rose petals like confetti, calling God save the king as he passes by. For most, it's a day of unbridled joy, as well as reliant. and hope for the future. After the Civil War and then the moral policing of the Republic,

these festivities mark a welcome change. It's a double celebration for Charles himself, the King having arrived in London on his 30th birthday. Yet, he no doubt also feels a sense of trepidation, considering the task ahead of him now. Of all the kings in British history, few have had to have had to work Few have had to walk such a political tightrope between monarchy and government, Protestants and Catholics, and between his own past and his hopes for the future.

Tonight, we'll explore the story of Charles II's life and how he walked that tightrope. But first, let's go back and take a brief look at the events that shape the Stuart's world. Firstly, the decision of King Henry VIII to break away from Rome and form the Protestant Church of England. For a thousand years, England had looked to the Pope as the one true authority over matters of the soul. But from 1534, with the act of supremacy, the monarch assumed power over both spiritual and secular affairs. Henry had triggered the English Reformation, and with it centuries of religious turmoil. The Tudors and then the Stuarts would face rebellions and intrigues, as Catholics and Protestants continued to fight for power.

By 1625, when Charles I became king, the Protestant church was more clearly established. In the government, there were an increasing number of rules. radicals, known as Puritans, men who lived by a strict moral code. They took their name from their desire to purify England, by removing any trace of Catholicism altogether. On the whole, Catholics were looked at with suspicion, especially after the failed gumpowder plot just 20 years before. The conspirators had nearly succeeded in blowing up Parliament killing King James I and countless others. Instead, the plot had been exposed and done irreparable damage to the Catholic's reputation.

It's for this reason that Charles I's choice of wife put him immediately at loggerheads with his own government. Less than a month into his reign, he married Henrietta Maria of France, a devout Catholic. It would be the first of many escalating tensions between the king and his supporters and the English Parliament. At the heart was a conflict that went beyond religion. It was a question of how the country should be governed. While Charles I sometimes attempted to engage with Parliament, there were frequent clashes, Seeing himself as God's chosen ruler, Charles was often reluctant to compromise. Throughout his reign, he became increasingly autocratic, flouting long-established laws meant to limit the monarch's power.

He raised revenue without Parliament's consent and had his political opponents arrested. And when Parliament wouldn't submit to his personal wishes, he dissolved it in favor. of ruling alone. Tensions erupted in the English Civil War. Royalists on one side, parliamentarians on the other. Beginning in 1642, it would last for nine years, taking place in three distinct phases. Initial conflicts proved mostly inconclusive, but the parliamentarians soon gained an upper hand. By 1645, they'd formed the new model army, a professional force of trained soldiers, led by Sir Thomas Fairfax and his deputy, Oliver Cromwell. By the end of the second phase of the war in 1648, the king was under arrest

and his support had mostly collapsed. Next came a parliamentary coup, which saw many moderate members prevented from entering the House of Commons. The remaining group of politicians agreed to put the king on trial. Charles I was publicly executed in 1649 as a tyrant, traitor, murderer and public enemy. In an age where monarchs were thought to be appointed by God, the execution sent shockwaves rippling across Europe. The king's son, Charles II, was said to be devastated when he heard the news of his father's death. At the time, the 18-year-old heir was living in exile in the Netherlands.

He was staying with his sister Mary and her husband, William II, Prince of Orange. Charles II had been born in 1630. He was Charles I's son by Queen Henrietta Maria. Although his mother was a Catholic, Charles II was raised a Protestant, enjoying the finest education in the land, named the Prince of Wales at eight years old. Charles's early childhood was one of extreme privilege. However, he was likely aware of his father's troubles with Parliament. Even before the outbreak of civil war, the 12-year-old Charles and his younger brother James, were actually present at the Battle of Edge Hill.

By the age of 14, Charles had his own counsel and was even named Head of the Royalist Forces in Southwest England. Though, it was likely a title without any real power. The teenage princes had spent years in Oxford, a royalist stronghold. But as their enemies gained ground, they were forced to flee, arriving in France in 1646. Charles remained there for the next two years, under the protection of the French royal court. It must have been a frustrating time, hearing news of the war through correspondence alone. He would have heard of his father's surrender to the Scottish army,

who then handed him over to the English Parliament. Later, the king escaped house arrest and fled to the Isle of Wight, where he was again held captive. Perhaps Charles knew of the secret pact his father made, enlisting the Scottish army to help reclaim his throne. This triggered the second phase of the war in 1648. At this point, Charles had travelled to the Netherlands, hoping to gain the support of his brother-in-law, William II, Prince of Orange. Charles was still there the following year, when he received news that must have seemed unimaginable. His father, King Charles I, had been sentenced to death. The monarchy had been abolished, and England made a republic.

The Commonwealth established parliamentary rule, though one born of military intervention, rather than popular consent. The problem was that for many people, the republic was both unlawful and ungodly. Even a monarchy led by a tyrant was in some ways preferable to a military-led republic. The Scottish nobility, for instance, had been at odds with Charles I from the earliest moments of his reign. But they were no less appalled by the king's execution. perceiving the Commonwealth as a threat to their independence. As such, the Scots rallied around the steward air, with the Scottish Parliament declaring Charles II,

the King of Great Britain, France and Ireland. However, Scotland's support came with some conditions. Charles had agreed to establish the Presbyterian religion across the kingdoms of England and Ireland. A form of Protestantism, entirely free of bishops, the Presbyterian faith had become integral to Scotland's national identity. After some back and forth, Charles agreed to Scotland's terms, signing the Treaty of Breda in 1650.

In June that year, he travelled to Scotland, where he moved into Falkland Palace. At this point in time, conflict was ongoing in both England and Ireland. Some Irish Catholics had united with English warlists. They planned to invade England and installed Charles on the throne. For this reason, among others, Oliver Cromwell and the New Model Army had invaded Ireland and brutally put down the rebellion. Cromwell returned to England after hearing that Charles had signed the Treaty of Breda

and that the Scots were busy reassembling their army. As commander-in-chief of the New Model Army, Cromwell marched into Scotland with 16,000 men. That was the beginning of the Anglo-Scottish War, a conflict that initially seemed to favour the Scots. But at the Battle of Dunbar, Cromwell won a decisive victory. Charles was disheartened by the defeat and the growing tensions among Scottish factions. But without other options, Charles stayed with the Scots. He was officially crowned King of Scotland on January 1, 1651.

Later that year, he marched south into England, hoping to pick up royalist support along the way. Cromwell followed, eventually cornering his opponents and defeating Charles's forces at the battle at Worcester. Legend has it that Charles hid in an oak tree before escaping to Normandy in northern France. He was lucky to be alive, but his dreams seemed dead and buried. The royalist forces had been decimated at Worcester. Charles remained in exile for the next nine years. doing his best to make alliances and drum up support. He spent time in France and the Spanish Netherlands, and occasionally made trips to the Holy Roman Empire.

All the while, he enjoyed a hedonistic lifestyle of drinking, gambling and romance. It was vastly different to the lives of his subjects across the sea, living under the strict moral laws of the Puritan Commonwealth. Cromwell's behaviour had become increasingly tyrannical over time. Frustrated by infighting, he dissolved Parliament by force and established the protectorate with himself at the head. For all intents and purposes, England, Scotland and Ireland were occupied under military rule. In Ireland in particular, the conquest was brutal, resulting in the loss of the loss of the war. of up to a fifth of the population, if not through conflict, then through famine and disease.

Scotland was also under political occupation, though it was far less brutal than the one in Ireland. In England, Puritan rule had a widespread impact. Bishops were abolished. The book of common prayer was banned, and there was an ongoing purge of Anglican royalist clergy. The public had to abide by a strict moral code, with ungodly behavior monitored by army officers known as major generals. Various forms of misbehavior were now punishable by law, including swearing, drunkenness, and sexual immorality, various activities, including travel,

games and sports were restricted. Communal gatherings were suppressed, including Christmas festivities, which were said to encourage poor behaviour and excess. This strict regulation was generally unpopular, as were the high taxes needed to fund the army. Even more money was needed, as the government became embroiled in costly wars against Spain and the Dutch Republic.

The exiled Charles was also involved. He had gained Spain's support for his restoration in exchange for helping to fund their war against France. The English subsequently sided with the French, going to war against Charles and Catholic Spain. Charles managed to assemble a motley crew of exiles whom his brother James led into battle alongside the Spanish. The army of 2,000 men lacked resources and training

and proved no match against the French and Commonwealth troops. After defeat at the Battle of the Dunes in 1658, Charles' hopes of restoration were dashed once again. However, Cromwell's death that same year perhaps gave rise to some renewed optimism. Cromwell's son Richard attempted to step in to his father's shoes, but he lacked experience to manage the warring factions. As a result, the Commonwealth quickly became unstable, and people began to fear that another war

was on the horizon. It was the prospect of an impending civil war that paved the way for Charles's return. The man who proved vital in orchestrating his return was General Monk, the governor of Scotland, Determined to avoid another civil war, Monk took matters into his own hands. His army marched south to London. Monk then forced Parliament to readmit its former members, the moderate politicians who had been expelled a decade or so before during the coup. After this, there was a general election. The first won in nearly 20 years.

All of a sudden, the government looked far less radical. Royalists and parliamentarians made up fairly even numbers, as did Presbyterians and Anglicans. By early 1660, negotiations for Charles's return were already well underway. In the Declaration of Breder, the king laid out a series of promises to his people. Those who swore loyalty would be pardoned of any crimes, except for the regicides who had signed his father's death warrant. Charles would not confiscate lands taken from the royalists in the war and would backdate the army's pay, which was currently in arrears. These promises helped Charles gain the support of those in power.

the army, banded gentry, church leaders, and politicians. In addition, promises of religious tolerance and cooperation with Parliament appealed to people across all social classes. Undoubtedly, some would have had their concerns. Not only the hardline Puritans, but also the older generations, who remembered Charles' father and the countless promises he had made. and broken. Still, welcoming a king who might rule like a tyrant ultimately proved a risk worth taking if it meant avoiding more unrest. What most craved above all else was a return

to normality, to peace and stability. This was true across all three kingdoms. Scotland, you might remember, had proclaimed Charles King shortly after his father's execution. Now, in 1660, the Irish elected to do the same, swiftly followed by the English government. Charles was still in Braida when he received the news he'd longed for. The English Parliament had proclaimed him king and invited him to return home after years in exile. He set out from the Netherlands shortly after, travelling by ship to the port town of Dover, before riding on to London at the head of a procession. The 29th of May would become an annual public holiday

named Oak Apple Day in Charles' honour. This was a reference to the king's escape in the Civil War when he was said to have evaded capture by hiding in an oak tree. The king's arrival to carnival-like celebrations demonstrated the relief felt throughout the country. After 20 years of chaos and conflict, military occupation and moral policing,

Charles' reign seemed like the beginning of better times. But it would begin with more bloodshed, as Charles sought retribution against his father's killers. Punishments ranged from executions to life imprisonment, or, at the very least, exclusion from public office. The bodies of Oliver Cromwell and a few others were subjected to a symbolic, posthumous decapitation. Exacting retribution against the men who'd killed his father

was a means of rectifying the nation's past wrongs. But it was one of the few things Charles could do, so much else being outside of his control. What the king couldn't change, and what none could deny, was that concepts around monarchy had fundamentally changed. While much of Europe was moving towards absolutism, whereby the monarch enjoyed unlimited power, England's trajectory seemed quite different. Political debates and writings explored a then revolutionary idea, that the sovereign of a state wasn't above the law.

The monarch should rule in accordance with the will of the people. And if they didn't, the consequences might be fatal. Charles II was all too aware of this fact, considering the fate that had befallen his father. He knew that he had to improve the relationship between the crown and the government. Charles began by re-establishing the House of Lords, made up of bishops and the nobility. Its members lent towards being royalist, which is why it had been abolished during the Commonwealth. In order for bills to pass into law, they had to be agreed to in both parliamentary chambers,

the House of Lords and the House of Commons. In the Commons, members of Parliament or MPs were elected representatives from across the country. They were generally wealthy, confident and educated individuals, and much more likely to be critical of the King. But the Parliament that first met in 1661 was dominated by Royalists and Anglicans. It was dubbed the Cavalier Parliament, the name given to royalists during the Civil War. Charles had promised a degree of religious tolerance. But an Anglican government meant that he was under constant pressure to crack down on any kind of religious non-conformity. The king was between a rock and a harplace, feeling that he had to keep Parliament on side.

As such, he assented to a number of laws which established the dominance of the Church of England. The statutes introduced between 1661 and 1665 included the removal of nonconformists from local government and the clergy. Unauthorized religious gatherings of five or more people were banned. Life was made significantly more difficult for people who didn't subscribe to Anglican doctrine and worship. During Charles's reign, there were also changes in fashion, while Puritans dressed plainly, often wearing black,

Charles's courtiers were glamorous and colourful. Both sexes donned wigs and extravagant clothing. Women's fashions in particular became more risque. Revealing dresses paralleled a loosening of morals among the English elite. Perhaps it was a reaction against Puritanism. As we mentioned earlier, Charles had a hedonistic streak. Many people were genuinely concerned by the scandalous gossip coming out of the palace.

For the monarch to have mistresses was nothing new, but to be so indiscreet was controversial. Charles fathered at least 12, illegitimate children. Somewhat unusually, he acknowledged them publicly and gave them land and titles. The king's behavior put a strain on his marriage to his Portuguese wife, Catherine of Braganza. Best known today for introducing tea to Britain, she was shy, respectable, and a devout Catholic. Their marriage in 1662 had brought many benefits. including a sizable dowry and new territories abroad.

What's more, forming an alliance with the Portuguese Empire meant better access to their expansive trade network. Such rewards were enough to stifle concerns about a Catholic queen sitting on the throne. Nonetheless, Catherine would face periods of hostility whenever anti-Catholic feeling rose up in the country. She was considered a bad omen in times of hardship and blamed for losses in war and natural disasters. Her inability to produce an air was another point against her.

But, as we've mentioned, Charles had many children with other women. His favorite mistress, Barbara Villiers, is thought to have had five of his children. She's been referred to as the uncrowned queen because of her influence. At one point, Catherine even had to accept Villiers as one of her ladies in waiting. Still, Charles appears to have cared about Catherine. He vigorously defended her innocence in 1678 when she was falsely accused of plotting to kill him, and their relationship warmed over the years. an affectionate bond developing between them.

The king was said to be fond of his wife's company, finding comfort in her gentle nature, particularly in times of crisis. A number of those crises came fairly early on, beginning with the great plague in 1665. At its peak, the epidemic killed 7,000 people a week, spreading from the capital to other regions in English. By the following year, the disease had mostly subsided when London was struck by another disaster.

A fire that began in a bakery quickly spread throughout the city, burning over a period of four days. It laid waste to more than 13,000 houses and 87 churches, including St. Paul's Cathedral. The great fire of London destroyed much of the medieval city. Tens of thousands of Londoners were now homeless. Some camped in parks while others left the capital. Charles had personally directed attempts at firefighting and orchestrated relief efforts after the fire. He also backed efforts to rebuild London,

making it safer and more hygienic than it had been before. Indeed, the king's reputation might be said to have improved as a result of his efforts during and after the Great Fire. Charles proved that while he was easygoing, he could step up and take action when needed. Unfortunately, his reputation was about to take another hit, with England's failure in the Anglo-Dutch War. The first conflict had taken place during the Commonwealth, stemming from a trade rivalry between the two nations.

There were further conflicts during Charles's reign, including a war between 1665 and 67. Although things had looked promising at the start of the conflict, the Great Plague and Fire of London hampered the economy. and made war increasingly unsustainable. Peace negotiations were underway, albeit slowly, when the Dutch Republic mounted a surprise attack. Sailing inland via the River Thames,

they made it onto the River Medway in Southeast England. There they set fire to anchored warships, destroying some of the Navy's most prestigious vessels. They even towed away the king's flagship vessel, taking it home to the Netherlands as a war trophy. A humiliated Charles was left with no option to sign a peace treaty and put an end to the war. His chief advisor, the Earl of Clarendon, became the scapegoat for the failure. He was charged with high treason and sent into exile. The power Clarendon had yielded then passed to five politicians who would dominate Parliament for the next six years.

They were known as the cabal because their initials spelled out the word, not because they were united in opinion. In truth, the men were nearly always at odds, and Charles was able to use this for his advantage. He played the ministers off against one another. making them compete for his approval. The result was more power and less accountability for the crown. Increasingly, it seemed that Charles also wanted more freedom over his own finances. The £1.2 million granted annually by Parliament had proven insufficient, especially after the crises and wars against the Dutch,

not to mention the cost of funding the King's extravagant. lifestyle. Charles used his newfound freedom to enter into a pact with France. He agreed to back the French invasion of the Dutch Republic in exchange for clandestine payments each year. He also secretly promised King Louis XIV that he would convert to Catholicism when the time was right. Whether Charles acted out of desperation because he needed money or as a means of becoming becoming less dependent on Parliament, the alliance with France caused alarm. It seemed to represent a move towards Catholic absolutism, and there was increasing tension between the King and Parliament.

Few were enthusiastic for the third Anglo-Dutch War, beginning in 1672. And after multiple defeats, Parliament refused to continue funding the war. was forced to sue for peace, having gained nothing. Britain's involvement in the war lasted for just two years, but the suspicions it sparked lasted a lot longer. Many feared a Catholic restoration, which the king seemed to confirm with the Declaration of Indulgence. Had it passed, it would have revoked laws against non-conformists,

giving greater freedom to English Catholics. As it was, Parliament demanded the bill's withdrawal, doubling down the following year by passing the Test Act. Officials had to prove that they were practising Anglicans. They had to swear an oath of allegiance, take communion in the Church of England, and deny the Catholic doctrine of transubstantiation. The King's brother James was exposed as a Catholic, and forced to be a Catholic, and forced to be a Catholic. to resign his command in the Navy. This further contributed to anti-Catholic feeling, which grew to a fever pitch in the late 1670s. We've already mentioned the so-called popish plot, in which the Queen was falsely accused of trying to poison the king. While Catherine was

safe, others weren't so lucky. A number of innocent Catholics were put to death. Around the At the same time, there was the exclusion crisis, in which some members of Parliament proposed that Charles' Catholic brother James be excluded from the line of succession. Incidentally, the crisis saw the formation of two political parties, the Whigs being pro-exclusion and the Tories against. Charles overcame the crisis by siding with the Tories. He was helped by the exposure of a Whig assassination plot, which gave him legal grounds to have his opponents punished. The king dissolved Parliament in 1681,

ruling alone for the last four years of his reign. And, granted, this might be seen as a step towards absolutism, but it could also be seen as a show of strength and centralised authority. after a turbulent reign, full of ups and downs, the king's time ended on a relative high note. Charles had managed to restore peace and overcome several crises, after inheriting a deeply fractured kingdom, nicknamed the Merry Monarch, he'd brought joy back to a country where it was sorely needed.

His reign saw the return of leisure activities and entertainers. from traditional Maypole dancing to horse racing and county fairs, everything from Christmas celebrations to gambling in the alehouse. Furthermore, Charles had overseen the rebuilding of London, and a cultural blossoming, perhaps his greatest success. Theaters, which had been closed for 18 years, reopened. A new genre emerged. Baudy satires known as Restoration Comedies. Actors included women for the first time in English history, the King granting licenses that allowed them on stage.

Under the Puritans, various art forms had ceased or stagnated, but now they were able to flourish once more. Charles invited musicians and artists back to court. He commissioned new portraits and collected fine art. Equally, there were advancements in science, thanks in part to the king's patronage of the Royal Society. Charles maintained an interest in science throughout his reign. He even had his own private laboratory at Whitehall.

He also established the Royal Mathematical School, where boys were taught mathematics and navigation. It was preparation for a life in the Navy, as England sought to become a stronger maritime power. In 1675, Charles founded the Royal Observatory at Greenwich, appointing John Flamsteed as the first Astronomer Royal. Flamsteed and his successes would collect huge amounts of data, laying the groundwork for navigation by the stars and establishing the use of Greenwich Mean Time.

Both would be key to the Navy's future progress and offer countless other benefits to the world over time. Indeed, the scientific advancements that began under Charles helped lay the foundations of massive social change, particularly in relation to the Enlightenment movement, which spread across Europe the following century. The Enlightenment saw a shift in mindset, away from the authority of religion and towards reason and scientific inquiry. There was a move towards individual liberties and the rights of the people. Inadvertently, Charles had also set the stage for England to become a constitution. constitutional monarchy. To alleviate concerns of an overly Catholic royal family, he'd agreed to a marriage between his niece Mary and the Protestant Dutch prince, William of Orange. After Charles's death in

1685, the crown passed to his brother James, but after three disastrous years of open Catholicism and autocracy, James was forced to abdicate the throne. He was replaced by his his daughter Mary and her Dutch husband William, who invaded England upon the invitation of the nobility in the so-called glorious revolution. Many had hoped that Charles would beckon in a new chapter after the turmoil of the decades before. But while he did make steps forward, restoring stability and culture, it was his niece and her husband who would truly spark change. With William and Mary, as joint Protestant rulers, concerns over Catholicism finally began to fade. After decades of religious unrest, England entered a period of relative peace and stability. What's more, the glorious revolution marked a turning point.

Power had permanently shifted from the monarchy to the government.